The United Nations (UN) System in Namibia in collaboration with the Government of Namibia, and their development partners launched the Joint Programme (JP) entitled “Strengthening Namibia’s Finance Architecture for Enhanced Quality and Scale of financing the SDGs.” on 23 September 2021.

Under the leadership of the Government of the Republic of Namibia, with the support of United Nations Namibia (UNN), and through the Joint SDG Fund, a 2-year, USD1,169,000.00 was awarded to Namibia for the implementation of the Joint Programme. The aim is to strengthen the Namibia’s financing architecture to scale up the implementation of the national development goals (NDPs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that targets mainly on improving the quality of life for all.

The objective of the JP is to create the right conditions and capacities for the alignment of public and private capital to the SDGs and the longer-term enhancement of the quality and scale of financing. It aims to reinforce the national SDG Financing Architecture and Ecosystem. The concept of front-loading investment should be the guiding principle in ensuring that government, multilateral and bilateral agencies as well as private sector support is promoted to support the mobilization of resources. In this regard, the launch created an opportunity for candid discussion on opportunities and prospects for collaboration to strengthen financing for the national development goals and SDGs in the country.

The UN System pledged its commitment to support the operationalization of the JP through data generation, advocacy and policy advice, technical assistance, capacity development, partnerships, and systems.

“Namibia’s Financing Architecture will create the requisite conditions and capacities for the alignment of public and private capital to the SDGs and the longer-term enhancement of the quality and scale of financing. It is aimed at reinforcing the national SDG financing architecture and ecosystem.” said Mr. Sen Pang, UN Namibia Resident Coordinator.

The Joint Programme will be implemented under the leadership of the GRN within its existing governance coordination mechanisms, with UN support under the UNPAF.

The lead implementing Government institution will be the Ministry of Finance (MoF), with the national coordinating authority of the National Planning Commission (NPC), and other key Ministries including, the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relation and Employment Creation (MLIREC) and the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPES).

UNDP will serve as a convening agency of the Programme, leading participating UN Organizations (PUNOS) such as: UNFPA, UNICEF and ILO, in providing strategic guidance and support to GRN in the implementation of the JP.

The Resident Representative of UNDP Namibia, Ms. Alka Bhatia stated that the SDG Fund Joint Programme provides an entry point for achieving the reforms and serves as an opportunity to facilitate the establishment of the INFF in Namibia, thereby strengthening the financing architecture of the country.

“To buttress this trajectory, Namibia should ensure that they leave no one behind the principle of the 2030 Agenda is mainstreamed in the INFF process, forging strategic partnerships with all relevant stakeholders.” She underlined.