UN, PH Partner on Sustainable Development Priorities

The United Nations (UN) expects to mobilize USD506.63 million in funding to help the Philippines implement its priority programs on sustainable development and inclusive growth over the next five years.

The Philippine government, represented by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia, and the UN Country Team, represented by Resident Coordinator Ola Almgren, on Wednesday signed the Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development (PFSD) 2019-2023.

“The Philippines is a country with resources, a middle-income country, and is a country with considerable capacities, experience, that are now being applied for Philippine Development Plan (PDP). In short, I think the Philippines is faring well here, in comparison with the other countries in the region and globally,” Almgren said in an interview after the signing of PFSD.

Almgren said the PFSD aligns support for national development priorities, as described in the PDP 2017-2022 and the Ambisyon Natin 2040, with the 2030 Agenda and the principle of “leaving no one behind.”

“The PFSD represents a maturation of the partnership between the Philippines and the United Nations, where together we contribute towards the achievement of global and national priorities,” he added.

On priority programs geared to achieving sustainable development goals, Almgren also believed that the Philippines “fares quite well” in comparison with other countries, noting the country “makes good progress” on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

But he pointed out there are remaining challenges for the Philippines in attaining its development goals.

“And that’s where we feel we can have the most important contribution,” Almgren said.

For his part, Pernia commended the UN Country Team for their efforts in shifting the nature of the UN system engagement in the Philippines from development assistance to strategic partnership.

“Essentially, the Philippines will try to leverage the experience and expertise of different UN agencies which cover many parts of the world. So, we would have knowledge in terms of best practices and be able to apply that to the Philippines, which also has different kinds of needs depending on the regions, depending on the specific contexts of different localities,” he said in a press briefing.

Meanwhile, the PFSD 2019-2023 involves three key pillars namely, People: the most marginalized, vulnerable, and at risk; Planet and Prosperity: urbanization, economic growth, and climate change actions; and Peace: more inclusive and responsive governance systems, and sustainable and equitable development, for just and lasting peace in conflict-affected areas.

The UN system agencies will support the development and implementation of activities within the PFSD, which may include technical support, cash assistance, supplies, commodities and equipment, procurement services, transport, funds for advocacy, among others. (PNA)