ANNUAL RETREAT FOR ILO DIRECTORS

• The ILO Assistant Director General and Regional Director for Africa, Ms Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon
• The ILO Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, Mr. George Okutho
• All ILO Directors for Africa present  
• UN colleagues
• Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning. I am honoured to share a few remarks on the occasion of this Retreat for ILO Directors in Africa. On behalf of the UN Country Team in Zambia I wish to warmly welcome you to Zambia. I am sure that you will enjoy your stay and if you can please take time to sample some of the key sites that the country has to offer.   

I know that my colleague who was RC a.i. until my return yesterday welcomed you, Regional Director, but let me add my personal appreciation at your decision to choose Zambia for your visit and indeed for holding this annual Retreat for ILO Directors in Zambia. Your choice of Zambia speaks volumes about the contributions that the ILO Office for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique makes in promoting our work.

Zambia is privileged to have George Okutho as the ILO Director who is very knowledgeable about the work of the UN and whose contributions to the UN Country Team are truly appreciated. Thank you Uncle G.

Regional Directors, ladies and gentlemen

As the UN in Zambia, we have this month commenced implementation of the Zambia-United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the period 2023 to 2027 commonly known as the Cooperation Framework. A product of extensive consultations and collaboration with the Government and all key stakeholders, the Cooperation Framework will support interventions across four pillars, namely Prosperity, People, Peace and Planet which are aligned to the four strategic Priority Areas of Zambia’s Eight National Development Plan.

We have a total of 23 UN agencies – 12 with Resident status and 11 on non-resident basis – that are supporting implementation of our Cooperation Framework. We leverage the individual agency comparative advantages to Deliver as One towards helping meet the priorities of the Government and people of Zambia.

Drawing on its cross-agency synergistic advantage, the UN in Zambia will support the realization of Agenda 2030 in line with Zambia’s vision and national priorities. We will support the Government of the Republic of Zambia to achieve the nation’s Vision 2030 of making Zambia a “Prosperous Middle-income Nation by 2030” and improving people’s lives, leaving no one behind.

In line with UN Reforms, the UNCT in Zambia is fully committed to pursuing a coherent and better coordinated utilization of its capacities and resources through easy, timely and reliable access to analysis, policy and technical expertise.

Special emphasis is being placed on coordination of different development partners and other interlocutors, promotion of country-led and broad ownership of joint results while harnessing different knowledge platforms for stronger measurable impacts.

I believe that through ILO’s support in the context of the attainment of the SDGs, we are contributing to the promotion of Social Justice and putting people at the centre of our development and humanitarian efforts. I am pleased that ILO is through the UN Joint Programme supporting Social Protection interventions in Zambia.

It is gratifying to note that even as Government makes efforts to increase the number of beneficiaries, there is also extension of Social Protection coverage to the Informal Sector workers, which is consistent with the National Strategy on extension of social security coverage to the informal economy workers.

My encouragement to all ILO Directors here today is that let us continue exploring partnerships and innovations to fight child labour, promote the decent work agenda, ensure international labour standards, end Child Labour, promote tripartism and social dialogue, and the informal economy, among other areas. Take every opportunity to champion all the four dimensions of decent work namely Rights at work, Employment Promotion, Social Protection and Social Dialogue.

Regional Directors, ladies and gentlemen

As I close, let me note that in line with the UN Reforms, we need to stay focussed on results, less heavy on processes and contribute to a UN that is more nimble, agile and fit to support countries and people, especially the most vulnerable.

I wish you all a successful retreat and will look forward to the retreat outcomes and see how ILO will support the implementation of our Cooperation Framework and promote a Decent Work Agenda in Zambia.

I thank you.