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The Government of Dominica, on Wednesday March 16, signed a new United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (MSDCF) for the Caribbean for the period 2022 -2026.

The framework focuses on four areas: economic resilience and shared prosperity; equality and wellbeing; resilience to climate change shocks and sustainable natural resource management; and peace, safety, justice, and the rule of law.

The new cooperation framework was signed by Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica and H.E Didier Trebucq, Un Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

Prime Minister Skerrit said the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework will assist Dominica to develop strategies to improve health, education and social services, and contribute to economic growth.

“The agreement we are signing proposes to help our small territories confront the trails of our times and achieve economic resilience and prosperity. It is cause for optimism as we devise ways to tackle our common problem together. A country specific work plan will be developed to help us build resilience to climate change and shocks, maintain equality among our people and promote the wellbeing of all citizens. The proposed interventions include development financing, health, climate change mitigation and adaptation mechanisms, disaster preparedness and response and cross body issues including migration, trade, trans-national crime and trafficking, implementation of human rights and gender equality standards, transport and ocean governance,” PM Skerrit stated.

Prime Minister Skerrit says he always focused on the developmental programmes which will result in the greatest good for the citizens of Dominica.

“As Prime Minister I am always focused on developmental programs and systems which will result in the greatest good for the people of Dominica. I believe that the agreement we signed, the plans we formulate and the interventions we make will always be about the wellbeing of our people. This Government is about creating opportunities for people to live better more fulfilling lives right here in our country Dominica.  I look forward to the outcome of this framework that we signed today and to its practical implementation for the benefit of every Dominican citizen,” PM Skerrit noted.

Minister for Planning, Economic Development, Climate Resilience, Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy, Hon Dr. Vince Henderson, took the opportunity to thank the United Nations for the development of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation for the Caribbean. Minister Henderson says his Ministry welcomes this programmatic approach to sustainable development.

“We are confident that this cooperation framework will bring greater focus on development assistance; eliminate duplication; reduce transaction cost; and coordinate development assistance that is data driven and policy led. These objectives, I am sure, is welcomed by every Ministry of Government as we have had to struggle with our continued interactions with various UN agencies in a manner that is more intervention led rather than programmatic. His will allow us to leverage our efforts collectively as one Government, as a whole Government approach and also will correspond to the UN’s one UN approach, ” Dr. Henderson stated.

Minister Henderson says Dominica is well positioned to take advantage of this cooperation framework.

“After we faced the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017, our Prime Minister told the world that wed are going to be the world’s first climate resilient nation. As a result we created CREAD and soon thereafter CREAD was able to provide a framework for development that is resilient and also create a Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan while direct our efforts to development,” Dr. Henderson added.  

UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean His Excellency, Didier Trebucq, says this new agreement seeks to open a new era of renewed cooperation between Dominica and the United Nations.  

The United Nations has been a valuable partner in Dominica’s response to Tropical Storm Erika, Hurricane Maria and the covid-19 pandemic, through the provision of technical support, advice and the mobilization of resources and supplies to respond to these shocks.