Remarks at UN Uganda Multi-Partner Trust Fund Steering Committee Meeting

Dear Members of the UN Uganda Multi-Partner Trust Fund Steering Committee,  

I am very happy to welcome you to the first meeting of the UN Uganda Multi-Partner Trust Fund Steering Committee!

First of all, let me take this opportunity to express deep gratitude to the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Uganda for the landmark support to the implementation of the UN development system reform agenda in Uganda and allocation through the UN Uganda Multi Partner Trust Fund in support of the UN Emergency Appeal for Covid-19 Response and its impacts in Uganda in the amount of 20 million Norwegian Kroner (US$ 2.1 million).

With the UN Appeal finalization in October 2020, significant efforts remain necessary for recovery efforts that will be aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Uganda, 2021-2025. I am very pleased to note that the Kingdom of Norway allocation has been catalytic in establishing the UN Uganda Multi Partner Trust Fund that will support the implementation of the SDGs in Uganda through our Cooperation Framework. I wish to use this opportunity to convey my profound appreciation to all UN staff and partners who have contributed to saving lives and restoring fragile livelihoods for the most vulnerable since we launched the Appeal in April.

We are meeting today to:

1. Review the progress in implementing initiatives in the thematic areas identified the UN Emergency Appeal for response to Covid-19 and its impacts launched in April 2020, including an overview of lessons, challenges
2. Formally announce launch the UN Uganda Multi-Partner Trust Fund as a pathway to support greater synergies between UN and NGOs in response to priorities during the next five years.
3. Review the key most critical needs due to the impact of Covid-19 and floods and decide on the allocations within the catalytic Norway allocation.

I would like to thank UN and NGO partners who have worked together in co-leading and coordinating the Emergency Appeal implementation through Thematic Working Groups. I thank you all for your commitment and hard work to address the emergency and recovery needs demanded by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since the launch of the UN Emergency Appeal, we have benefitted from contributions valued at US$ 44.3 million which have enabled us to sustain critical programmes. In addition, five UN agencies have collectively mobilized US$ 5 million to protect refugees, particularly women and children, eliminate gender-based violence, support shelters for victims, and address emergency nutrition and health needs through the CERF.

Our recently launched UN Socioeconomic Impact analysis of Covid-19 revealed significant

increases in the number of victims of violence and loss of livelihoods. Informed by these findings, we are developing new partnerships to address those most at risk of being left behind.

Among the new partnerships and initiatives implemented in response to this analysis, I would like to highlight the partnership with the Youth SDGs Coalition and the National SDGs Secretariat to give a voice to youth across the country by inviting them to participate in the One Million SDGs Solutions Innovation Challenges. In addition, the UN system and Stanbic Bank have set up an Economic Enterprise Restart Fund to target Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations and Village Savings and Loan Associations in order to support youth and women with limited access to formal financial services. The UN System also partnered with local governments in Rwenzori, Uganda Investment Authority and OWC to develop investment profiles in 5 key economic sectors as part of our efforts to promote investment across the peace-development nexus.

Despite this, the processes of legal agreements and allocation of resources with MPTF Office have taken time, we are meeting as the Steering Committee to review the needs and make decisions to enable projects to be implemented and to respond to the needs of affected people. It is my hope that going forward we will be more agile, better able to prioritize and respond to emerging needs of those who need support the most. For this our collective support in promoting awareness for the MPTF, ensuring robust leadership and enhancing information sharing will be important.

Thanks for your attention.