Government of the Republic of Serbia and the UN Country Team in Serbia launch new country Development Partnership Framework 2016 - 2020

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic and the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia Karla Robin Hershey, signed today the Development Partnership Framework between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the United Nations Country Team for the period 2016 to 2020. This document presents a comprehensive basis for the cooperation and assistance of the UN system, including 19 UN agencies, funds and programmes, aimed at encouraging and improving the overall economic, social and environmental development of the Republic of Serbia. The Development Partnership Framework is fully aligned with the national development priorities of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, as well as with the process of accession negotiations of the Republic of Serbia and the European Union and the UN Agenda for sustainable development by 2030. Estimated value of the programme activities for a five-year period covered by the Development Partnership Framework, amounts 170 million dollars (USD).

With its five pillars and nine outcomes to be achieved by 2020, Development Partnership Framework is a kind of road map for the further promotion of good governance and the rule of law, development of social and human resources, economic development, growth and employment, environmental protection, fight against climate change and building resilient communities, and integrating culture into the overall process of sustainable development. At the signing ceremony, both sides have expressed expectations that the five-year Development Partnership Framework will give a new impetus to the joint efforts to further promote cooperation between the Republic of Serbia with the UN system.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic thanked the UNCT, represented by the Resident Coordinator Karla Robin Hershey, for the persistent and dedicated work on the Development Partnership Framework, as well as the expectation that through the joint work of our ministries, offices and agencies of the UN system, Framework will be successfully put into practice in the interest of the prosperity of all citizens of the Republic of Serbia.