25 March 2019 – Today, Ms. Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator, led three UN Country Team members who were recently appointed as Representatives of UN agencies in Cambodia to present their credentials to H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The three representatives, Mr. Nick Beresford, Resident Representative of UNDP, Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, Representative of UNESCO, and Ms. Cristian Munduate, Representative of UNICEF, used this opportunity to symbolically demonstrate the United Nations Country Teams’ commitment towards working together.

The UN Agency representatives reaffirmed their support to the Royal Government and the people of Cambodia by providing innovative and context-specific solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Together, with the Government and development partners, the UN representatives reaffirmed their commitment to implement practical actions ensuring that no one is left behind.

The UN Resident Coordinator also informed H.E. Deputy Prime Minister about the ongoing efforts of the United Nations development system reform. The reform aspires to strengthen the UN’s capacity and coordination systems to better support achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

"The UN Agency representatives reaffirmed their support to the Royal Government and the people of Cambodia by providing innovative solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," said Ms Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator.

In 2018, a landmark resolution was agreed by all 193 countries on 31 May (A/RES/72/79). The Resolution provides the mandates required for the Secretary-General and the UN system to take forward their collective responsibilities to make the United Nations (UN) fit for purpose to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As of January 1st, 2019, the functions of the UN Resident Coordinator are now separated from those of the UNDP Resident Representative. The Resident Coordinator is the highest-ranking representative of the United Nations development system in the country.

During the meeting with HE Prak Sokhonn, the UN representatives discussed on the preparation for the 2019 annual dialogue between the UN Country Team and Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The proposed topics for the annual dialogue are Social Protection, Data for Development and Voluntary National Review (VNR).

The 2030 Agenda requires bold changes to the UN Development System for the emergence of a new generation of country teams, centred on a strategic UN Development Assistance Framework and led by an impartial, independent and empowered UN Resident Coordinator.

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For media inquiries please contact Tim Jenkins, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator. Tel: +855 (0) 76 209 2612 Email: timothy.jenkins@one.un.org or Veronika Janouchova, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator. Tel: +855 (0) 12 367 924 Email: veronika.janouchova@one.un.org   

About the United Nations in Cambodia: The United Nations (UN) in Cambodia works to support peace, poverty eradication and human rights in the country. The UN is committed to enhancing development effectiveness in support of the priorities, plans and programs of the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), civil society and other relevant partners.