Maldives, UN sign two projects worth over USD 1.7 million

Two projects have been signed between the government of Maldives and the United Nations in the Maldives, worth over USD 1.7 million.

During a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two projects were signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid and the UN Resident Coordinator, Catherine Haswell.

Funded by the Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund, the first of the partnership will be implemented through collaboration between the government, UN Agencies, civil society organizations, private sector and other partners.

The two-year project costs USD 1.4 million and will support the operation of an Integrated National Finance Framework (INFF) process in the island nation.

It aims to boost the financial planning process and enhance finances for priority areas in climate action and gender responsive and equitable social sector service delivery, revealed the ministry.

Further, the project is expected to deliver long-term development benefit for Maldives and contribute in the “2030 Agenda” that centers around “leaving no one behind”.

Secondly, a project was signed for a total of USD 360,000 for the mobilization by the Government and UN Maldives from the first round of the UN Covid-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund.

With the aim to enhance national response towards vulnerable groups, the project will expand mental health and psychosocial support services that are made available. Further, it aims to increase the readiness of the Home for People with Special Needs.

For the successful implementation of this project, the government and UN Agencies will partner with the Maldivian Red Crescent and other partners within the next five months.

During the ceremony, FM Shahid expressed gratitude to the UN for providing “valuable support” to the Maldives in the provision of much needed and timely assistance to the most vulnerable communities.

Reiterating the UN’s commitment to assist the island nation “recover better” from the pandemic’s impact, the UN Resident Coordinator expressed keenness to help the government accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

Further, Haswell expressed hope that the partnership of both projects will enable the development of “stronger policies” to create “more inclusive” and “resilient” communities that leave no one behind.

The Government and UN will closely monitor the targets of the joint programmes and maximize efforts to accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, as Maldives seeks to build back better, said the ministry.

Both partners attempt to address the challenges facing sustainable development and increase the country’s capacity to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.