UN Resident Coordinator’s Speech
End of Year Reception with UN Development Partners
Wednesday, 13 December 2023
Honourable Ministers,
Senior Government officials here present,
Representatives of the Head of Missions/Embassies,
UN Colleagues,
(All protocol observed)
It is with great pleasure and honour that I warmly welcome each and every one of you to this year’s End of Year Reception on my own behalf and on behalf the United Nations Country Team of Eritrea. This is an occasion where we come together to celebrate the remarkable partnerships that have been forged over the past years. Today is not only a reflection of our shared achievements but also an opportunity to set the stage for the exciting ambitions that lie ahead.
Partnership is the cornerstone of whatever we aspire to do together with and for the people of Eritrea. This is much more pronounced with the vision of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. SDGs with their ambitious goals call for the partnership and collaboration of various sectors and stakeholders, seamlessly combining financial resources, knowledge, and expertise.
The SDG summit in September this year marked the midway point since the rollout of the SDGs. The report shows that progress is off-track for many of the SDGs globally. That calls for revamping and recouping the momentum lost in the past few years mainly due to the COVID 19 pandemic and the deleterious impacts of climate change. To turn the existing trajectory of the SDGs, the significance of cross-sectoral and innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships cannot be overstated.
To that end, while acknowledging Eritrea’s positive progress on some of the SDGs, the UN reaffirms its’ commitment to work in tandem with all relevant partners and more so with the Government of the State of Eritrea to the realization of its’ national vision. I would also like to acknowledge Eritrea’s readiness to keep track of progress on the SDGs and preparations to the 2024 Voluntary National Review on the SDGs. This will be the second time the country will successfully be presenting its VNR at the High-Level Political Forum in New York. I wish to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to accompanying the Government in the preparation of its VNR.
I have to say that this End of Year event goes beyond the joyous celebration of our achievements; it is a platform for fostering even stronger ties among the United Nations, GoSE and development partners. Let’s take a moment to reflect on our collective work that signifies our collaboration and to express our sincere gratitude for the unwavering support that each partner has contributed, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Let me extend my deepest gratitude to the Government of the State of Eritrea for its’ steady leadership and commitment to the implementation of the Cooperation Framework. We are able to deliver only with the strong structures and contribution of all within each of your responsibilities that extend to the community level. It is a true example of partnership in action!
In closing, I extend my deepest appreciation to every one of you for your tireless efforts, dedication, and commitment to the goals and ideals we jointly share. May this event not only be a celebration of the past but also a launchpad and beacon of hope for the future, where our collaborative efforts continue to flourish.
Thank you for honoring our invitation. I wish you all with your respective families a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year.