UN agencies, partners to firm-up common support programme for Central Africa
About 50 representatives and experts of UN bodies, the ECCAS General Secretariat and its specialized structures, the CEMAC Commission and its specialized organs, and other key development organisations, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), are set to meet in Libreville, Gabon this month to recalibrate their efforts at delivering support for the sustainable development in Central Africa, in more coordinated, efficient and impactful ways.
They will be meeting in the 9th session of the Central Africa Sub-regional Coordination Mechanism (SRCM-CA) for the UN system-wide support to the African Union and its NEPAD Programme, convened by the Sub-regional Office for Central Africa of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and ECCAS.
On the table will be a draft Common Indicative Programme (CIP-III) of the SRCM-CA representing a comprehensive proposal of areas of collaboration and flagship initiatives bringing together 17 UN agencies and partner institutions working in synergy for the subregion’s sustainable development. CIP-III follows two previous CIPs, which faced implementation challenges because of its fragmented nature and activity level design.
The proposed new programme organises collaboration at more macro level (outcome level) around existing programmes based on clearly identified commonalities at the programmatic level and champions to lead joint work.
It responds to the UN Secretary General’s Reform that strings peace and security; development; and humanitarian work as mutually inclusive components for effective and efficient interventions of the UN in response to global, regional and country challenges and needs. It will also contribute to the implementation of the AU-UN Development Framework at the sub-regional level.
It is in this context that the proposed CIP covers five years, starting from 2018, with programmes under the following four main pillars:
Structural Transformation for Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Development: This encompasses programmes to restore macroeconomic stability in the sub-region, foster industrialization and modernization of agriculture systems, boost competitiveness of enterprises, improve energy production and strengthen capacity for integrated resource management.
Market Access and Integration in the Value Chain: This concerns projects to accelerate the implementation of the Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT) initiative and the Central Africa Consensual Transport Master Plan as well as create a One Network Area, critical steps towards the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Improvement of human and social conditions: Among other things, this pillar comprises programmes on human capital development, reproductive health and HIV / AIDS control, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Promoting Governance, Peace and Security: This pillar focuses on programmes to strengthen mechanisms for peace and security in the sub-region, gather and process harmonized statistics on governance, peace and security and strengthen youth participation in the promotion of democracy.
Results of the Libreville SRCM session will be an input to the forthcoming meeting between the Un Development Group in Africa (R-UNDG ESA & WCA) and ECA planned for 10 December 2018 which will discuss UN system-wide support to the African Union and its NEPAD Programme, including the role of the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) and its subsidiary SRCMs.
