NEPAD and the UN Development Programme (UNDP’s) Regional Bureau for Africa have held discussions on how to strengthen partnership and cooperation between the two Agencies.

The UNDP recently signed a Memorandum of Understating with the African Union Commission and it is within this framework that NEPAD will operate. Dr Ayodele Odusola, Senior Economist and MDG Adviser at Africa Bureau said that UNDP was keen on a continental partnership with NEPAD.

UNDP is the main coordinating agency of the UN system at country level. It operates in 177 countries, with a large number of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. NEPAD plans to leverage on this by working with UNDP country offices where the impact of implementation is mostly felt.

CEO Dr Mayaki, is leading a NEPAD team to the UN General Assembly, for the annual NEPAD Week of engagements and activities, called for synergies and coordination at national level.

“UNDP has accumulated a lot on development issues in Africa and has vast networks which NEPAD can benefit from. We will ensure that when we go to a county in which UNDP operates, NEPAD liaises and works with country offices,” he said.

Dr Mayaki said that design of the continental strategy of programmes such as CAADP, PIDA and the African Medicine Manufacturing Plan  and well as others adopted by Heads of State, need to be translated regionally by Regional Economic Communities (RECs) . NEPAD has the important task of work with RECS to translate these Programmes to the national level.

 Dr Mayaki and Dr Ayodele Odusola of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa in New York

UNDP’s Regional programme is based on five main pillars: Inclusive growth, Governance, Climate Change, knowledge management and Gender and women empowerment. And the meeting in New York discussed ascribing which areas NEPAD would seek collaboration with UNDP.

Professor Aggrey Ambali, Head of the NEPAD Science, Technology and Innovation Hub (NSTIH) mentioned areas of support mainly on its African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Programme (AMRH). It has spearheaded the development of the AU Model Law aimed at assisting RECs and African countries to enact or review their national laws and harmonize them with regional policies. UNDP’s support has been through consultants who have worked with NEPAD to draft the Model Law.

A follow up meeting will be held this Friday between Dr Mayaki,  RBA Director Mr Abdoulaye Mar Dieye and the Director of the Africa Regional Centre, Mr Lebogang Motlana, to concretise areas of support and co-operation.