The Government of the Republic of Moldova and United Nations on May 16 signed a US$ 155.5 million development assistance program for the years 2018-2022. The new program of cooperation, “Republic of Moldova-United Nations Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2018-2022”, is guided by national development priorities, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, IPN reports, quoting the Government’s press service.

The document was signed by Prime Minister Pavel Filip and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Moldova Dafina Gercheva in the meeting of the United Nations-Republic of Moldova Partnership Framework Coordination Committee. The program will help Moldova overcome its development challenges in four priority areas: governance, human rights and gender equality; sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth; environmental sustainability and resilience, inclusive and equitable social development.

At the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said the 2018-2022 cooperation framework will address the challenges existing in the field of development and ensure the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and is in line with the strategic development priorities of the Government. “We are confident in the advancement of our cooperation with the UN, which aims at supporting the Government’s effort towards sustainable development,” he stated.

Under the Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2018-2022, the UN will work together with the Government of the Republic of Moldova to make a lasting contribution to national human rights and development priorities and to improve the living conditions of all the people living in the country, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

The United Nations established a presence in the Republic of Moldova through its specialized programs and agencies soon after the country’s adherence to the United Nations in 1992.