LocationsGovernor of Marsabit County, Honorable Ali Mohamud Mohamed
CAS Devolution & ASAL, Amb Hussein Dado
UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Siddarth Chatterjee
EU Deputy Ambassador, Ms. Katrin HAGEMANN
PS Devolution & ASAL, Mr. Micah Powon
Representatives of the County Government of Marsabit
UN Agency colleagues,
Distinguished participants
Community Members
Ladies and Gentlemen
All protocols observed
Talking Points
1. Convey compliments from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Africa Director, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa and those of the County Office team.
2. Cradle of mankind: Let me say what an honor it is for me to be here in the “cradle of mankind” for my first time ever and to be here to join in this launch of the Peace Dividends of the Cross-Border Cooperation between Kenya and Ethiopia for Conflict Prevention and Peace Building in Marsabit-Moyale Cluster
3. Note that: UNDP is pleased to partner in strengthening the peace and development nexus through cross border initiatives, which bring communities across borders together to transform conflict among themselves into peace dividends by enhancing the economic wellbeing of communities and the pursuit of socio-cultural progress. These programmes include:
i. Cross-Border Cooperation between Kenya and Ethiopia for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding in Marsabit-Moyale Cluster, which has brought us here today.
ii. Kenya (Turkana/West Pokot) - Uganda (Karamoja) Cross-Border Programme for Sustainable Peace and Development that was launched by the Kenyan and Ugandan Heads of state and culminated in the signing of an historic MOU on 12 September 2019 in Moroto, Uganda. As part of this programme, water projects in Turkana (Urum) and West Pokot (Nasal and Napitiro) counties have been prioritized and support is ongoing.
4. Recognize : For several years now, UNDP has been a partner in the Northern frontier of Kenya through the Cross-Border Cooperation between Kenya and Ethiopia for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding in the Marsabit-Moyale Cluster, by supporting Marsabit county in several initiatives, including:
· Supporting the Marsabit - Lake Turkana Cultural Festivals and Sports for Peace interventions in 2017 and 2018.
· Supporting the Bakalcha self-help group by providing tents, plastic chairs and water tanks, through our Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) project.
· Supporting the Bakalcha Annual Food and Cultural Festival for Peace and Harmonious Coexistence in Moyale, Marsabit County, in September 2019.
5. Reaffirm. Let me reaffirm the vitality and importance of partnerships and collaboration in addressing the development challenges facing communities across the borders and the readiness of UNDP as a thought leader, catalyst and convenor to play its role in that regard to achieve maximum impact. And here let me acknowledge the generous contribution of the EU through UNDP that has enabled us to be here today and be making this donation of much needed equipment to the communities that I am sure will go a long way in delivering the peace dividends we so keenly look forward to seeing take root in this region.
6. Underline the normative commitments that underline interventions by the UNDP. Central to our programming is promotion and inclusion of vulnerable groups and constituencies such as youth, persons with disabilities, women, among others, who have been marginalized. We are committed to ensuring youth and gendered dimensions to peacebuilding and conflict prevention are incorporated and ensuring no one is left behind in their aspiration for a better world. This ultimately contributes to international commitments
7. Note that the linchpin of our work in Governance and Inclusive Growth, Environment, Climate Change and Resilience, is to establish strong foundations where young people, women, and vulnerable groups become champions for peaceful co-existence; promote dialogue and can stand against incitement to violence; build grassroots structures that enhance cohesion building and become change agents. This is in line with UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 2250 on youth, peace and security; as well as UNSCR 1325, 2242 and related resolutions on women, peace and security.
8. Recall the linkages between the Cross-border Programme and Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Secretary General Vision on Prevention and Sustaining Peace, the African Union Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030. This programme of work contributes to SDGs 1, 2, 5, 13, 16 and 17 which are geared towards ending poverty, reducing hunger, gender equality, climate action, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development and building partnerships for development.
9. Underline that UNDP remains committed to this transboundary initiative, in line with the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and the Country Programme Document (CPD): 2018-2022. We are confident that the support to this cross-border programme would be one crucial avenue to help us walk with local communities in their aspirations towards peaceful, just and dignified lives. Let us also explore innovative approaches to prevent violent conflict, continuously monitor and mitigate risks and improve the livelihoods of the local communities and especially the youth and women.
10. Acknowledge that peace dividends such as 500 energy saving stoves distributed to women groups and the 100 Motorbikes distributed to youth groups are ultimately only impactful if they embody a commitment to sustainable conflict transformation, peacebuilding and economic empowerment. This in turn is a call for innovation and acceleration to ensure that the resources dedicated to such interventions deliver maximum effect.
11. Reiterate UNDP commitment to continue transboundary programmes and to support efforts to realize lasting peace, social cohesion, and human security. We are fully committed to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, the national and county governments, private sector, civil society as well as other partners, as truly that is the only way we can ensure that in the spirit of the SDGs we ‘leave no one behind’.