OPENING REMARKS FOR THE PS PLANNING FOR THE UNDAF PREPARATION MEETING 9 TH MARCH, 2016 AT HILTON HOTEL

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1 OPENING REMARKS FOR THE PS PLANNING FOR THE UNDAF PREPARATION MEETING 9 TH MARCH, 2016 AT HILTON HOTEL Principal Secretaries, UN Partner, Senior Government Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to welcome you all to this National Steering Committee preparation meeting. As you are all aware, the UNDAF programme is in the second year of implementation; with the third National Steering Committee meeting scheduled to take place later next week. 1

2 The meeting will specifically seek to review the implementation progress of the first half of the second year of the programme. As a brief background, The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) was officially launched by the President of the Republic of Kenya in March, The Framework aims to support the government towards realizing the long-term national development goals contained in the Vision 2030 transformative agenda, particularly creating a globally competitive and prosperous nation with a high quality of life by It is fully aligned to the priorities identified in the Medium-Term Plan

3 Founded on the Economic, Social and Political pillars of the vision, the UNDAF Framework was developed according to the principles of UN Delivering as One (DaO) aimed at ensuring Government ownership and demonstrated through UNDAF s full alignment to Government priorities and planning cycles as well as internal coherence among UN agencies and programmes operating in Kenya. Ladies and Gentlemen The UNDAF has four strategic Result areas, namely; 1) Transformative Governance; 2) Human Capital Development; 3) Inclusive and Sustainable Growth; and 4) Environmental Sustainability, Land Management and Human Security. 3

4 The UNDAF leadership is structured in a specific manner, with The National Steering Committee, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary of Finance, assisted by Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning and co-chaired the UN Resident Coordinator. Together they are responsible for the overall guidance to the UNDAF implementation, coordination and reporting. Each Strategic Result Group is led by the relevant Principal Secretary in the relevant lead Ministry, and co-chaired by the head of the relevant UN Agency. Ladies and Gentlemen In the first year of implementation of the programme, Kenya experienced a number of structural, political, policy and legal changes and reforms both at national and county level which have influenced 4

5 implementation of the programme. Kenya now sits at the threshold of a period of potentially accelerated development given the reforms. Estimates indicate that real GDP growth will average 6% annually during the implementation period, as Kenya begins to realize it s enormous but, as yet, unfulfilled potential. Government commitment to political and economic reforms should stabilize the economy and promote social cohesion, helping Kenya maintain its preeminent status as a regional economic powerhouse. Since September 2012, the Government of Kenya (GoK) has been on a journey to ensure participation in the design of the new global Development Agenda-Post 2015 on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I am glad that The UN has been working closely with the GoK 5

6 and all stakeholders in ensuring smooth transition from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to SDGs alongside Kenya s Second Medium Term Plan and the UNDAF framework. As indicated in the Vision 2030 and the respective Medium Term Plans we hope that through the thriving and broad partnerships between us and our partners, the objectives contained in the development plans will be achieved for a better Kenya for all. Ladies and gentlemen, today we are gathered here as the leadership of the UNDAF to not only prepare for the upcoming NSC meeting, but to also welcome the new 6

7 Principal secretaries who will be inducted, briefed and introduced to the programme. Finally, I wish to thank you for attending this very important meeting and for being part of the GOK/UNDAF leadership. I urge you to fully commit your time and effort for the successful implementation of the Framework. As leaders of this programme, it is our responsibility to act together in cognizance of this opportunity in collaboration with the UN system towards realization of Kenya s developmental commitments to its people and international community. With these few remarks, l wish to declare this meeting officially open and hope we will have fruitful discussions. 7