Govt, UN agencies finalise United Nations Development Assistance Framework

The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for 2013 - 2017 was finalised jointly by the government and the United Nations (UN) Agencies in consultation with the agencies to provide a strategic direction to implement UN supported projects and programmes in line with the development policy framework of the government.

The UNDAF, prepared for 2008 - 2012, focused on humanitarian assistance, poverty reduction, peace building and emergency assistance. It is expected to obtain financial and technical assistance from UN agencies to address the development priorities highlighted in the Mahinda Chinthana -Vision for the Future Development Policy Framework of the government, with the government's accelerated economic development initiatives.

The overall objective of the new framework for the next five year period is to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth with equitable access to quality social services and strengthen human capabilities.

UNDAF has identified four programme areas to achieve this goal.

They are equitable economic growth and sustainable livelihood; disparity reduction, equitable and quality social services, governance, human rights, social inclusion and protection and environmental sustainability, climate change and disaster risk reduction This framework will be implemented through the Country Programme Action Plan of individual UN Agencies and monitored by the government and the United Nations in Sri Lanka. The signing of the new UNDAF took place at Finance and Planning Ministry yesterday.

Finance and Planning Ministry Secretary Dr P B Jayasundera signed on behalf of the government while representatives of each UN Agencies signed on behalf of the United Nations.