A long anticipated moment has arrived: The signing of a MoU between SASSCAL and the UNDP took place on the 7th of July, 2017 at the UN House in Windhoek, Namibia.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Kiki Gbeho and other senior officials from the UNDP, the WHO and other collaborators falling under the umbrella of the UN house, were in attendance. The SASSCAL Executive Director, Dr Jane Olwoch, and the SASSCAL National Director of Namibia, Mr Peter Erb, represented SASSCAL at this important signing ceremony.
A welcome address was given by Mr Nelson Zaakapi from the UNDP, followed by remarks from the Executive Director of SASSCAL Dr Jane Olwoch. Dr Olwoch expressed her delight to represent SASSCAL at this signing ceremony. Further saying, that signing a MoU with the UNDP is one of SASSCAL’s contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The Executive Director stressed that SASSCAL is committed to this agenda, by increasing skills and capacities in the region, and by contributing to effective decision making processes on sustainable development, through reliable data and decision support systems. In her final remarks, Dr Olwoch noted that the value of data is in its use and this partnership with the UNDP will also bring SASSCAL a step further towards the achievement of its goals.
(left to right) Ms Kiki Gbeho and Dr Jane Olwoch signing the SASSCAL-UNDP MoU; Attendees looking forward to a fruitful collaboration.
The UN Resident Coordinator Ms Kiki Gbeho expressed her appreciation to SASSCAL, for taking up this call. In her remarks, Ms Gbeho mentioned that information and data are key for every institution, and more so for the UNDP. Making data and information available efficiently enhances the quality of its usage and its utilisation for various stakeholders. In addition, the Resident Coordinator stressed that the UNDP is fostering this partnership in order to support Namibia, to move its agenda forward.
Dr Charles Sagoe Moses, the representative from the WHO, who was also part of the signing ceremony, emphasised that creating such important partnerships is the best way to generate evidence based data. He further stressed that the SASSCAL-UNDP MoU serves to support the Government’s determination to pursue an ‘All Inclusive’ agenda, which makes it possible for work to be carried out in an efficient and solid manner. The delivery of products and services, by research institutions, should always make an impact on society’s needs.
