The Federal government on Thursday inaugurated the Steering Committee for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023 – 2027).
Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, who performed the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, also signed the framework on behalf of the government while the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Matthias Schmale, signed for his organisation.
Agba said the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework was a strategic framework that would assist Nigeria in addressing development and humanitarian challenges, leveraging UN leadership, comparative advantages and capacity assessment.
The Cooperation Framework, which is premised on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union 2063 Charter, will guide Government and all stakeholders to work together in promoting sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth and development.
The Minister of State said he was glad “that we are now able to meet regularly after the disruptions of COVID-19 towards strengthening the development partnership between the Government of Nigeria and the United Nations System.
“We remain committed to this relationship and look forward to a productive path ahead.”
According to him, “Nigeria is presently in the fifth and final year of the current United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework,” adding that, “with 2023 on the near horizon, it is time to look to the next stage of our development journey.”
Agba noted that United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027) had been conceived to support the Government and people of Nigeria in their development aspirations for the next five years.
“It is heartwarming to note the extensive collaboration in the development of the framework with valuable inputs from our Ministries, Agencies and Departments, as well as UN Agencies, Academia, Civil Society, the Private Sector, and other key stakeholders.
“The preparation of the document passed through an open and transparent process which inspires confidence and ensures that we are all rowing in the same direction.
“The all-inclusive engagements are akin to those undertaken in the development of Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021-2025) which the about-to-be-signed-Cooperation-Framework, fits into.
“The avowed mantra of the United Nations to ‘leave no one behind’ is in tandem with the objective of President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision to lift hundred million Nigerians out of poverty.
“To this end, the Cooperation Framework, which is guided by the overarching principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals and the African Charter 2063, aligns with Nigeria’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2025.
“The National Development Plan aims to support Government to accelerate economic growth and achieve the goals and aspirations of the African Union, guided by the overarching principles of the UN Agenda 2030”, he added.
The Minister pointed out that measures had been put in place for tracking of results and ensuring that the new Cooperation Framework achieved its desired outcomes.
He further stated that following the recent presentation of the Ministry’s Monitoring and Evaluation tool, the “Eyemark” to the UN and its Agencies, it was expected that effective tracking of projects and programmes would be achieved and citizens would be well informed.
“I am aware that the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework stems from the Common Country Assessment, which was developed by the UN Country Team in collaboration with the Government of Nigeria, and drew information from the Report of the final evaluation of the subsisting United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework, 2018-2022”, he stated.
The Minister commended the United Nations System for continuously supporting the implementation of the strategic document for advancement of the nation’s economic growth and development.
He therefore implored the members of the Steering Committee to be committed and dedicated “as we take this first step towards achieving the development aspirations of the Nigerian people and global goal.”
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