UNDP AND UNFPA COUNTRY PROGRAMS FOR MALDIVES

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001734

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/EDA, PRM/POP AND SA/INS
TREASURY FOR GEETHA RAO
MANILA FOR USADB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EAID ECON PHUM MV UNDP
SUBJECT: UNDP AND UNFPA COUNTRY PROGRAMS FOR MALDIVES

Ref: STATE 175157

UNDP program
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1. Post endorses UNDP country program for Maldives for 2003-

2007. UNDP'S overall objectives of reducing poverty and
disparities are in line with national priorities of
equitable development identified by the Government of the
Republic of Maldives (GORM) in its sixth national
development plan (6NDP) and 2020 vision. Although Maldives
has seen rising per capita income, the data masks
significant disparities in income and development especially
in the outer atolls. Therefore, the UNDP's focus on
development of the less privileged populations in the outer
islands, together with GORM programs and a proposed Regional
Development Project funded by the Asian Development Bank,
could make an appreciable difference in the lives of people
living in atolls.


2. UNDP efforts to improve the focus and relevance of
income generating activities through micro credit will also
help meet a much needed requirement of the Maldives to find
employment avenues for the unemployed.


3. The UNDP resident representative plays a useful and
important role in coordinating UN system agencies; UNDP is
one of a few UN or international agencies with a physical
presence in Maldives.

UNFPA program
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4. Post also supports the UNFPA country program for
Maldives, which focuses on the following areas: national
reproductive health program, access to reproductive health
services in atolls, adolescent sexual and reproductive
health, inter-sectoral collaboration in population and
development, community based initiatives for women's
empowerment, and the use of mass media in advocating gender
equality. The focus of UNFPA programs is in line with
population sector priorities identified by the GORM in the
UNDP. In particular, reproductive health programs are vital
for Maldives as a large portion of the population is still
below 30 and has the potential for a rapid expansion of
population. The proposed program deals adequately with
Women's socio-economic status.


5. USAID has not been operating any programs in the
Maldives recently.

AMSELEM