Partnerships to Make Sdgs Reality for All Youth Development · Ending AIDS · Human Rights · Resilience 2 Issue XVI - November 2016 UN in Zimbabwe Newsletter CONTENTS
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United Nations in Zimbabwe UnitedÊNationsÊ Newsletter Zimbabwe Issue XVI • November 2016 www.zw.one.un.org Partnerships to Make SDGs Reality for All Youth Development · Ending AIDS · Human Rights · Resilience 2 Issue XVI - November 2016 UN in Zimbabwe Newsletter CONTENTS 02 Note from the UN Resident Coordinator Note from the UN Resident Coordinator Finally, the rains have given a sign of renewed hope. This may be true, but for 5.2 million Zimbabweans the impact of the 03 Making SDGs a reality for all in Zimbabwe El Nino-induced two years of drought still lingers in rural areas and its ramification has been noticed with increased urban vulnerability coupled with the prevailing 05 Legislators Embrace Sustainable Development economic challenges. Goals It was heartening for me to witness UN Resident Coordinator, Bishow Parajuli firsthand during my field mission how (left) engages a beneficiary of cash 06 communities from Binga in Matabeland transfer relief assistance in Chiredzi Mobilising Youth for Sustainable North to Chiredzi as far as Gonarezhou Development Goals settlement in Masvingo province working reform, irrigation, water harvesting and hard to make a living amidst severe management for longer term impact, and 07 drought. Communities had to plant and by working towards the achievement of Building Skills for Youth Employment and replant three times with different grains the 17 Sustainable Development Goals Rural Development hopping to get something out of their (SDGs) continued. fields. Unfortunately, the harsh weather 08 condition, the worst drought since 1992, As such, in support of the national efforts, the Ending AIDS by 2030 in Zimbabwe didn’t relent. UN has been supporting implementation of the SDGs under the 2016 -2020 Zimbabwe Despite grim situation, it was comforting UN Development Assistance Framework to note that the affected communities, (ZUNDAF) and establishing a broad-based 09 Zimbabwe participates in human rights particularly women were taking the fight to national advocacy to raise awareness review, accepts 142 recommendations regain their livelihood and dignity by saving on the global goals. In this regard, the one or two dollars. They were saving from Parliamentarians; Local Government 10 the cash transfer they received as part (Provincial and District Level); Young Cash Transfer Saves Lives, Bridges Tech of the ongoing drought relief assistance, people in schools, in universities, and in Divide under the Humanitarian Response Plan, their associations; traditional leaders; and to prepare their land, buy seed and the media have come together to advance other farming input to get ready for the the achievement of the SDGs. Meanwhile, 11 El Nino’s Effects Linger in Rural, Increases upcoming rainy season. Government efforts with reforms must Urban Vulnerability continue, particularly to attract investment In our collective response to the prevailing and the engagement of the private sector, drought situation, under the leadership one of the key pillars for the achievement 12 of the Government, jointly the UN and of SDGs. Building Resilience Towards Zero Hunger NGOs, with the generous support of the development partners such as the USA, We definitely need to increase the UK, China, EU, Netherlands, Japan – to momentum on our commitment to name but a few- have demonstrated strong end poverty, hunger and fulfilling the solidarity in alleviating hunger. aspirations of SDG 16 – ensuring peace, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator justice and strong institutions for all. To Block 10, Arundel Office Park, Norfolk Road, Of the total US$352 million appeal made make good on our commitment to the Mount Pleasant for the period April 2016 to March 2017, global goals, implementation of national PO Box 4775, Harare - Zimbabwe some US$212 million has been committed development programmes is key. In line Phone: +263-4-338 836-44 enabling the UN and NGOs to reach 1.7 with the forgoing, I am pleased to note Email: [email protected] million people who are most in need. that the UN programme delivery until the www.zw.one.un.org The response is expected to reach 3.1 end of September 2016 stands at US$310 million people at the peak of the lean million, this is well on track on the first year /UnitedNationsZimbabwe season. Our assistance is targeted to the plan of the 2016-2020 ZUNDAF. /UNZimbabwe most vulnerable communities in line with the universal humanitarian principles of This 16th edition of the UN in Zimbabwe bit.ly/unzimyoutube humanity, neutrality, independence and newsletter is dedicated to highlight impartiality. partnerships created to advance SDGs, showcase UN programme support in the While responding to the prevailing areas of human rights, HIV/AIDS; youth humanitarian situation, our overall strategy skills development; resilience building; Funding for the production of the UN in Zimbabwe is to counter and mitigate the effects of food and nutrition security; multi-sectoral Newsletter is provided by members of the UN climate change by tackling its root causes drought response. Wishing you a nice read. Country Team as well as through a generous grant through resilience building, agricultural from the Government of Sweden. 