The 2030 Agenda invites UN agencies to closer cooperation

Both Finland and its partner countries are implementing the Global Sustainable Development Goals. UN Resident Coordinator tells about the progress made in Tanzania.

In its future plans, Tanzania concentrates on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which were adopted last year. The UN Country Team (UNCT) plays a key role in coordinating the measures of various actors. In Tanzania, which is Finland's long-term partner country, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Alvaro Rodriguez is the UN’s designated team leader.

Although only approximately five per cent of Tanzania’s development finance is channelled via the UN, great expectations are directed to its role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, says Alvaro Rodriguez.

What does the 2030 Agenda mean for the UN?

The Agenda will have a major impact even though its effects on our work will become tangible only gradually.  This is a historic achievement: such a comprehensive overall framework for development cooperation is unprecedented. This does not mean that all countries would stand equally determined behind each goal – for example SDG 16,  Promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies, is viewed from different angles in different countries. The Agenda is not perfect but it certainly is as good as can be achieved in an organisation in which each Member State has interests and administrative structures of their own.

The Agenda also facilitates the UN’s Delivering as One reform, which aims to enhance cooperation between the UNCTs. The challenge often faced by the different specialised agencies involves the question of overlap between the roles of different organisations – their mandates are broad, because the problems they deal with are diverse by nature. The 2030 Agenda is a framework where each organisation can easily serve as one component of a common solution: the 17 goals provide a universal framework, in which each organisation can select the component that is best suited to their strengths and then contribute to the table such special expertise as brings the most added value.

1. What has Tanzania done to promote the implementation of sustainable development?

Tanzania played a very active role in the international process in which the sustainable development goals were drafted. In the same year, the Tanzanian Government was engaged in the reform of its national five-year Development Plan, which helped in setting the national goals in line with the new goals set by the UN. The current administration has actively strengthened the national mobilisation of financial resources and taxation and directed domestic funds to support development.

However, there are numerous challenges. The 2030 Agenda is based on the principle that no one is left behind. In a country with a vast area and some 50 million inhabitants, it is difficult to reach the ones in need of support. There are disparities in the provision of services in cities and rural areas as well as in their availability for men and women. The Government continues its efforts to root out harmful practices such as female genital mutilation.

2. What would you tell people who ask: “Why don’t we see development even though Tanzania has been supported for a long time?”

First of all I’d say that this is not true. Much has taken place! Basic statistics related to education, maternal health or life expectancy indicate that considerable progress has been made compared to the situation some years ago.

It is important to remember that new challenges, such as climate change, have emerged along the way. Additionally, the population growth rate is still high in Tanzania. Another matter that causes insecurity is the fact that the Tanzanian economy continues to rely on raw materials: world market prices vary and Tanzania is in many respects dependent on imports because its industrial production is weak.  Over the past 15 years, Tanzania’s economy has grown by about 7 per cent a year, but it would be important to ensure that the poorest people also benefit from the growth. Tanzania’s development must be assessed against the background of the entire global world.

3. How do you see the significance of the UN and traditional assistance in a situation where the private sector is assuming a growing role also in the 2030 Agenda?

I think that assistance, trade and international investments are mutually complementary means and Tanzania needs them all. Even though the role of trade and investments is expanding, there will always be areas which they will not necessarily ever reach.

These are related to, for example, a democratic regime and human rights, or climate change, which will have major impacts on the population also in the dry regions that do not attract investments. There will be room and demand for both.
 

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