During the year, UNDP has made considerable progress in terms of implementing the CO’s partnership strategy. A wide range of partnerships has been developed to effectively achieve the SRF outcomes.

An effective working relationship has been established with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs, which provides the overall coordinating role for development assistance and ensures that UNDP programme support and interventions are relevant to national development plans and policies. Strategic partnerships with the office of the Director General of the Cabinet, the Judiciary and National Legislature, the Ministry of Education, UNESCO National Commission and Human Rights and Democratic Institutions have led to increased awareness, at all levels, on issues and concepts of good governance. UNDP is working closely with government and other key national partners in the preparation of the Mid Term Development Plan, in a highly participatory nationally driven process. In terms of private sector development, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Finance, the Liberian Business Association and the National Investment Commission have been instrumental in the formulation and implementation of policies and regulatory frameworks with UNDP support.

Given the importance of sustainability and ownership, strategic partnerships have been developed with community leadership, local authorities, CBOs and NGOs. UNDP has associated closely with local human rights organizations such as the Female Lawyers Association (AFELL), the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) and the Center for Human Rights Organization in effectively advocating for the application of SHD concepts and policies.  

Effective coordination and collaboration of UN System operational activities have been achieved through UNDP’s partnership with sister UN Agencies, as Resident Coordinator. Substantive achievements include the Development Dialogue, which provides a forum for open and frank exchange of information and views, ideas and best practices on development issues, and also the five UN thematic groups, which facilitate collaborative and more integrated UN programming.  

Strengthened partnerships with the African Development Bank resulted in UNDP being designated to manage its funds for support to rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the south east of Liberia .  World Bank and IMF missions rely considerably on the field presence of UNDP to support in substantive terms, through the provision of data and policy opinions their regular monitoring missions. Even though the international climate is not conducive for mobilizing resources for Liberia, strategic partnerships with the African Development Bank and USAID has resulted in some cost sharing arrangements. This constitutes a significant step towards achieving the RMT targets. A sub regional CAP is under discussion for the countries in the Mano River Union including Cote D’Ivoire . This would be very useful in terms of mobilizing much needed resources for the reconstruction and recovery programme for Liberia . This is especially important, as it is not evident that given the current image of the government, a country specific mechanism would be of significant use in mobilizing resources.