Presentation of CPD 2009-2013Distinguished Director General of Planning, In the name of UNICEF and our colleagues from the Ministry of Planning and Development, allow me to welcome you and thank you for accepting our invitation. Your presence here this morning reaffirms your commitment, which has never been in doubt, even at the height of the country’s crisis. Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, We have now reached the third generation of cooperation between the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and UNICEF since the UNICEF CI office was promoted to country office status. The most recent 5-year plan stated as its major objective, “Within the framework of the national strategy in the fight against poverty, to contribute to improving the living conditions of women and children while promoting respect and enforcement of their rights, in particular for the most vulnerable groups.” Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, The 2003–2007 cooperation program was designed to favor convergence in specific areas. These areas were selected on the basis of detailed situational analyses, which helped to understand a number of problems identified by the General Population Census of 1998 and surveys such as the 2000 MICS. Unfortunately, we were not able to implement this approach because of the military and political crisis following September 19, 2002. Thereafter, it became a priority to confront the emergency situation according to our “Core Commitments for Children in Emergencies”. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, We believe that in this manner we have to a degree helped relieve the major problems of Côte d’Ivoire’s population. Certainly we can only understand the impact of our actions if we acknowledge the alternative scenario. We must answer the question what would have happened without the intervention of all those like yourself, who drew from the true meaning of their humanism in responding to the problems experienced by this country’s population. Many of these problems persist and slow down the country’s progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The new program is thus of the utmost importance for the 7 years between now and 2015, if we are to fulfill the MDGs. During the coming 5-year period we shall have to deliver the maximum if Côte d’Ivoire is to reach the MDGs. In deciding to scale up our interventions to the national level, we rely on your contribution. All children have the same rights!
Applying our Accelerated Child Survival and Development Strategy (ACSD), we will provide free access for all vulnerable population groups to all intervention packages with a high potential of reducing infant and juvenile mortality and morbidity. This includes immunization, neonatal and maternal health, nutrition, water, hygiene and sanitation, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT) and pediatric care and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Working toward the objective of education for all, all school-age children will have access to basic, quality education and will finish the primary school cycle. We will strive for gender equality to become a reality in access to schooling and continued enrolment. Girls’ Education Strategy (UNGEI) will effectively help reach this goal. Respect, protection, promotion and enforcement of children’s rights will be a central feature of our interventions for Child Protection. At the same time, gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices will be reduced and all of their victims will be appropriately cared for and treated. National capacities for development and implementation of social policies with a focus on children will be reinforced. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, All of these projected results will remain lip service if we do not help to consolidate the new peace and if we do not implement an extended and consolidated partnership. This is why I am very happy to see the considerable progress made in the DSRP process, the operational framework for the MDGs. I also welcome publication of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). Throughout the process, we have appreciated the willingness of agencies to work together in achieving results which change the population’s lives. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, The current Country Program will be the strategic guide for cooperation between the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and UNICEF between 2009 and 2013. In the name of both the Government and UNICEF, I appeal to all our current partners and to all who are in a position to work for the well-being of women and children in Côte d’Ivoire and for the respect of their rights.
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