The United Nations (UN) says it will assist Namibia in areas of health, education, and poverty eradication next year to fast-track the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030.
UN Resident Coordinator for Namibia Hopolang Phororo said the critical areas have been identified in which Namibia is lagging as the deadline of the 2030 target draws closer.
“UN Namibia is currently developing the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) that will spell out our joint actions to accelerate the SDGs throughout the period of 2025 to 2029.
“The UNSDCF will reaffirm the commitment of the United Nations system in Namibia to continue evidence-based advocacy, policy engagement, partnership, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation,” she said.
SDGs are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity.
Namibia drafted 17 goals that relate to poverty eradication, zero food hunger, quality education, gender equality, affordable and clean energy; clean water and sanitation; decent work and economic growth and reduced inequalities among others.
The UN notes that the classification of Namibia as an upper middle-income country by the World Bank in 2009, has reduced access to development assistance.
However, the UN in Namibia acknowledges the major development gains made by the country since independence; including financial resources and world-class talent although thinly spread to make a difference in terms of development.
“This notwithstanding, the country still faces many institutional capacities, systemic and other development challenges which require effective partnerships to resolve.”