The Netherlands and UNDP

UNDP and SNV sign fourth agreement

June 16, 2006 - Ad Melkert, Associate Administrator of UNDP, and Dirk Elsen, the Director of the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), have signed a new agreement aiming to assist developing countries with the implementation of their national development strategies at the local level.

The fourth "activity agreement" builds on the previous three - all of which are part of the UNDP-SNV Memorandum of Understanding. The agreements are, respectively, designed to: (1) build the capacity of local actors, (2) make capacity development more innovative and (3) foster initiatives for joint learning. It is based on the “Integrated Package of Services” (IPS) which both enhances development assistance to developing countries and provides a framework for the delivery of services related to planning and implementation of national MDG-based development strategies.

Ad Melkert and Dirk Elsen praised the compatibility of the two partners, saying that SNV’s “meso-level” focus, combined with its capacity strengthening and thematic expertise, worked well in combination with UNDP’s more national-level focus and expertise. With this agreement SNV aims to make national development strategies more inclusive and participatory, involving government, civil society and private sector stakeholders, at both national and decentralised levels.

Ad Melkert, UNDP Associate Administrator, once again welcomed UNDP’s partnership with SNV, calling it “an excellent mechanism to deliver on the MDGs”, and saying that it “brings together different partners to connect conceptual work with capacity development efforts, as well as provides greater opportunities for children, women and men at the local level.”

At the UN World Summit of September 2005, heads of state and government reaffirmed the Millennium Declaration and reiterated their determination to ensure the timely and full realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). By recognising the MDGs, developing countries are committed to develop campaigns which emphasise the battle against poverty. UNDP and SNV offer these developing countries the required support to develop and implement such campaigns. Within a partnership, an active contribution and participation is expected from local stakeholders, which play a central role in the realisation of national campaigns.

Source: SNV

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