Saint Lucia and UN sign new five-year Regional Cooperation Framework

Saint Lucia and the United Nations kicked-off the new year by solidifying their ongoing commitment, with the signing of the 2022-2026 United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF).

At the brief ceremony held virtually this morning UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre formalized the agreement, on behalf of the UN Development System and the Government of Barbados. The MSDCF will serve as the overarching blueprint for UN collaboration in the region for the next five years; and will cascade into a more specific Country Implementation Plan for Saint Lucia.

In delivering opening remarks, minutes before signing the agreement on behalf of the UN Development System, Mr. Trebucq summarized the event as: “a perfect way to solidify our rich ongoing cooperation”.  He added that “It’s a significant day for all of us, as we formalize the 2022-2026 Cooperation Framework” – which he deems as “the most significant Cooperation Framework to date”, given the array of compounding challenges that confront countries like Saint Lucia. 

Mr. Trebucq further explained that: “after a year of consultations at various levels, we have arrived at a point where we believe we have a clear roadmap on how the UN will support the various Caribbean countries to achieve two urgent priorities (1) to accelerate progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals; and (2) to facilitate faster recovery from the socio-economic and health impact of COVID-19”.

Signing on behalf of the Government, Prime Minister Pierre welcomed the cooperation, noting that: “it’s heartening in these times, when all the news appears to be bad, there is a glimmer of hope, it appears, from our friends at the UN”.

Prime Minister Pierre also contended that “it is a very difficult time” and, as such, the island’s vulnerabilities “are exposed”. In this regard, he affirmed that: “it is heartening to be here this morning to sign this cooperation framework and I am very pleased with the priorities that have been set”.

He reiterated his government’s mantra “to put people first”, which he believes is well-aligned with the UN’s ethos to “leave no one behind”. Noting the UN’s long history of working with the governments in the region to address critical issues, Prime Minister Pierre contended that “the signing of the MSDCF provides an opportunity to strengthen our partnership with the United Nations and to reaffirm our commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda”.

Members of the UN Sub-regional Team from UNDP, UNICEF, UNWOMEN, PAHO,UNAIDS, UNOPS, WFP, and UNESCO, also participated in the signing ceremony, and offered congratulations to the Government, while giving assurances of their continued support .

The MSDCF identifies four key priorities for achieving resilient sustainable development in the region: increased support to the economic resilience agenda; intensified efforts to ensure realization of human rights for all; strong commitment to enhancing inclusive disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation; and scaled up support to ensure that Caribbean societies remain peaceful and just societies.