A three-day Inclusive and Sustainable New Communities (ISNC) Implementation Workshop and Global Project Meeting has commenced today, with the UN Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative (RCRR) Rosa Malango calling on partners to strengthen efforts against environmental degradation.
According to the RCRR, the UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and jointly generate local solutions to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
With funding from the UNDP, the Korean and Ugandan governments, the ISNC project promotes community-based local development through the Saemaul Undong (SMU) model, largely used in Korea.
‘At the UN, we believe development should not be at the expense of development. Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) enjoins us to protect the environment and natural resources. We need to support the restoration of these vital wetlands, educate the communities and help the encroachers find alternative livelihoods. The consequence of all these is droughts, hunger, disease and displacement’ the RCRR said.
He said that the pilot phase of the ISNC project ends this year, and that over the next three days, delegates will share success stories, best practices, knowledge products, and challenges from the implementation.
‘… These examples to show you how ISNC project is helping reverse this onslaught on the environment. You have taught communities the importance of protecting the environment, hygiene, saving and working together. You have encouraged beneficiaries to use energy saving cook stoves and the sustainable briquettes,’ Ms. Malango said.
The meeting has drawn delegates from Bolivia in Central America; Myanmar, Vietnam and Lao People’s Democratic Republic all in South east Asia and from East Africa, hosts Uganda and neighbouring Rwanda.
