Government commends UN Resident Coordinator for sound leadership

Government has commended the outgoing United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Beatrice Mutali for providing collaborative and inclusive leadership during a period marked by major national emergencies and development challenges. Speaking during a farewell meeting today, Vice…

Government has commended the outgoing United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Beatrice Mutali for providing collaborative and inclusive leadership during a period marked by major national emergencies and development challenges.

Speaking during a farewell meeting today, Vice President Mutale Nalumango said Ms Mutali played a key role in strengthening coordination among UN agencies, cooperating partners, the diplomatic community and government in responding to emergencies and advancing Zambia’s development agenda.

Mrs Nalumango cited the Cholera outbreak, drought and other disasters as some of the major challenges Zambia faced during Ms Mutali’s tenure.

“Your leadership was collaborative. You brought coordination to this particular operation and inclusive leadership came out during these difficult times,” said Mrs Nalumango.

She noted that the partnership also contributed to aligning Zambia’s development agenda with the National Development Plan and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

The Vice President said the relationships established during the tenure should continue to be strengthened based on mutual trust and respect between government, UN agencies and other development partners.

“Under you, for me, I see that relationships have been built. It is my hope that colleagues that remain and those that will come will continue to build these relationships built on mutual trust and mutual respect,” She said.

She also said Zambia would remember the outgoing UN Resident Coordinator for helping to foster unity, trust and cooperation among stakeholders during both national emergencies and the country’s development process.

Meanwhile, Ms Mutali reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to remaining a steadfast and trusted partner in the country’s development agenda.

Ms Mutali said the UN would continue working with the Zambian government as the country prepares its Ninth National Development Plan and the next UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

She said the partnership between Zambia and the UN had been strengthened over the four years of her assignment.

She said the UN would continue focusing on priorities including investment in people, strengthening resilience, protecting domestic institutions, accelerating gender equality, creating opportunities and securing sustainable financing for development.

“As preparations for the Ninth National Development Plan and the next United Nations Cooperation Framework continue, I encourage us all to remain focused on the priorities that matter most,” she said.

She pointed out that the partnership had also evolved from responding to emergencies to strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience, further citing collaboration with the Disaster Risk Management Division in supporting anticipatory action and disaster preparedness as evidence of the shift towards investing in measures that prevent or reduce the impact of disasters, among other interventions.

Ms Mutali acknowledged that the partnership had not always been perfect and welcomed constructive feedback from government and other partners.

“If there are moments when the United Nations could have listened more carefully, moved more quickly or responded more effectively, we welcome those reflections,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to Vice President Nalumango, the Zambian government and the people of Zambia for the trust, friendship and partnership extended to her and the UN during her four-year assignment.

“Zambia has been more than just my duty station. It has been my home,” she said.

Ms Mutali has since assured government that although her assignment had come to an end, she would remain a friend of Zambia and a strong believer in the country’s future.