• President of the UNDP Executive Board – Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations;

• Distinguished Members of the Executive Board;

• Representatives of Member States; and in particular those whose Country Programme Documents are to be considered at this January Session of the Executive Board – which are the Governments of The Gambia, Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles;

Colleagues, Ladies, and Gentlemen,

Today, I present to you - for Approval at this First Regular Session of the Joint UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board, 2024, the Country Programme Documents for The Gambia, Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

Excellencies, the Country Programme Documents we present to you today are a critical vehicle for attaining these moonshots in the countries at issue. They are grounded in lifting agency of people and states, in building empowerment and reaching the people more effectively, even as we continue to deepen our ties with governments and institutions.  This is truly SDG acceleration in action.

Let me share a few preliminary points on approach:

I am pleased to confirm that the 5 Country Programmes were formulated in close consultation with the respective Governments and a wide range of stakeholders, including UN agencies, multilateral and bilateral partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector. There was a particular attention given to ensuring the full inclusivity around formulation of these documents but also the ownership by national stakeholders. The draft programmes are aligned with and respond to the respective national development visions, strategies, and priorities. The programmes also align with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the African Union Agenda 2063, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and as shared a few moments ago by the Associate Administrator, these are informed fully by the UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025. Furthermore, the five country programme documents are premised on the principle that we all continue to emphasize that of “leaving no one behind” – particularly at a time where we see greater stress on cost of leaving and impact on the most vulnerable. 

Let me take this opportunity to thank member countries for their questions and constructive suggestions on the draft CPDs during the preceding months. The comments have been considered thoroughly and are fully reflected in the final CPDs as appropriate.

The CPDs presented to you today were crafted with a sharp appreciation of the unique contexts within which these countries find themselves – emphasizing the need to build on their strengths, to seize opportunity and to push back on headwinds. 

Allow me now, Your Excellencies, to share with you the highlights of some of the core interventions UNDP will focus on – by country.

The Gambia – one of Africa's fastest-growing economies and third most peaceful nation in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet also the smallest mainland country in geographical size, it is one with a largely youthful population ( 63.3% of the 2.6 million people in this country are categorized as youth).  Its heavy reliance on imports and high vulnerability to external shocks, climate change, and governance – related challenges are also and have been key obstacles in the way of development.  Therefore, aligned with the Green Recovery Focused National Development Plan (2023-2027), the UNDP Programme will promote (a) sustainable environment and climate resilience; (b) responsive, accountable governance and peacebuilding; and (c) green, inclusive economic growth. 

On Guinea, this mineral-rich country with considerable hydrological and agricultural resources, and 13.5 million people, 77% of whom are under the age of 35 and 55% female, has not harnessed the full potential of its resources.  UNDP wants to work with the government and the people of this country to overcome persistent challenges with rule of law and rising poverty. Anchored in the Interim Reference Programme, the UNDP Programme will support Guinea on (a) inclusive governance, social cohesion, rule of law, and security; and (b) sustainable and inclusive economic transformation and sustainable management of natural resources. 

Madagascar’s population of above 28 million has 62.8% under 25 years, and more than half of them are female. This is one of the world’s wealthiest countries in terms of natural resources and other forms of endowment.  Yet still, it has one of the highest poverty rates in the world (75.2% in 2022). Governance and persistent inequalities are some of the major challenges.

In alignment with national development priorities, UNDP’s work will focus on three strategic priority areas: “Enhance good governance, the rule of law and security”; “Boosting labor productivity and creation of productive jobs for decent incomes and a competitive economy”; and “Strengthening sustainable, resilient, and inclusive environmental management”.

Mauritius -  a country that has made the elevation to upper middle-income, through political stability and expansion beyond agro-industry, manufacturing, and tourism to include ICT, finance, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare – is one that has a lot to offer on lessons and approach.  It has identified enablers and sectors to accelerate growth to attain high-income status in line with its Vision 2030 of becoming a sustainable, vibrant, and innovative nation with modern infrastructure, global connectivity, high skills, and technology. The new UNDP Country Programme Document (2024 -2028) will focus on two areas: (1) Socio-Economic Transformation and 2) Environmental Sustainability and Resilience given that this small island – developing state remains very vulnerable to climate conditions. It is also aligned to the SAMOA Pathway and other UN frameworks. 

Excellencies, on Seychelles, the country continues to set trends with 47% of its land area protected and 32.8% of its 1.3m km² Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) designated as a Marine Protected Area. Yet, building a resilient and sustainable economy will require further investments for transformation as articulated in its National Development Strategy (NDS: 2023-2027).  The new UNDP Country Programme Document (2024 -2028) is aligned with the SAMOA Pathway and other UN frameworks and seeks to accompany the country to contribute to this transformation. The programme focuses on (a) socioeconomic transformation and (b) environmental sustainability and resilience. Innovation, technology, and digitalization to improve processes, increase efficiency and promote sustainability will be cross-cutting themes in the new programme.

Mr. Chair, Distinguished members of the Executive Board, I invite the Executive Board to approve the CPDs for The Gambia, Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. 

Let me express special thanks to the Governments of The Gambia, Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles, as well as member countries and all stakeholders for their continued collaboration and support as we undertake this journey of development in a very complex setting of the global development landscape. I reaffirm UNDP’s commitment to stepping up our offer during implementation of these programme documents and thank you all for your collaboration.