Government Modernization Committee convenes to discuss and define areas of United Nations support for the new country programme 2012-2016
Tirana – 21 December 2010 – The Government Modernization Committee (GMC), the Government’s highest level policy, coordination and decision making authority, met today with United Nations Agencies in Albania to discuss the strategic direction and UN’s areas of support for the year 2012-2016.The meeting also served to review the UN’s contribution to the national development agenda.
Minister of Innovation and ICT, Mr. Genc Pollo, Chair of the GMC, in his speech highlighted the main achievements and lessons learned from the current One UN Programme, since its inception in 2007. Amongst others, he noted: “With the current programme coming to an end in 2011 we can now say with confidence that Delivering as One has been a success in Albania and there is now no going back. The Government of Albania is fully committed to seeing the continuation and further deepening of UN reform at the country level, as well as globally. The most important achievement is that One UN priorities are fully aligned with the National Strategy for Development and Integration 2007-2013, as well as sector and cross-cutting strategies. The programme has contributed and supported Government efforts to respond to the requirements for EU membership, reflecting the fact that we are the only pilot country in the European integration process. We appreciate the new vision and considerable changes brought on by the One UN Programme through the “Four Ones” approach: One Leader, One Programme, One Budget and One Voice. It has contributed to further enhance strategic planning and coordination of foreign assistance, in line with commitments to the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action”.
Reviewing process in the formulation of the next UN-Government of Albania Programme of Cooperation 2012-2016, which is due to be endorsed by the Government in 2011, GMC members welcomed the decision of the UN to pursue the preparation of One Document to be signed with the Government of Albania, replacing specific agreements between different UN agencies. This is a key step in deepening UN reform at the country level. “I would like to reiterate the importance of having clear, focused and well stated priorities which will ensure that the future programme remains as relevant as the existing one”, said Mr Pollo.
Speaking to members of the GMC, Ms. Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Albania, thanked Minister Pollo and the Government for their strong leadership and commitment in the implementation of the current programme. In her presentation, Ms. Touimi-Benjelloun outlined the UN’s areas of support and expected results for the 2012-2016 Programme, which are an outcome of very extensive consultations will a large array of stakeholders including the GMC members. Proposed areas for UN support include: governance/ modernization of public administration, economy and environment, regional and local development and inclusive social policy. Ms. Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun concluded by thanking the donor community who have supported the current programme and looked forward to renewed partnerships under the new UN-Government of Albania Programme of Cooperation 2012-2016.
The UN-Government of Albania Programme of Cooperation is due to be signed in October 2011.
