UN in Libya launches Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2023-2025

Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Georgette Gagnon attended the launch event.

“The Cooperation Framework is a vehicle to support inclusive, diversified economic growth that advances the human rights and wellbeing of all people in Libya,” said SRSG Bathily in his opening remarks.

The Framework supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, a set of global targets adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as an urgent call to countries to address inequality, foster economic growth, and protect the environment. Based on a common country analysis, the improved humanitarian situation in the country and extensive consultations with a wide range of stakeholders from across Libya, it outlines a transition from humanitarian to more development-and peace building focused work.

It establishes four strategic priorities to align the work of the UN and government actors in Libya. It focuses on:

• Peace and governance;
• Sustainable economic development;
• Social and human capital development; and
• Climate change, environment and water.

“The Framework is a key tool to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, which remain the most effective way to address the root causes of conflict, prevent violence and build peace,” SRSG Bathily said.

“I call upon all stakeholders to make the year 2023, a year of stability and peace. Our partnership can achieve these development results only if there is peace, stability, and economic growth in this country.”

“I urge Libya’s leaders to listen to the call of their people to put an end to the interim stages, establish security, and prepare for elections. These are the conditions for a successful partnership between Libya and the UN,” he added.

During the event, D/SRSG Gagnon, other members of the UN Country Team, representatives from Libya’s ministries of planning, local governance and foreign affairs and the Prime Minister’s office, presented the Cooperation Framework to development partners and agreed on the importance of coordinated and coherent support by both national and international stakeholders.

“The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Libya ushers in a new phase of support aimed at advancing sustainable peace and development,” said D/SRSG RC/HC Gagnon. “Underpinned by the principle of partnerships and collaboration with the government and stakeholders across the country, the UN Framework aims to ensure that the most vulnerable people are at the center of Libya’s development and peacebuilding agenda.”