The United Nations (UN) and Papua New Guinea Government, through National Planning Minister, Charles Abel, signed the United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2018-2022 today in Port Moresby.
This framework guides the work of the United Nations in the country for the next 5 years.
It reflects a shared commitment by the PNG Government and UN agencies to work together to achieve agreed outcomes.
Planning Minister, Charles Abel, speaking during the signing of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework, said this is an outcome of the relationship that Papua New Guinea learned from challenges with the changing world.
The government is looking at developing a more realistic approach to development.
“The Department of National Planning is trying very hard to modify our development framework so that it is more holistic and it takes into account the Millennium Development Goals,” he said.
He said the Government is working very hard to modify the country’s development strategy to align development processes, and to incorporate local plans into the Sustainable Development Goals.
“I want to thank the UN for supporting that process; by helping us particularly in developing the Medium Term Development Plan number three which will cover the next five years to be implemented by the next government,” he added.
These two plans are interrelated and represent the 5 year plans for the country with respect to international commitments to sustainable developments.
Abel said Papua New Guinea has all the relevant features and opportunities to contribute to sustainable development locally and internationally, which this framework takes into account.
United Nations Development Programme Country’s Coordinator, Roy Trivedy said that this framework is a collective effort from the UN partnership with various stakeholders.
“This framework guides our relationship with government and the people of Papua New Guinea.
It aligns with vision 2050, the 20-30 agenda of Sustainable Development Goals, the Stars Policy, the Medium Term Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals,” Trivedy said.
