Zambia-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Launched

Her Honour the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia,

Mrs. W.K. Mutale Nalumango, today launched the Government of Zambia-United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, that defines United Nations support to Zambia’s development for the period 2023-2027. The Cooperation Framework is aimed at supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and delivering the 2030 Agenda in an integrated manner, as well as to support the country’s development priorities as outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).

The Cooperation Framework was co-signed by Her Honour the Vice President on behalf of the Zambian Government and by Ms Mutali on behalf of the United Nations System in Zambia.

The German Ambassador to Zambia H.E. Anne Wagner-Mitchell represented the Cooperating Partners Group, and emphasized the importance of this historic ceremony, as well as the UN Reform.  

Speaking at the ceremony, that was witnessed by over 300 guests that included Government officials, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Heads of UN Agencies and staff, Civil Society, and the media, the Vice President noted continued commitment by the United Nations in the improvement of the lives of the Zambian people and the value of the Cooperation Framework in the country’s development.

“The Zambian people value the support and partnership of the United Nations towards Zambia’s development agenda. This new Cooperation Framework is welcome because it will complement Zambia’s development agenda as contained in the recently launched Eight National Development Plan,” said Mrs Nalumango.

The Vice President also called on both the Zambian Government and the United Nations to ensure successful implementation of the Cooperation Framework.

For her part, Ms Mutali underscored the importance of ownership and partnership to ensure the success of the Cooperation Framework.  

“The Cooperation Framework does not belong to the United Nations. It is a joint commitment by the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the United Nations to work in close partnership, with the support of cooperating partners and other key stakeholders, including civil society, to contribute to ensuring better lives for the people of Zambia,” she said.

Through the work of 23 UN agencies in Zambia, the new Cooperation Framework will provide interventions across four pillars, namely Prosperity, People, Peace, and Planet which align to the four strategic Priority Areas of the 8NDP. It will be implemented based on the core principles on the United Nations which are Leaving no One Behind, Human Rights, Gender Equality and Women’s empowerment, sustainability and Resilience and Accountability.

The Cooperation Framework was formulated through a consultative process with the involvement of UN agencies, Government, Civil Society, Private Sector, Development Partners, Academia, Trade Unions, and Regional Bodies, among other stakeholders.

In the spirit of Leaving No One Behind, several groups were also extensively consulted which included the youth, women, refugees, former refugees, immediate host communities, migrants, Persons with Disabilities, People Living with HIV/AIDS and key populations, among others.

Implemented following UN General Assembly resolution 72/279, the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework is a strategic, medium-term results framework that describes the collective vision in support of national development priorities and results.