UN Resident Coordinator in Tanzania and UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez.
Today
marks the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP). Founded in 1966, UNDP now works in some 170 countries and
territories to help eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities and
exclusion.
In
Tanzania, UNDP support began in May 1978. Since then, UNDP has
continued to serve as a critical member of the UN team in the country,
which has collectively supported the government in achieving its
development agenda through aligning its support specifically to the
national development priorities. In addition, UNDP has helped strengthen
the government’s capacity to manage and coordinate international
development assistance through the development of strategies, action
plans and an improved aid management system to facilitate national
leadership.
UNDP
in particular has supported the development of a national framework for
reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, as well
as of local capacity to manage forest carbon projects. In addition, UNDP
continues to support the government to integrate environment and energy
issues into national policy, as well as build local and regional
capacity. Through a UNDP and Global Environment Facility (GEF)
initiative some 8,400 households in the northern region of Mwanza were
given solar energy systems. Following this success, the Government now
requires all local authorities in Tanzania to include solar planning in
their budgets, and has removed all taxes and duties on solar energy
appliances.
In
terms of democratic governance, capacity development has been provided
to the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania and to the
Zanzibar House of Representatives, thereby ensuring that MPs can better
exercise their interrelated functions of law making, oversight and
representation of citizens.
UNDP
has over the last two decades strengthened the institutional capacity
of the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) and the Zanzibar AIDS
Commission (ZAC) to respond to HIV/AIDS and its impact as well as
social-economic factors that lead to the epidemic.
Allow
me, in this context, to thank our Development Partners and to
acknowledge the spirit of active engagement and collaboration which has
characterized the process through which our support to Tanzania has
progressed. Indeed, I would like to take this opportunity and to renew
our readiness to strengthen further the cooperation with all our
partners.
Last
year, the world seized a unique opportunity to set a transformational
global agenda for sustainable development, by reaching global agreements
on financing for development, the post-2015 development agenda, and
climate change. These 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will
continue the journey towards progress for everyone that aims at going
even farther to focus the world on ending poverty, hunger and major
health problems, among others. I believe we will achieve substantial
results by taking on the many interconnected challenges we face
together.
UNDP’s
new strategy in Tanzania to 2021 builds on an established and strong
relationship with the Government of Tanzania over the past three
decades. The Country Programme Document (CPD) followed the imperative of
national ownership, with our actions firmly determined by country needs
and will be delivering on three major pillars: inclusive economic
growth, environmental sustainability and inclusive democratic
governance. Reaching out to women and youth of this country remains a
top priority for UNDP and shall guide our focus and energy.
Going
forward, partnerships and co-ordination will be critical, especially
through increased engagement with South-South and triangular
co-operation; deeper co-operation with emerging partners on shared
development priorities; and partnerships with other stakeholders,
including regional bodies, civil society organizations, and private
sector entities. In doing this we will also seek to support the data
revolution necessary to inform policymaking, monitor progress, and
enhance accountability.
To
celebrate these achievements, on 29 February 2016, we will organize a
Youth Symposium, aimed at discussing how to mainstream youth
perspectives and youth-related issues in development planning processes.
These youth will be the biggest beneficiaries when the SDGs are
accomplished. We invite you to reflect on our shared history, and take
part in the great work ahead—crafting strategic interventions where
development assistance can be most effective.
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni