The United Nations System in The Gambia and the Government of The Gambia on Wednesday launched the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for 2012-2016 at a ceremony held at the Laico Atlantic Hotel in Banjul. This was preceded by two partners’ joint review of the 2007-2011 UNDAF document.

The secretary general and head of the Civil Service Dr Njogu L Bah presided over the launching ceremony. The government of The Gambia entered into agreement with the United Nations System for the implementation of the UNDAF project on July 15th 2011. Guided by the 2000 Millennium Declaration and Goals, the UNDAF provides the operational framework and strategic guidance to the programme of cooperation between the United Nations and the government of The Gambia. The 2012-2016 UNDAF was validated on 27th June 2011 and outlines a framework for a joint UN support and response to the socio-economic development priorities and needs of The Gambia.

SG Bah in his launching statement commended the UN System in The Gambia for their continued support to The Gambia in the different areas of development. He opined that when there are right strategies at the right place, there will always be sustainable development. He also assured the gathering that the government will always be committed to the development and the well-being of its people.

Chinwe Dike, the UNDP resident representative in The Gambia said the launching of the document marks a significant milestone in the collective efforts of the UN Systems and The Gambia government towards achieving a more effective and coordinated manner of working in their various development priorities. She stated that the decision to conduct a joint annual review is as a result of the commitment of the United Nations’ System in The Gambia to deliver in accordance with the requirements of the Paris Declaration on Aid effectiveness, which recognises that the principal tenets of engagement are coordination, harmonisation and alignment.

Madam Dike also underlined that to be able to achieve the aid effectiveness goals and to support the nation in improving development performance, it will be important to manage transaction costs for all and equally important to reduce duplication and increase planning and coordination of development assistance. “Our work must be more demand-driven with focus on national ownership. I am sure that the lessons learnt and best practices that will be shared here will enable us to see how we can better plan and coordinate our work with national stakeholders,” she added.

While thanking the government of The Gambia on behalf of the UN System in the country for its treasured participation in the UNDAF process, Madam Dike expressed hope that for next UNDAF, Gambia will take complete leadership and ownership of the process.