Remarks by Dennia Gayle, UNFPA Representative to Namibia on behalf of Rachel Odede, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. to Namibia, for the Development Partnership Forum: The Role of Development Partners on Effective Development Coordination in Namibia -- Nipam, Windhoek:
Hon. Obeth Kandjoze, Minister of Economic Planning;
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners; Senior Government Officials here present;
Heads of UN Agencies;
Esteemed Development Partners;
Members of Civil Society;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Good Morning,
I honoured to welcome you all, together with Honourable Obeth Kandjoze, to the 2018 Development Partnership Forum. I am pleased to see so many different actors in the room today who are all playing a vital role in attaining Namibia’s development agenda. Today marks yet another important milestone in enhancing our partnership with the Government of the Republic of Namibia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The resounding narrative of development agendas, both national and international, is to ensure that we leave no one behind. We have been called to action by the Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5), the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP), Namibia’s Vision 2030, the AU Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to change the way we do things to ensure that we eradicate poverty, protect our planet and ensure prosperity for all.
This is a big task, which requires a big task force. The 17th Goal of the Sustainable Development Goals highlights the importance of partnership in creating a world that we will be proud to leave for the next generation.
Development partnerships are an important part of this, as they are a vehicle for leveraging new resources, new types of co-operation, and new solutions. Partnerships allow us to engage with a wide array of actors whose skills and knowledge assist us in delivering on our joint development objectives.
The UN System in Namibia is committed to supporting the Namibian Government in strengthening development partnership through enhanced development coordination mechanisms. This includes platforms such as today’s forum as well as our Development Partners’ Dialogue. As development partners, we need to ensure adequate, demand driven, well-targeted support is provided to the Government of Namibia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This forum is timely as implementation of NDP5 is in full force and Namibia has recently presented her Voluntary National Review of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July. As one of the first African countries to do so, Namibia has positioned herself as an example of best practice on the continent.
We, the UN System in Namibia, are also gearing up for implementation of the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF) 2019-2023, our next partnership framework with Government. Fully aligned with national and international development agendas, this framework outlines how we will support Namibia in Economic Progression, Social
Transformation, Environmental Sustainability and Good Governance.
In order to keep up with the momentum of attaining our development agendas and continue making Namibia’s vision a reality, we as development partners, must deliver on our commitments. Through increased, quality development cooperation and scaled-up innovative approaches, we can serve as trusted partners to the Government of the Republic of Namibia and ensure prosperity for all.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This development coordination mechanism, the Development Partnership Forum, plays a vital role in promoting broad based national ownership and ensures the inclusivity needed to advance the national development planning process in Namibia.
It is a platform that brings together bilateral and multilateral partners in Namibia to allow for discussion on coordination and harmonization of development support to the Government of the Republic of Namibia.
It is my hope that today’s Development Partnership Forum serves as an effective mechanism that is inclusive as well as results-oriented to ensure that our dialogue has a meaningful and lasting impact.
I am convinced that we will sustain strong partnerships by aligning ourselves to Namibia’s ambitious development agenda. Let us use this platform to agree on how best to coordinate and synergise our support, so as to ensuresuccessful realization of Namibia’s development vision.
I thank you.