By Cedric Nkungula
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera led administration continues to get overflowing favour from the donor community due to its prudent public financial management.
Gone are the days when Capital Hill used to manipulate figures to hoodwink the global lender – International Monetory Fund (IMF).
It is not surprising therefore that the United Nations (UN) has trusted the Chakwera administration with a five year, US$1.7 billion cooperation framework which will go towards accelerated achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Malawi’s national development priorities.
The deal was signed on Thursday afternoon.
Speaking during the ceremony, Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba said the signing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Malawi 2024-2028 marks a new beginning, expressing optimism for meaningful transformation in the years ahead.
“We have much work ahead on this collective journey to uplift the lives and hopes of all Malawians and I want to re-affirm government’s commitment to the cooperation framework.
“I also wish to recognise the extensive collaboration between the Government of Malawi and the UN country team who have worked hard for the past year to shape this ambitious yet achievable roadmap aligning to Malawi 2063 and medium-term development plans,” said Zamba.
She said the framework clearly articulates integrated solutions across four priority areas requiring continued partnership including sustainable, diversified and inclusive economic growth, strengthened institutional governance; sustainable investments in human capital development and climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability.
In her remarks, UN representative in Malawi, Rebecca Ada Donto stated that the framework, which already has approximately $600 million allocated, will significantly contribute to realizing Malawi’s 2063 agenda, especially in areas such as education, health, and climate change adaptation.
