1. The United Nations contribution: Poverty Eradication and Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy Review Conference
Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation
25-29th July, 2016
Windhoek, Namibia By
Anita Kiki Gbeho UN Resident Coordinator

2. Presentation Outline UN’s global mandate
UN and global development and poverty
Namibia and poverty reduction
UN influencing global foreign policy
Conclusion

3. The UN’s mandate Maintain international peace and security
Promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
Develop friendly relations among nations
Foster international co- operation in solving economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian problems

4. UN & global poverty reduction
Redefinition of poverty from monetary to multidimensional characterization
Setting Global Agendas (Human Development Report; MDGs & SDGs)
Crafting Int. Agreements (Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Addis Ababa Agenda for Action, CEDAW, CPD)
Drafting Key Resolutions (Resolution 1325 on women peace and security;)
Set Policy and Craft Int. Law (Refugee and Humanitarian Law, Gender, Reproductive Health, Rights of the Child)

5. Global poverty reduction - Results
Over 1bn people lifted out of extreme poverty (from 1990 to 2015)
Halved number of out of school primary age children (from 100 million in 2000 to 57 million in 2015)
New HIV infections fell by 40 per cent (from approx. 3.5 million in to 2.1million in 2013)
Halved number of undernourished people in developing regions (from 23.3%-1990 to 12.9%-2014)
Over 80m people in 37 countries reached with Humanitarian Assistance in 2015

6. Poverty reduction in Namibia
Fastest reduction in poverty on the continent(41% over two decades)
99% enrollment at primary education level
First in Africa in terms of press freedom
Number 5 in Africa in terms of gender parity in parliament
4th most transparent country on the continent
84% of HIV positive people have access to ARVs

7. UN Support to Namibia poverty reduction
Through Standard Basic Agreement and Development Assistance Frameworks supported Health, Education, Institutional Environment and Poverty e.g.:
WFP support to national School Feeding Programme ( children annually)
UNICEF provided the research making the case for free Universal Primary Education
UNFPA supported the production of census data and its use in evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation
UNICEF/WHO/CDC demonstrated the potential of Health Extension Workers to bridge the gap between communities and health facilities
UNDP helped channel over USD 70 million since the mid-90s to improve national capacity to protect and conserve natural resources

8. Global challenges that (could?) impact Namibia
Conflict (10 conflicts ongoing in Africa)
Over 60 million people displaced globally (natural & manmade causes)
Poverty-inequality. Approx. 800 million classified as poor globally
Violent extremism
Transnational organized crime
830 women die every day from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth. About one woman every 2 mins
HIV remains one of the foremost health and development challenges of our time. Sub- Saharan Africa still accounts for over 70 per cent of new infections.

9. Namibia challenges Water, Energy, Environment
Poverty-inequality 27% of pop Namibia classified
50% drop out grade 10 Namibia
42% Namibians undernourished
39% youth unemployment in Namibia.
Implementation and coordination development programmes

10. UN role in influencing global foreign policy
Examples of the normative role the UN has played in developing ground-breaking agreements include:
Advocating and ushering in Independence: Namibia, Cambodia, East Timor
Framework for financing for development (Addis Ababa Agenda for Action)
Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development
Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which along with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction signal commitment to unified action

11. Namibia Role in Global and Regional Foreign policy
Namibias lead role in shaping global agenda:
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
The AU High Level Committee of the Post Development Agenda led to Common African Position on Africa’s input into the SDGs
Hosted the 31st session Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) ACP-EU June 2016, in Windhoek
Member of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State that has reaffirmed Africa’s common position on the UNSC reform

12. Conclusion: The UN wishes to remain Namibia's partner of choice!
How can UN continue to support the use of FP to achieve domestic objectives?
Opportunities: SDGs + leverage MIC status?
Continue & accelerate dual track approach: economic growth that is sustainable & creates jobs + social progress
And through FP:
-Expand Economic relations
-Strengthen bilateral agreements
-Intensify south/south & triangular cooperation
The UN wishes to remain
Namibia's partner of choice!