2006/42
TEHRAN, 5 March (UNIC): The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Nations System is meeting today to review progress made towards achieving the targets in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Iran 2005-2009.
What is UNDAF? UNDAF is an essential component of the UN programme for reform introduced by the UN Secretary-General in 1997. It provides a collective, coherent and integrated UN system response to national priorities and needs within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals and the commitments, goals and targets as set out in the Millennium Declaration and major UN and other international conferences.
UNDAF for Iran is the result of a close consultative process between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the UN System and other national partners. Approved in 2004, it is a strategic planning framework for UN development work at the country level, which has been endorsed by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Under UNDAF, five areas of cooperation were identified:
Strengthening capacities and capabilities for achieving the MDGs,
Strengthening good governance,
Improving economic performance of management and generating employment,
Sustainable development, disaster management and energy efficiency, &
Facilitating the transfer of science and technology.
These five areas cover different aspects of development. The programmes covered by UNDAF are run in close collaboration with the Government.
To give a few examples of such collaborative programmes:
Education: Community-based education modules were developed, 300 teachers and 300 female assistant teachers were trained to use the modules in Sistan and Baluchistan, among other provinces. Support was provided to a local NGO to provide non-formal education to 500 Afghan children, mainly girls. Vocational training courses were also organized for these children to help develop their livelihood skills. Additionally, with the Bam Model School Complex, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is introducing an inclusive learning friendly environment for girls from pre-school to secondary; 45% of the construction of this project has been completed and it is likely to be inaugurated in September 2006. UNESCO is also working on the rehabilitation of the citadel of Bam. UNHCR has contributed to promoting equal educational opportunities to refugees. In June 2005, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) negotiated with the Iranian government a considerable decrease (up to 80%) in school registration fees for Afghan refugee boys and girls.
Poverty alleviation: United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Area-Based Development (ABD) in Shirabad in Zahedan, in Sistan-Baluchestan province, micro-credit and job creation schemes were set for 5000 women-headed households. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has been giving support for reactivation and establishment of micro and small women and youth enterprises in Bam with entrepreneurial and technical training using E-learning.
Health: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is assisting to improve the management and quality of reproductive health care with the development of family planning guidelines and strengthening of health management information system, training of 100 Behvarz midwives and conducting a preliminary study on reproductive health morbidities for men and women. In Bam, the United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF) Community Based Nutritional program in primary schools benefits 4,043 girls and 3,858 boys. Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been making provision for medical equipment and ambulances, training for health staff in the filed, diseases surveillance and Bam health city programme.
HIV/AIDS: In response to the threat of HIV/AIDS as a development challenge, UN agencies have been working with a wide range of actors in and outside the Government. UNDP, WHO, UNFPA, UNODC, UNICEF and UNAIDS, have contributed to this effort, which has involved work related to advocacy, education and information, prevention and care, communication strategy and capacity development.
Narcotic drugs: The UNODC, with its new 3-year programme (2006-2008), is assisting the Iranian government in reducing the trafficking in narcotics into, within and outside the country and promoting the rule of law through strengthened crime prevention measures and the provision of legal assistance.
Good governance: Responding to the requests and needs of the Government, UNDP is offering services in four areas of democratic governance: parliamentary development; greater access to justice; promoting human rights; and access to information for civic participation in Iran.
Environment: UNDP’s Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP) supports projects promoting environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods through local participation. This programme has been active in capacity building of civil society organizations. Among the well known projects under this programme include the conservation of Hawksbill turtles in Qeshm Island and the development of artificial reef pyramids, also in Qeshm Island.
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