Monrovia, Liberia – Christine N. Umutoni, the UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia, has urged the Liberian government, as well as its international and local partners, to create policies that emphasize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and demonstrate the country’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda.
“The global goals offer a comprehensive framework that transcends individual sectors and breaks silos, helping to take an integrated approach to development of a future where no one is left behind,” Madam Umutoni said during her speech at the Government, UN Strategic Policy Dialogue in Monrovia on Friday, December 6, 2024.
She claims that only 17% of the targets are on track because intersecting crises like climate change and geopolitical instability have made it difficult to achieve the 2030 Agenda. For this reason, she says, programs like the SDG Summit and the Pact for the Future offer ways to speed up progress.
Regional frameworks like Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) offer coordinated economic potential, she explained.
ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), Liberia’s 5-year National Development Plan (NDP), was validated by President Boakai at the recent National Steering Committee. According to the UN Resident Coordination, the UN recognized that the nation is at a critical juncture in its development, with over 20 years of
Regional frameworks like Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) offer coordinated economic potential, she explained.
The UN Resident Coordination stated that during the validation of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), Liberia’s 5-year National Development Plan (NDP), by President Boakai at the recent National Steering Committee, the UN understood that the country is at a pivotal moment in its development journey, with more than two decades of peace and democratic governance providing a foundation for inclusive progress and meaningful transformation.
According to her, the United Nations hopes to explore the NDP during the discussion since they see it as a daring plan to overcome obstacles and seize chances for sustainable development.
Madam Umutoni praised Liberia’s accomplishments, which include a 31% decrease in maternal mortality, gender parity in education, increased birth registration rates, and a pledge to cut carbon emissions by 64%. These accomplishments serve as a demonstration of the country’s progress toward many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We note progress in democracy, peaceful elections as well as including improved press freedom and commitments to more reforms in governance and accountability,” she added.
She said that external factors, like the COVID-19 epidemic and global economic crises, have further impeded development, pointing to Liberia’s SDG Index score of 49.9, which indicates crucial gaps like high poverty rates, gender inequality, and inadequate investments in agriculture and health.
The goal of the discussion, according to the UN Resident Coordination, is to determine priority areas that complement national development goals and guarantee that the UN’s collaboratively established plans are based on the needs and goals of the Liberian people.
“It is crucial that our conversations result in concrete outcomes that will improve governance, advance social justice, spur economic expansion, and uphold accountability and transparency,” she stated.
According to Madam Umutoni, the goal of the discussion is to better understand how Liberia’s NDP implementation aligns with the six transition areas of the SDGs and to fortify the UN-Liberia collaboration.
According to her, the discussion would provide a clear implementation framework for cooperative action and assist the UN in establishing strategic goals for the next United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
Madam Umutoni said, the UN is still a dedicated partner of Liberia, utilizing the knowledge of 21 agencies, funds, and programs that are active there.
“Sustainability, accountability, and diversity are given top priority in this collaboration. The alliance seeks to provide real benefits to Liberia’s citizens by strengthening monitoring mechanisms, encouraging reciprocal responsibility, and placing a strong emphasis on strategic cooperation.
It is crucial to approach conversations with urgency once this discourse gets underway.”
Reported by: Prince Saah
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