COVID-19 has changed the world and we should learn from this unprecedented pandemic to establish a more inclusive, resilient and effective emergency response for the future”, said the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, in his video message, this morning, at the opening of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) virtual retreat focusing on “Together for a resilient and inclusive recovery towards 2030”.
He extended his gratitude to the UN, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, for providing rapid response facility to help the country with the COVID-19 socio-economic response plan which is guiding actions for the protection of health, jobs and well-being of the population in Mauritius.
Mr Jugnauth also pointed out the UN’s support following the oil spill and wreck of MV Wakashio last year. Speaking about the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Mauritius, he stated that they are at the forefront of climate emergency, and that a robust disaster and management system that can be promptly deployed to limit the damage from oil spills is also needed.
The UN has always been a privileged partner and one of the main providers of technical assistance, policy design and socio-economic progress to Mauritius, said the Prime Minister, adding that the close cooperation has strengthened with the Strategic Partnership Framework 2019-2023 which has supported the implementation of Government’s national vision and development plan to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Mr Jugnauth also stated that the COVAX Facility set up to assist States is a multilateral approach that should be further enhanced with the collaboration of vaccine providers.
With regard to the impacts of the pandemic, he pointed out that the resulting economic consequences have permeated throughout the economy, disrupted lives and livelihoods. Key economic sectors have been severely affected and the economy of the country has contracted by around 14%.
The Prime Minister underscored that Government has implemented a number of unprecedented measures to ensure the health and safety of the population and contain the repercussions of the pandemic. One of the pressing concerns of Government, he said, is to preserve employment and to make sure livelihoods of people are not disrupted.
The important role of the UN in the region to address maritime security and safety challenges such as piracy, human trafficking, terrorism, drug trafficking, marine pollution and illegal and unreported fishing was also evoked by Mr Jugnauth. He underlined Mauritius’ important geo-strategic location when it comes to traffic lanes in the Indian Ocean.
Government is keen to have all UN agencies partner and work together so as to deliver as one voice, said the Prime Minister.
In her remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Christine Umutoni, stated that the UNCT retreat will enable to reflect on past achievements and discuss COVID-19 recovery strategies that promote resilience, sustainability and inclusion while facilitating collaboration at regional level.
Speaking on the work done in 2020 by the UN, she stated that it focused on support to the COVID-19 response which was conducted in ways that aligned to the Cooperation Framework, the Agenda 2030 to support long term national efforts towards sustainable development.
She pointed out that in the wake of the pandemic, the UN agencies worked with Government and stakeholders to develop dialogue series that helped understand the impacts of the crisis, and feed policy discussions on shaping meaningful responses.
The theme for the UNCT 2021 retreat – “#Together for a resilient and inclusive recovery” will not remain a hashtag but will become a reality, she stated.
Source: Government Information Service
#beSafeMoris
