Mbabane: UN Eswatini has started consultative meetings to develop the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2021-2025).
The current United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF 2016-2020) is coming to an end in December 2020 and has since been renamed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework to accurately reflect the nature of the contemporary relationship between Governments and the UN Development System.
According to a press statement sent to this publication, the consultative meetings are being held at the Royal Villas at Ezulwini from 22-26 June 2020. UN Eswatini is consulting with civil society, research and academic institutions, foundations and philanthropic organizations, business community, development partners and the Government.
UNSDCF 2021-2025 is designed to be the primary instrument for planning and implementation of UN development activities in Eswatini in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Which is why the United Nations Development System in Eswatini is holding consultative meetings with various sectors as part of an inclusive process to develop a cooperation framework for the period 2021-2025.
Framework
The development of the Cooperation Framework follows the completion of an independent Common Country Analysis (CCA), which is framed around the SDGs and national priorities.
As such, the framework will capture the strengths, vulnerabilities and needs of the country and tailor the response of the UN Development System, represented by individual agencies, funds and programmes while improving existing levels of coordination, efficiency and transparency.
UN Resident Coordinator in Eswatini Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, stated that the Cooperation Framework is not just a document but the most important planning and implementation instrument for all UN development activities at the country level.
“The cooperation Framework is also United Nations commitment to the people of Eswatini, particularly the most marginalized and vulnerable as it commits the UN development system to support the achievement of national development goals and targets with a focus on leaving no one behind and supporting the development of national development frameworks in line with the 2030 Agenda while including vulnerable populations in and across all processes and programmes.”
Strategic Guidance
A Joint National and UN Steering Committee has already been established to provide strategic guidance and oversight in the development and the implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and is established at a strategic level under the leadership of the Government and the UN Resident Coordinator.
Speaking at the event Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Dr. Tambo Gina said the new framework will be aligned with national priorities, as defined in the National Development Plan 2019 – 2022. Also the framework will be aligned with the Strategic Roadmap for Economic Recovery and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021-2025 will be informed by social, cultural, economic, legislative, environmental, climate change factors and other drivers of risks, vulnerabilities and needs at the national, regional and global level.
It will also be guided by the principle of “Leave no one behind”, which is the human rights-based approach to development, as well as gender equality and women’s empowerment, sustainability and accountability principles.
Cooperation
“The Cooperation Framework begins and ends with an analysis of the full national development landscape and SDG priorities and gaps, including through the imperative to leave no one behind.”
The Cooperation Framework is designed in line with six (6) key principles, namely: (i) leaving No One Behind; (ii) human Rights Based Approach; (iii) gender equality and women’s empowerment; (iv) Resilience; (v) sustainability and (vi) accountability.
The Cooperation Framework, which is essentially a partnership and accountability framework between the UN Development System and the Government to advance Eswatini development agenda, is expected to be signed by both parties in August 2020.
