RMI and the United Nations Ink the Country Implementation Plan

Majuro, RMI, 20 June 2023 – In a landmark development, the Government of the Republic of Marshall Islands and the United Nations signed the Country Implementation Plan (CIP), translating the aspirations of the people of RMI in line with the new Pacific UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023 – 2027, which will guide the work of the UN System in RMI for the next five years.

The United Nations held a number of consultations with the government of RMI, development partners, civil society and private sector to ensure their inputs are included and no one is left behind in the process of finalizing a CIP that will support RMI in reaching its 2030 sustainable development goals and help build a better future for Marshallese.

Signed by Mrs. Anjanette Kattil, Secretary of RMI, and the UN Resident Coordinator Micronesia Mr. Jaap van Hierden, the CIP will be actioned at the country level aligning UN engagements with national development priorities, including but not limited to, biodiversity, climate change adaptation, digital transformations, disaster risk management, nuclear legacy, water resource management and food security. In ensuring that UN efforts align with national and regional development plans and aspirations, it took into account the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

Addressing the Joint Steering Committee, Secretary Anjanette thanked the UN team in Micronesia and noted the importance and timeliness of the Country's Implementation Plans.

“[Signing of the CIP] signifies an important milestone in our shared pursuit for more effective and coordinated delivery of UN Development Assistance on the ground, and in local communities, where it is needed the most”, said Secretary Anjanette. “We envisage this CIP  will ensure coherence, coordination, and accountability among all partners. I assure you have the government’s full commitment.”

The UN Resident Coordinator Micronesia Mr. Jaap van Hierden congratulated and thanked the Government of RMI for their continued support to the UN and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to RMI. 

“I would like to thank the Government of RMI and other stakeholders for their collaboration with and support of the UN. Together we will work towards catching up on our 2030 sustainable development goals and address the impacts of climate change. In doing so, we will be guided by our imperative to “leave no one behind” in enabling a prosperous and peaceful future for the people of RMI that is in harmony with nature” Mr. Van Hierden said. 

The newly signed CIPs focus on strategic priorities jointly discussed between the Government of RMI and the UN System for the period January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024. Specifically, it details the UN agency footprint which currently comprises 23 UN agencies supporting over 160 projects or interventions with a combined investment totaling almost 27.5 million USD across all the SDGs. Key beneficiaries at the country level would include women and girls, migrants and persons living in remote poor and rural communities.  During 2023, specific attention is given to government priorities related to disaster risk management, water resource management and climate change adaptation and resilience.

Media focal point: Please write to zia.urrehman1@un.org with queries, questions, and requests for exclusive interviews.