On Monday, 14 December 2015, the United Nations (UN) and the Government of Ethiopia signed the fourth United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) that will be in effect for five years, 2016-2020. 

UNDAF 2016-2020 is the key programming instrument of the Delivering as One (DaO) process in Ethiopia. It aims to ensure coherent, efficient and effective UN system operations in full alignment with national development priorities. The UNDAF promotes and benefits from strong Government ownership, and is guided by United Nations Development Group (UNDG) programming policies and the five key UNDG programming principles: a human rights-based approach; gender equality; environmental sustainability; capacity development; and results-based management.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are mainstreamed in Ethiopia’s Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II), and UNDAF is aligned to eight of the nine pillars of GTP II, and is also well aligned with the SDGs.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie noted in her remarks at the signing ceremony, “The strong emphasis on the SDGs in both national plans and the UNDAF provides all of us with an excellent opportunity for rallying our capacities and resources behind the vision of the 2030 Agenda as a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity that leaves no one behind.” She also commended the strong and proactive Government leadership and the close and productive partnership between the Government and the UN Country Team, which served as a base for the development of this fourth generation UNDAF.

State Minister of Finance and Economic Cooperation Honorable Mr Ahmed Shide expressed the Government of Ethiopia's appreciation to the UN's support through UNDAF, and confirmed the Government's commitment to continue to lead the country's development and transformation agenda and work closely with the UN system towards its fulfilment

The World Health Organization is engaged in pillars I, III and V of the UNDAF: Inclusive Growth and Structural Transformation; Investing in Human Capital and Expanded Access to Quality and Equitable Basic Social Services; and Equality and Empowerment

The UNDAF was developed through an intense process where the UN and the Government of Ethiopia worked together to align priorities and programs to the pillars of GTPII, and through GTP II to the SDGs.

UNDAF IV will come into effect in the early months of 2016, holding both the Government of Ethiopia and the United Nations system accountable to the agreed upon pillars, priorities and milestones.

For more information, please contact:

Loza Mesfin Tesfaye
WHO Ethiopia
Communications Officer
Email: tesfayel [at] who.int" target="_blank">tesfayel [at] who.int
Tel: +251 911 144 194

Photos: WHO Ethiopia/ Loza Mesfin