A reflection on the first half of 2021 through the development lens

by Vera Hakim, UNDP Maldives Resident Representative ad interim

Together, over the past year and a half, we have been making our way through a very difficult time. We are not out of the woods yet from the COVID-19 crisis, but I am glad to say that the outlook is bright: recovery is gathering strength. However, as new variants mutate, we need to remain we must remain constantly vigilant and adapt and become resilient and adaptable.

It is with this positive mindset that UNDP continues our work here in the Maldives, as it’s doing across the globe. It is time to make real progress.

As we move Beyond Recovery – Towards 2030, we look through the prism of our work to build on our results on the ground. In the Maldives, our focus has been on:

·         COVID response and socio-economic recovery – where we supported the health sector by providing immediate COVID response focusing on PPE, WASH, and livelihood recovery, and built new partnerships along the way

·         SDG acceleration, integration and financing –  through supporting national development strategies, and innovative financing among other things

·         Governance – to ensure our assistance is future-ready, inclusive, and gender responsive

·         Climate change and environmental sustainability – where we are focusing on a blue and circular economy, and promoting the SIDS climate agenda, and finally on

·         Digitalization and innovation – with a focus on creating digital platforms for service delivery and social cohesion, as well as youth entrepreneurship.

As we sharpen our focus to continue this path, we thank everyone who continues to be our partner in development in the Maldives. In this issue of our newsletter, we highlight the work we have done together with your support during the first half of 2021. The work we are doing through this crisis is hard but essential - we are making people's lives better. There is no higher calling. Onwards towards a better brighter future for the Maldives!

Let’s keep moving forward together.