The Government and UN sign the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)

The Government and the United Nations in South Africa formally signed the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in Pretoria, on 19 April 2022.

The cooperation framework is a document that comprehensively spells out the work of the UN for the period 2020-2025 in the country in cooperation with the Government and other partners.

The ceremony, led by the Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele; the then Resident Coordinator for the UN in the country, Nardos Bekele-Thomas; and the acting Resident Coordinator, Ayodele Odusola; began with a moment of silence for communities that were affected by the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal Province.

The UNSDCF was the result of broad consultations among strategic partners that included the private sector, civil society, academia and research institutions, women, and youth.

In her remarks at the signing ceremony, Ms. Bekele-Thomas spoke of the need for “coherent and critical results-based programming based on national needs and priorities,” noting that “our dream is becoming a reality today.”

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Gungubele emphasized the commitment of the Government to implement the cooperation framework while highlighting this “truly consultative process that is an integration of global, continental and national goals.”

Following the actual signing of the Framework, Mr. Odusola, emphasized South Africa’s unique relationship with the UN before reminding those present that “effective implementation of the cooperation framework will depend on strong accountability mechanism.”

He further noted that “coherent coordination and collaboration is why it is very important for us to deliver together.”

The UN General Assembly considers the UNSDCF as “the most important instrument for planning and implementation of the UN development activities at country level in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”