High-Level Joint Steering Committee of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework convened the virtual validation meeting of the new UNSDCF 2022-2026.

The High-Level Joint Steering Committee of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) convened the virtual validation meeting of the new Cooperation Framework 2022-2026. This framework is the blueprint outlining the UN Development System’s collective priorities and responses to assist the Maldives to address national priorities and challenges in achieving the 2030 Agenda in the next five years.

The Government and the UN have been working jointly since January 2021 to formulate the UNSDCF through a series of visioning exercises and extensive consultations with a wide range stakeholders and partners. Co-chaired by Dr. Hala Hameed, Secretary, Multilateral, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Government, and Ms. Catherine Haswell, UN Resident Coordinator in Maldives on behalf of the UN, the main aim of today’s meeting was to provide an opportunity for final discussions and validation of the UNSDCF.

Speaking at the meeting, the Government co-chair, Secretary, Multilateral, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Hala Hameed, expressed appreciation to the United Nations Country Team for the excellent work during the past four months to prepare the Cooperation Framework. She also expressed gratitude to the Government offices and other stakeholders for their meaningful contribution to the process. She noted the importance of national ownership of the Framework to reflect the priorities and aspirations of the Government.

UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Catherine Haswell thanked all stakeholders for their inputs to design an effective and impactful UN support to the Maldives, and active participation in all steps of the process to design the framework for UN support from 2022-2026. She also expressed hope that validation of the document and the joint commitment of the UN and Government will pave the way for Maldives to build back better from the pandemic and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UNSDCF High Level Steering Committee comprises of members from The President’s Office; Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Economic Development; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Environment; Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services; the Attorney-General’s Office; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The United Nations in Maldives was represented by the UN Resident Coordinator, IFAD, ILO, IOM, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS and WHO.