Speech of Resident Coordinator at MICAT Press Briefing on the National Development Planning Process

I want to express warm thanks to the government for the opportunity to join the government at this Press Briefing on the national development planning process and accompanying County Development Agendas. • 

I congratulate the country for its successful elections and peaceful transfer of power, which was a demonstration of the deepening of democracy and consolidate ion of peace. This is an important prerequisite for national development and Economic transformation. 

I would like to note the importance of the NDP process to guide the direction of the development agenda of the country. This is a very important next step to rip the dividend of peace in Liberia leading to sustainable development. The UN and other partners will align their partnership and cooperation framework to the national vision and plan. 

We welcome the government leadership in setting up the national coordination mechanism and structure to lead the National Steering Committee of the Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) planning process and its implementation chaired by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Liberia and co-chaired by His Excellency the vice President of the Republic of Liberia, with the Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs in the leadership team.

In this regard and in the spirit of partnership Express deep appreciation to the President, H.E Joseph Nyuma Boakai for nominating the UNRC to serve as co-chair of this important steering committee. This is a testament of the government’s openness to partnership and collaboration. 

I appreciate the strong government leadership in providing a platform for an inclusive National Plan process to develop the NDP and County Development plan. The national ownership of the process which has been demonstrated is very critical. We also appreciated the wide consultative nature of the process. This makes the plan truly owned by the Liberians; I also want to emphasize that the consultative process is as important as the product (NDP and CDP). 

We further appreciate the involvement of all the national and international stakeholders in the consultative process. It makes the product richer and consolidates partnership during the design and implementation of the plan. 

 We echo the government’s call for harmonization of efforts and mutual accountability as both Liberia and development partners through share responsibility for development outcomes. 

I recommit, on behalf of the UN family, and development partners, to support the NDP process and Steering Committee to achieve its objectives as set out in its TOR. The UN and other development partners will accompany the process through technical assistance and otherwise as requested. 

This NDP is being developed at a time when globally countries are accelerating actions for the achievement of the SDGs within 6 years to go. Both the 2030 vision for Liberia and 2030 agenda for the UN are coinciding and have few years to go so it is time to accelerate action. This timeline coincides with the current NDP and represents an opportunity for the National Plan to align with the Six transitions and accelerators of SDGs in as much as it aligns with national priorities as per the Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development. The six transitions are (food systems, energy access, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, climate change-biodiversity-pollution – most of which are envisaged in the ARREST Agenda for inclusive development.

 Let us remember that this is also time for the preparation for the summit of the future which will take place in September. The planning process is a good moment for Liberia to prepare its message to the global stage. What does Liberia want to see in the commitment for the future? 

I want to conclude by thanking the government and the organizers of the press conference and wishing everybody successful work ahead. 

END