The UN development system in Ethiopia has identified four critical priorities structured around the “4Ps” of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: People, Peace, Prosperity and Planet, helping to address the four big structural transformations of the country over the coming five years: demographic; governance; economic and environmental.

The four identified areas of change for Ethiopia to make progress on these transformations and progress towards the SDGs, includes the need to: improve human development and enhance the resilience of the people living in Ethiopia; strengthen social cohesion, peace and security and human rights; accelerate the economic transformation and create employment opportunities; and enhance the country’s resilience against natural disasters.

“The cooperation framework represents the renewed commitment of the UN development system to support Ethiopia’s development priorities and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the country in an integrated manner, with a commitment to leave no one behind, human rights and other international standards and obligations,” said Dr. Catherine Sozi, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia.

H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide noted that “the Cooperation Framework is the planned support of the UN Agencies to the national development priorities of Ethiopia as shown in the Ten Years Perspective Plan and the Home Grown Economic Reform.”

The framework is signed at a time when the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 being felt across Ethiopia. “As Ethiopia’s sustained growth and improved social indicators could severely be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations is committed to continue supporting the people and Government of Ethiopia in the response (management of immediate health and economic shocks) and recovery based on the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 in Ethiopia, which is also accepted by the Ethiopian Government,” said Dr. Sozi. “There is a need to not only build back, but build back better, by improving on systems that already exist and support new approaches that allow Ethiopia to enter the digital age.”

In this regard, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide also mentioned that “the signing of this Cooperation Framework took place at a critical time for Ethiopia, where Ethiopia undergoes a major strategic shift to embark on a transformational growth while fighting against the COVID – 19 pandemic.