UNICEF Executive Board approves the Niger new country programme 2019-2021
UNICEF Executive Board approved at its first session this year (5-7 February) the new programme of cooperation between the Government of Niger and UNICEF.
NIAMEY (Niger), 8 February 2019 – Presented by UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Marie-Pierre Poirier, the Niger country programme is based on a solid theory of change, which is the result of a participative and collaborative process with the Government and a wide range of stakeholders at all levels. It pays special attention to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children and communities.
“The proposed country programme aims to accelerate progress in four key result areas for children: immunization; stunting prevention; quality education and addressing child marriage. It will promote national scale-up of successful approaches, with a focus on modelling sustainable institutional and community-based systems for the most deprived regions and population groups,” she stated when presenting the programme to the Board members.
“To promote national ownership, the programme will accelerate a strategic shift from a predominantly service-delivery mode to more important investments in systems strengthening and capacity-building. Adolescent development and participation will be emphasized across all programmatic areas.”
The vision for the new country programme is to support the Government towards ensuring that all children, especially the most vulnerable, enjoy their rights; adolescents and youth are empowered; communities and systems are strengthened and resilient; and humanitarian assistance and development address the structural causes of fragility and vulnerability.
"Niger has made considerable progress in advancing children’s rights. The child mortality rate significantly decreased over the past decade. Substantial development in legislations, policies, strategies and programmes have been achieved over the past years. While a number of challenges remain, this programme will allow us to accelerate efforts to address them," says Félicité Tchibindat, UNICEF Representative in Niger.
"UNICEF is committed to strengthening its support for Niger, based on the priorities set by the Government and taking into account the United Nations System's programming framework (UNDAF)".
The new programme covers three years (2019-2021) and close to US$190.3 million are required for its implementation. "UNICEF is appealing for solidarity to help mobilize these resources to ensure that no child is left behind in Niger," concluded Tchibindat.
From 5 to 7 February 2019, the first regular session of the 2019 UNICEF Executive Board took place at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ) in New York. The session was led by the UNICEF Executive Board 2019 President H.E. Omer Dahab Fadl Mohamed, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sudan to the United Nations and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore.
The Executive Board is the governing body of UNICEF, providing intergovernmental support and oversight to the organization, in accordance with the overall policy guidance of the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. The Executive Board reviews UNICEF activities and approves its policies, country programmes and budgets. It comprises 36 members, representing the five regional groups of Member States at the United Nations.
More information on the Niger-UNICEF country programme 2019-2021 can be found here
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