The ZUNDAF is the UN's strategic planning instrument that identifies national priorities, policy and programme areas in which the United Nations together with cooperating partners provide assistance to the Government. Its aim as explained by the Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Retired Colonel Christian Katsande is to improve the quality of life of the people of Zimbabwe.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Alain Noudehou, commended the progress the country has made with regards to MDGs, with noticeable progress in the social sectors. He also highlighted some challenges that do remain in key development areas which include the high incidences of poverty, child and maternal mortality, as well as raising unemployment levels.

The government expressed its commitment to the implementation of the ZUNDAF. "On behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, we are determined to see that the development assistance availed is managed with greater accountability and transparency" said Dr. M.J Sibanda, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet. He called upon the UN to focus more on development programming, "It is my sincere hope and trust that the programming thrust for the UNCT will shift from relief to recovery and hence result in more resources being channeled towards development rather than humanitarian activities," he said.

The ZUNDAF will be implemented and monitored under leadership of relevant government institutions and in collaboration with development partners, including bilateral and multilateral donors, non-governmental organisation, civil society and the private sector. Its implementation is costed at a minimum of USD600 million for the four years.

"Implementation of the ZUNDAF will require the establishment of solid partnership while at the same promoting national ownership. Partnerships with donors, the private sector, and civil society will be critical to leveraging all the interests, knowledge and resources necessary to implement the ZUNDAF", said Mr. Noudehou.

The government commended the spirit of partnership and mutual collaboration demonstrated throughout the ZUNDAF development process and urged that this spirit continue throughout the implementation of the agreed programmes under ZUNDAF. It also acknowledged support the UNCT renders to the GoZ in its quest to formulate and implement policies and programmes to improve the livelihoods of the people of Zimbabwe.

The 2012 to 2015 ZUNDAF was designed at a strategic level, providing a flexible and responsive framework, and adapting in a holistic manner to emerging issues and challenges. It therefore incorporated principles of recovery and development. Increased effectiveness through UN coherence and stronger partnerships are the key underlying principles for its implementation.

The seven key priority areas identified by the ZUNDAF are:

• 1. Good governance for sustainable development: Promoting justice and rule of law; peace building; accountability; and, people's participation in democratic processes.

• 2. Pro-poor sustainable growth and economic development: Promoting economic management and pro-poor development; decent employment opportunities; and, generation and utilization of data.

• 3. Food security at household and national level: The main focus is on policy and action frameworks for enabling agricultural productivity and production.

• 4. Sound management and use of the environment: Focusing on environment management, energy and climate change policies and systems.

• 5. Access to and utilization of quality basic social services for all: The focus is on improved delivery of education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, housing, and social protection services.

• 6. Universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. 

• 7. Women's empowerment, gender equality and equity: Supporting the establishment of laws, policies and frameworks to ensure women's empowerment, gender equality and equity.

The ZUNDAF was signed by the government represented by Dr. M.J Sibanda, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet; the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Alain Noudehou; and UN Heads of Agencies from UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, FAO, UNDP and ILO also signed the framework. From this framework, UN Agencies are going to develop their Country Programme Action Plans for the period 2012 to 2015 together with the government and development partners.