To Support National Consultations For National Development Planning Process
By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
In an important milestone for their relationship, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia and the United Nations Development Programme UNDP Liberia and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning signed an agreement to support national consultations for the National Development Planning (NDP) process.
The Swedish Embassy in Liberia has committed 4 Million Swedish Krona or its equivalent of three hundred and eighty thousand United States Dollars (380,000) to support the Government of Liberia.
The funding is being channeled through UNDP to facilitate the implementation of essential components of these consultations.
According to the officials, the signing ceremony signifies the commitment of both organizations to co-create and deliver sustainable development initiatives in the country.
Overall, the signing of the agreement represents a key step forward in the partnership between UNDP and Sweden for sustainable development in Liberia.
The organizations, along with the Government of Liberia, aim to achieve shared prosperity, build resilience, reduce poverty, and promote inclusive and sustainable development.
This clear roadmap, guided by consultations and a study on sustainable and inclusive development drivers, will serve as a foundation for Liberia’s future development.
Speaking Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the signing ceremony held at One UN House in Monrovia, Sweden Ambassador Urban Sjostron expressed frustration seeing a high level of poverty in Liberia.
According to Ambassador Sjostron, poverty is at a high level in the country something that makes him frustrated but urged for change.
“We are at a critical and we are at a rewarding juncture, we are celebrating the success of the elections, peace but at the same time we are equally frustrated to see the high level of poverty in Liberia,” The Swedish Ambassador said.
He wants the government to promote development and to use the national resources wisely which will benefit everyone nothing this is a chance for Liberia to come together and use wisely the resources.
“Now, Liberia stands at a critical juncture balancing the promise of the new government leadership with entering challenges of corruption and weak public administration” He observes.
The Swedish Ambassador however used the occasion to thank UNDP and the government for everything maintaining that they strongly believe in partnership but commended UNDP for everything they do together.
In remarks, Mr. Louis Kuukpen, the UNDP Resident Representative, emphasized the urgency of additional resources to advance the National Development Plan (NDP) process.
He highlighted the need for national and subnational consultations with Liberians in the wake of post-transition polarization.
Mr. Kuukpen stressed the importance of strategic partnerships with other development actors to ensure efficient support for the NDP process.
“This funding will be used to facilitate the swift production of a more inclusive national plan. The UNDP will leverage its role as an integrator of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to provide managerial, technical, and financial support for the NDP. The aim is to strengthen national capacity in crucial aspects of the plan, including development planning and coordination, consultations, technical meetings, validation, and launch,” UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Kuukpen.
The UNDP Rep. noted that the agreement complements ongoing collaborative engagements with the Government and the UN. The UNDP is playing a pivotal role in ensuring the timely co-creation and production of the national plan before the next national budget, considering the limited fiscal space.
Mr. Kuukpen expressed gratitude for Sweden’s support in areas such as forest governance, electoral systems strengthening, decentralization, and community-based forestry and protected area management. The collaborative efforts aim to boost biodiversity conservation, improve livelihoods, and enhance sustainable development in Liberia.
“The UNDP remains thankful to the people of Sweden for their generosity and goodwill.
He noted that they look forward to continuing its partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to support Liberia’s transition to a sustainable development path that leaves no one behind.
Mr. Kuukpen emphasized the need for inclusive participation to ensure that the national plan reflects the aspirations of the people of Liberia.
The plan should align with the SDGs and Africa 2063, promote human rights, gender and disability inclusion, and prioritize the marginalized.
He stressed the importance of consultations that consider the potential catalytic and multiplier effects across various SDGs transition actions, including food systems, energy access, digital connectivity, education, jobs, social protection, climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Decentralization and localization of the national planning process were also highlighted as crucial for success.
Mr. Kuukpen called for urgent financial and technical support to develop subnational plans that align with the overall NDP and contribute to national decentralization efforts.
The UNDP expresses its gratitude to Sweden for its unwavering support and commitment to delivering strategic initiatives in Liberia. The signing ceremony reinforces the confidence placed in the UNDP by the government and helps mobilize development resources for the country.
The UNDP commends the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning for taking on the challenge of unveiling a national development plan and 15 subnational plans, ahead of the next budget year.
For his part, Deputy Minister for Economic Management at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Dehpue Yenpea Zuo lauded the UNDP and the Swedish Embassy for the initiative.
He said it is very important for the government to look at past mistakes as a Country and find ways to solve the problems.
Deputy Minister for Economic Management at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Dehpue Yenpea Zuo however calls for strong partnership building in implementing government programs across Liberia.
He wants the partnership to build trust in the current leadership of the Country for accountability and peace and Justice stressing the need for a collective and collaborative effort of everyone onboard in preparing the plan together.
“Accountability will be key in this process, therefore, the fund will be used for the intended purpose. We will want to call on UNDP to help recruit the best professionals in the implementation process.
He is therefore, calling for financial support in the implementation process.