The United Nations invested US $10.01 million into Trinidad and Tobago which showed an acceleration to jumpstart the sustainable development goals (SDGs) coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is the first time the UN’s spending has got to double digits after the 2018 UN Reform for stronger coordination among UN agencies.
This was revealed at the launch of its 2022 annual results report and 2023 country plan which took place at the Hyatt Regency hotel today.
In his remarks Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu said the United Nations Country Team, in partnership with Trinidad and Tobago and development partners, delivered strong and consistent support towards the realization of Agenda 2030 and the SDGs in 2022.
Notably, he added, 2022 signified the first year of implementation of the new Cooperation Framework- the United Nations MultiCountry Sustainable Development Framework (UN MSDCF) 2002 to 2026 as the guiding frame of reference for the planning and implementation of actions with the government and partners on the realization of the National Development Strategy-Vision 2030 and the 2030 agenda.
“The 2022 annual report therefore highlights actions undertaken under the UN MSDCF and Country Implementation Plan (CIP TT) in support of national priorities, and to accelerate national sustainable development,” Zulu said.
Importantly, he outlined the report examines the collective efforts of the UNCT for inclusion of the needs of the most vulnerable in national policies, strategies and responses in keeping with the principles of “leaving no one behind” and “building back better.”
According to Zulu, these collective and committed efforts are underscored by the scaling up and accelerated implementation of programmes and activities and delivery of actions and services which also resulted in significantly higher levels of expended resources by the UN system in Trinidad and Tobago in 2022 compared to the previous years.
He further explained that the UNCT provided ongoing support to the national health system as the country emerged out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, the UNCT supported local communities, rural health centers and local service providers, including the delivery of equipment and supplies and technical expertise in support of the essential health functions, primary health care strategies, comprehensive essential mental health service packages, and sexual and reproductive health information and services.
Zulu also noted that regarding support to migrants and refugees and local host communities, collective actions resulted in more targeted approaches and better service delivery including protection and assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers and promoting local integration.
He said the Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela, R4V was also successfully launched and aims at enhanced coordination, better delivery, and mobilization of resources for social inclusion and cohesion of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and their host communities.
Zulu also noted that partnerships with government institutions, national and international partners, private sector, academia, civil society organizations and local communities also improved capacities to deliver comprehensive and integrated gender-based violence response services.
“The UNCT delivered campaigns and programmes on access to legal rights, response services, entrepreneurship, violence against women and girls and promoted positive male role models with the overall aim to ensure the economic, political and social protection of women and girls,” he further explained.
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