3 Issue XVI - November 2016 UN in Zimbabwe Newsletter Making SDGs a reality for all in Zimbabwe Speakers at the UN Day (l-r) Minister of Information, Media & Broadcast Services, Chris Mushowe - on behalf of the guest of honour, Vice President E. Mnangagwa; TheSpace & young people’s representative, Annah Matsika; UN Resident Coordinator & host, Bishow Parajuli (l-r) Over 300 representatives of government, UN heads of agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, national associations, the media & community leaders were part of the UN Day commemorations; Participants had an opportunity to pledge to promote a specific SDG, Sweden’s Head of Development Cooperation in Zimbabwe, Maria Selin pledging for SDG 5 The Government together with United Nations System, Planning and Investment Promotion, a broad-based development partners, civil society organizations, national coalition of SDGs has been established. The national associations, the media and community Parliamentarians have taken the lead in legislating leaders and members reiterated their commitment for for SDGs-friendly laws; and local government the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (provincial and district level) have committed to UN programme (SDGs) in Zimbabwe. actively participate in the implementation of SDGs support for 2016 programmes on the ground. stands at $310 Addressing over 300 representatives from million as at end of Government, Diplomatic Corps, NGOs, private Young people in schools, in universities and in their September 2016, sectors, community leaders and the media at the associations have been playing their role in SDGs well on track on 71st Anniversary of the United Nations celebrations advocacy online and off-line, whilst on the other the first year plan held at the World Health Organization (WHO) office hand traditional leaders have started mobilizing of the 2016-2020 grounds on Monday 24 October 2016, Bishow Parajuli, communities into action. The media has for long been ZUNDAF UN Resident Coordinator paid tribute to the multi- on board setting the agenda of public discourse for a sectoral engagement in making the attainment of meaningful and objective dialogue on SDGs. SDGs a reality in Zimbabwe. The UN Resident Coordinator noted on the need to “On this special day [UN Day], we take stock of a year- increase the momentum on the commitment that long engagement in the development and humanitarian “no one is left behind” in the quest to end poverty, spheres in Zimbabwe. It is a culmination of a series hunger and protect the planet, as well as fulfilling the of advocacy activities that has run throughout 2016: aspirations of SDG 16 – ensuring peace, justice and ranging from awareness raising around the core values strong institutions for all. and principles of the UN Charter, to building a national coalition for the implementation of the Agenda 2030 In line with this commitment, in the first year of the for sustainable development and its 17 goals,” Parajuli 2016-2020 Zimbabwe UN Development Assistance said. Framework (ZUNDAF) implementation, the UN has been on target in development programme support, During the course of 2016, under the overall except some areas such as poverty reduction that leadership of the Office of the President and Cabinet require additional resources. Recognizing this with technical support from the Ministry of Economic challenge, the Government has recently launched its Continues on page 4 4 Issue XVI - November 2016 UN in Zimbabwe Newsletter It is for the future Continues from page 3 the United Nations. Added to that, we are working of children, such as Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy for the period of hand in pocket with the world governing body in the these celebrating 2016-2018 that will guide national efforts to reduce implementation of our economic blueprint, the Zim the UN Day, poverty. It is important that this is implemented in full Asset, so that we achieve and attain Agenda 2030,” that the SDGs force. Mnangagwa said. endeavours to achieve prosperity The ZUNDAF prioritizes the UN’s support in areas of He added that, in line with the SDGs’ theme of leaving & protect the food and nutrition security; gender equality; HIV & no one behind, government is urging the participation planet AIDS; poverty reduction and value addition; public of everyone, especially