The result of a process that began in December 2020, this program, called Country Program Development (CPD), was developed on the basis of interdepartmental consultations by component of the Country Program activity organized by the Moroccan government and the UNICEF Office in Rabat, with all the national stakeholders concerned.
The CPD draws on the capital and experience of previous cycles to strengthen the partnership between Morocco and UNICEF and for a better positioning of the UN body within the United Nations team in Morocco, we read in a document submitted to the press.
Developed in a participatory manner with ministries, national institutions and civil society, the Morocco-UNICEF CPD is aligned with the broad outlines chosen for the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CCDD 2023-2027).
It was also designed in accordance with the strategic axes of the New Development Model launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, as well as the Government Declaration 2021-2026, it is indicated.
In an informal meeting held in hybrid format, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Adele Khodr, clarified that this programme is structured around four main strategic areas of intervention, namely education to achieve nationally defined learning skills and abilities and equitable and quality health and nutrition services to cover disadvantaged areas.
It is also about the protection of children against violence and respect for their rights to protection, in addition to social inclusion and the coverage of inclusive and universal social services to support the most vulnerable children, noted the UN official.
This program is also aligned with Morocco’s national priorities and the government’s orientations as reflected in the integrated public policy for child protection launched in 2014, and its implementation plan aimed at promoting the creation of a protective and equitable environment for all children in Morocco, particularly the most vulnerable, she said, adding that the Program has established a number of cross-cutting issues covering capacity building, advocacy, communication, the gender approach, intersectoral and territorial convergence, innovation and digitalization and project modeling as well as South-South and triangular cooperation.
The UN official also indicated that this program is accompanied by a results framework that contains a set of monitoring and evaluation indicators covering UNICEF’s strategic interventions and assessing contributions to national targets in the area of childhood development.
As for the financing of this Program, its estimate amounts to 45 million dirhams, she said, specifying that this amount will be mobilized through regular resources (9.2 million dollars) and other resources (36.3 million dollars), distributed over the four components of the said program.
Speaking at the opening of this meeting marked by the participation of the director of the UNICEF Office in Rabat, Speciose Hakizimana, the ambassador, permanent representative of Morocco to the UN, Omar Hilale highlighted the excellent partnership relations between Morocco and the UN agency.
These relations are consolidated through exemplary cooperation and support for Morocco’s various development programs in the field of childhood, he said.
The implementation of the activities planned in the CPD will contribute to further strengthening the partnership with UNICEF, Mr. Hilale stressed while highlighting the leadership of Ms. Hakizimana and her efforts deployed for the finalization of the CPD in consultation with national stakeholders including civil society.
2024-08-16 23:32:18