By Seleoe Nonyane
The United Nations (UN) has launched the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Lesotho for the year 2024-2028.
The programme serves as a guiding instrument aligning the UN’s collective actions to support Lesotho’s development agenda.
Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, the UN resident coordinator, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, noted that Lesotho holds immense potential, and it is through Basotho’s collective efforts that this potential can be unlocked and pave the way for a brighter future.
Mukwashi said the country still grapples with high youth unemployment, gender-based violence, food insecurity, and low human development. However, Basotho should not be disheartened but rather embrace the immense potential that lies within the nation.
She said to tackle these challenges, the UN is committed to leveraging the key enablers to achieve transformation, such as reliable data and statistics. These will help to target interventions where they are most needed as well as where they will have the impact.
One of the key enablers is digital transformation, she pointed out.
Mukwashi also indicated that new ideas must be embraced and calculated risks taken to drive development, foster innovation, and create value across diverse sectors.
“Another key enabler is behavioural science. The nature of today’s challenges and opportunities has not just changed over the decades, it is continuously evolving.
“This means that addressing complex challenges and being able to identify and take advantage of local, regional and/or global opportunities, requires a fundamental shift in mindsets and behaviours,” she said.
“For the UN, the cooperation framework is like a new season, a new season that acknowledges that everyone is born equal in dignity and in rights and delivers for all.”
The organisation is ready to collaborate with the government in every sector, civil society, the private sector and development partners to contribute towards the creation of new growth and inclusive development that leaves no one behind, she added
She further assured the government that the UN is here to support its vision and development priorities.
“We are here when you need us to help with implementation.
“We are here when you need us to partner with you in resource mobilisation.
“We are here to share knowledge and explore innovative and creative solutions,” she emphasised.
Together, the two parties can help build a Lesotho that flourishes and provides opportunities for all its citizens.
Mukwashi said partners are key in implementing the change that is needed as they are able to reach the hardest communities.
For his part, Prime minister Sam Matekane said the new cooperation framework has key pillars that go well with the extended NSDP II.
He noted their implementation and achievement would lead to the country’s development.
He also indicated that the government needs to transform Lesotho from a consumer-based economy to a producer and export-oriented economy.
The framework serves a one of the tools towards the realisation of the government’s objectives.
Matekane said at the heart of this programme lies the shared vision for a prosperous inclusive and resilient Lesotho.
“Basotho are also looking forward to us as the government not to let such an important programme go to waste.
“If it does, not only will this translate to waste of efforts and resources, but it would also be suicidal,” he added.
