Namibia's mission at the United Nations has called for further efforts to address persistent funding challenges, reduce fragmentation and strengthen transparency and results-based management in the UN Development System (UNDS).

Namibia's Permanent Representative at the UN, Penda Naanda, adds that there is also a need to ensure that the repositioned UNDS is fully equipped to support countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Ambassador Naanda said Namibia appreciates the efforts of resident coordinators and UN country teams in promoting greater coherence, efficiency, and partnerships at the country level.

In this regard, he pointed out that Namibia welcomes continued efforts to strengthen the Resident Coordinator system, enhance cooperation among UN entities at the country level, and improve the alignment of UN support with national priorities and sustainable development objectives.

Ambassador Naanda noted that the UNDS has an important role to play in supporting countries to harness innovation in ways that respond to national circumstances and priorities, adding that Namibia, therefore, underscores the importance of a well-coordinated, adequately funded, and country-focused UNDS that delivers integrated support across the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus where appropriate.

The diplomat said that the 2026 UN Economic and Social Council's (ECOSOC) meeting on development activities is a good chance to move forward with the Pact for the Future by making the United Nations development system more effective, organised, and responsive.

Ambassador Naanda was speaking at a High-Level Dialogue with the UN Secretary-General on the 2026 ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment at the UN headquarters in New York in the United States of America.