Budget Ministry Partners UN to Train Directors, Desk Officers fon Strategic Framework
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As part of the activities in the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework (UNSDPF) 2018- 2022, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning in collaboration with the UN Systems in Nigeria recently organized an Offsite Orientation Workshop for Directors and UN desk officers of the Ministry to mark the commencement of the implementation of the framework.
The objective of the meeting among others was to review and reflect on the coordination methodology during the last programme cycle of the UNDAF III, 2014- 2017, to take stock of lessons learned and to set a common vision and strategic approach to the delivery, of the UNSDPF, spanning the period of 2018- 2022.
Declaring the workshop open, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olajide S. Odewale FCA acknowledged the fact that the United Nations system is a reliable ally in the quest for national development, pointing out that over the years the partnership between Nigeria and the Un-Agencies has waxed stronger and improved significantly with time.
Mr. Odewale explained that the UNSDPF as an important document which was strategically developed by the UN-System and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning with inspiration drawn from the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), is under pinned by vital principles and considerations such as partnership, UN Programming Principles, human rights, inclusive growth, gender equality and Women Empowerment Sustainable Development, resilience and accountability.
The Permanent Secretary remarked that the Orientation Workshop was timely as it would broaden and equip the participants with the general knowledge of the UNSDPF and the implementation arrangements as well as the roles of the UN and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning respectively.
Speaking on behalf of the UN Country team in Nigeria, the UN Information Centre Director for Nigeria Mr. Ronald Kayanja noted that UNSDPF is fully aligned with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), Vision 2020, Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), African Union Agenda 2063 and other internationally agreed development frameworks.
Mr. Kayanja said the purpose of the meeting was also to work with key partners to ensure that they and the UN are on the same page on issues of coordination and programme implementation.
He observed that the partnership framework among other things is coming at a time when UN system is undergoing fundamental transformation aimed at ensuring greater and coherent support to member States on sustainable development
He therefore called on Nigerian government to leverage the strength of UN by making strong demands that will uplift its people and enable them benefit maximally from what is available globally.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Abayomi Adebisi Kadri warmly welcomed participants to Lagos the Centre of Excellence on behalf of Lagos State government.
Victoria Agba-Attah
