76th UN Day Commemoration remarks by Resident Coordinator Dr Coumba Mar Gadio: 5 November 2021

• Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Zambia  
• UN Country Team members
• Civil Society representatives
• The Youth
• The media
• Distinguished ladies and gentlemen

On behalf of the UN Country Team, I am honoured to welcome you all to the commemoration of 76 years since the establishment of the United Nations. We gather today to remember and uphold the UN Charter, the founding document of the United Nations through which as the preamble states, “We the Peoples…” continue to pledge that we will promote international peace and security.

Let me start by congratulating you, Guest of Honour, on your appointment as Minister of Youth, Sports and Arts following the landmark general elections in August, which yet again demonstrated Zambia’s standing as an inspiration of peace not only in the SADC region but Africa as a whole. The peaceful transition of power was a great example of what democracy means. We congratulate the Government and people of Zambia for maintaining political stability as well as playing a key role in promoting peace in Africa. The UN in Zambia stands ready to partner with the Government and people of Zambia in promoting and upholding human rights for better sustainability of the country’s democracy.

Guest of Honour, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen

The UN Charter continues to the be our guide as we promote international cooperation across the globe. Since its establishment on 24 October 1945, the United Nations has continued to promote a common agenda in convening members states to find common solutions to global challenges while also facilitating members states’ progress towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

We have been on the path to 2030 since 2015 when all UN member states adopted the SDGs and committed to achieving progress in strengthening partnerships, promotion of peace, universal quality health, fundamental issues such as the environment and refugee protection, disaster relief, promoting democracy, human rights, gender equality and the advancement of women, socio economic development to coordinate efforts for a safer world for the present and future generations.

In this Decade of Action, we continue to push for progress using a whole of society approach, identifying the necessary levers and pathways and saying NO to ‘Business as Usual’ and making transformative change across sectors. We are aware that with the coming of the COVID-19 pandemic, no country is on track to achieve all the SDGs by the year 2030 but that should not deter progress or dampen hope because there is a chance if only we can work together in solidarity and take the right actions.

Guest of Honour, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen

The United Nations Development System has been undergoing Reform to enhance efficiency in our delivery on the SDGs. The UN System in Zambia has embraced the spirit of the reforms through the office of the Resident Coordinator which coordinates all the engagements of UN agencies with the government. As part of the UN reforms, all UN agencies are “Delivering as One” and this has brought far-reaching changes in the way the UN Development System works to support Zambia to achieve the SDGs.

The theme of this commemoration, ‘Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic’ is timely because the promotion of youth empowerment is key in ensuing sustainable development.

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown us into a critical reality of uncertainty that has challenged us to evaluate and analyse existing challenges that have broadened the gap of socio-economic inequalities and impacted our mandate and principles of togetherness and resilience in a time of global crisis. Sadly, the impact has been profound among young people, especially young women and girls who have been more affected due to lack of diverse opportunities for them to develop and thrive.

The empowerment of young people through investment in their human capital and innovative solutions creates hope in building a sustainable future. Let me underscore that we cannot end poverty, reduce existing inequalities in our communities and combat climate change if we do not focus on supporting the empowerment and development of diverse ideas and innovations of youth.

It is pleasing to note that the government is very committed to addressing these issues including providing free education, women and youth empowerment and investments through increasing the Constituency Development Fund from 250 million kwacha in 2021 to 4 billion kwacha in 2022. Key among the commitments includes ringfencing for women and youth empowerment which will give our children the very best start in life.

Guest of Honour, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen

We have a call to action to support the changes demanded by the youth which should be reflected through the partnerships we forge in transforming the socio-economic status of the country.  In support, the UN through partnership with the Government and other institutions will continue to provide support in enhancing youth employment and entrepreneurship as an instrument in responding to the priorities essential in implementing Zambia’s national development plans.

Allow me to highlight a few areas of support that we have provided recently.

The UN has provided technical support in the formulation of the 8th National Development Plan, the National Land Policy, National Housing Policy and enhancing agricultural policies and strategies, among others.

We have also supported preparations for undertaking the national Population and Housing Census, promotion of sustainable agricultural mechanisation, improved climate smart agricultural systems and emergency response to transboundary animal diseases, migratory and animal pests and to develop aquaculture.

Further, in the context of the humanitarian response which includes drought, floods, and the COVID-19 response, the UN in Zambia mobilised 39.1 million US Dollars for the drought response and 52 million dollars for COVID-19 response. Our support included among others, the Emergency Cash Transfer, and strengthening the health system resilience in providing quality services, particularly to vulnerable people, including women and young people.

In line with today’s theme, we have supported the Government in its Youth Empowerment Programme through creation of gainful employment opportunities and life skills development and economic recovery efforts through support on the formulation of the Economic Recovery Programme 2021 -2023. We have undertaken the COVID-19 Recovery Needs Assessment (CRNA) to assess the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as a basis for ensuring innovative partnerships and financing opportunities to support the implementation of the national development plans including the 8NDP. The CRNA report will be validated in few days before the document is officially launched.

We are also working to promote Gender Equality and women empowerment without which development work cannot be effective. In addition to fighting Gender-Based Violence, ending child marriage and teenage pregnancy, the UN is collaborating with the AU to support the Government in establishing the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 action plan on women and peace and security. As the UN, we want a world where women can enjoy their rights and a world where children can also enjoy their rights and reach their full potential.

In conclusion, let me underscore the commitment of the United Nations to remain a partner of choice to the Government and people of Zambia in addressing the nation’s priorities.

It is now my pleasure to propose a toast to the good health and wellbeing of the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, and to the prosperity of Zambia. Cheers. 

I thank you.