Government and One UN Rwanda assess implementation and impact of joint work on Rwanda’s development agenda

The meeting was hosted by the chair, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and co-chair, Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo, the UN Resident Coordinator to Rwanda. They were joined by colleagues in Government, the UN, diplomatic corps, development partners, CSOs and private sector representatives. 

The Joint Steering Committee aims to provide strategic direction and oversight of the UNSDCF for its alignment, with national, regional and international development processes, mechanisms and goals such as Vision 2050, National Strategy for Transformation; and links with other processes, such as the Voluntary National Reviews and the Universal Periodic Review. The platform also serves as an accountability mechanism of the Cooperation Framework in the delivery of a collective system support to the 2030 Agenda.

The UNSDCF is a seven-year plan that outlines how the UN supports Rwanda’s development agenda from 2018 to 2024. It is delivered by the United Nations system, with all agencies working together under the umbrella of ‘One UN’. It is mapped on to the three Strategic Priority Areas that constitute the Government’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST1).

Through 14 joint programmes on cross border trade and social cohesion, social protection, health care, youth, HIV, gender equality and empowerment of rural women, nutrition, COVID-19 response and recovery, climate resilience, data, Integrated National Financing Framework, food security, disability, diversity and inclusion and sustainable cities, thousands of communities are reached, systems are strengthened, capacities are built and people’s lives are transformed.

Minister Ndagijimana acknowledged the many years of joint work between Rwanda and the UN, and emphasized the importance of strong collaboration and partnership, which is crucial to ensuring that the country builds back better from COVID-19 pandemic, and stays on track to the ambitious goals set out by Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation.

“Today we have an opportunity to review, assess and re-commit ourselves to act together to support Rwanda’s development. As we continue to deal with spill-over effects of COVID-19, and other global challenges such as inflation and food security, we are committed more than ever to achieve NST1 targets and we will count on UN’s collaboration in this Journey, “Minister Ndagijimana said.

Mr. Ozonnia commended the GoR for its strong leadership throughout the response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and reiterated the UN’s commitment to working closely on Rwanda’s continued development.

“I congratulate the Government of Rwanda (GoR) for its strong leadership and commitment to supporting Rwanda’s socio-economic recovery and development efforts and for our strong partnership in our development work. The UN in Rwanda takes pride in being a partner of choice for the Government and the people of Rwanda as the country continues to build on its remarkable success story and ensuring the well-being of its people embedded in the spirit of “Leaving no one behind”. Mr. Ozonnia said.