Programme Director;
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers;
Your Excellency, Mr Nelson Muffuh, United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa;
Heads of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes;
Directors-General and other Senior Government Officials;
Representatives of our Chapter: 9 institutions;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Distinguished Commissioners of the National Planning Commission.
Representatives of Civil Society, Organised Labour, Business, Academia and Development partners;
Members of the Media;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Good morning.
It is a great honour to be here today as we officially sign the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2026 to 2030. This moment is not just about signing another partnership agreement. It reaffirms our shared commitment to work together toward a South Africa that is more inclusive, prosperous, resilient, and just.
Let me thank all of our partners, in particular the United Nations Country Team, under the sterling leadership of the Resident Coordinator, for their constructive collaboration in developing this Framework.
I also want to recognise the contributions made by government departments, provincial and local governments, organised businesses, organised labour, civil society, academia, and our development partners throughout this process.
Your involvement shows that sustainable development cannot be achieved by the government alone. It needs collective leadership, shared responsibility, and lasting partnerships.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today's ceremony marks an important transition. The first signing of the Cooperation Framework confirmed our shared vision. It represents something even more significant—it shows our collective readiness to shift from planning to action, from commitments to measurable outcomes, and from aspirations to real improvements in the lives of our people.
As the Department responsible for planning, monitoring, and evaluation across government, DPME places great importance on ensuring that international cooperation supports our national development goals, strengthens our institutions, and leads to better development outcomes for South Africans.
This Cooperation Framework comes at a crucial time in our country's development journey.
The Government of National Unity adopted the Medium-Term Development Plan (2024–2029) as the strategic program for this administration. The Plan focuses on faster and more inclusive economic growth, sustainable job creation, poverty reduction, improved public service delivery, infrastructure development, energy security, strong institutions, and a developmental state that puts citizens at the centre of governance.
These priorities acknowledge a simple yet profound truth: sustainable development is ultimately about expanding opportunities for people—creating decent jobs, enhancing education and healthcare, strengthening communities, and restoring dignity through inclusive economic participation.
The government's ongoing program of structural reform—including initiatives such as Operation Vulindlela, infrastructure investments, improvements in the energy and logistics sectors, and efforts to create a more competitive economy—aims to unlock South Africa's long-term growth potential. Achieving these reforms requires capable institutions, technical expertise, and strategic partnerships.
The United Nations is a key partner in this journey.
Excellencies,
The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework has been intentionally aligned with South Africa's national planning framework.
This alignment reflects a principle that South Africa has consistently supported—that development cooperation must be nationally owned, country-led, and tied to domestic priorities rather than dictated by external agendas.
The Cooperation Framework will be the main platform through which the UN Development System will support South Africa over the next five years. This support will come through policy advice, technical assistance, innovation, institutional strengthening, knowledge sharing, and strategic partnerships.
This Framework also reinforces South Africa's commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union.
As we strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we understand that our national priorities and our global commitments support each other. Economic inclusion, gender equality, climate resilience, social protection, youth empowerment, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability are not opposing aims—they are complementary foundations of sustainable development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
South Africa's experience over the past year has highlighted the value of international cooperation.
During our G20 Presidency, we consistently called for stronger multilateral cooperation, more inclusive global governance, sustainable financing for development, and partnerships that respond to the needs of developing countries. We emphasised that development challenges cannot be met through fragmentation or isolation, but through solidarity, shared responsibility, and collective action.
These same principles are at the heart of this Cooperation Framework.
The United Nations remains an essential partner in helping countries build stronger institutions, share knowledge, enhance resilience, and speed up development outcomes. In return, South Africa is committed to being a constructive global partner that promotes regional stability, sustainable development, and international cooperation.
Distinguished guests,
The true success of this Framework will not be judged by today's signatures.
It will be measured by whether young people find meaningful work.
Whether communities gain access to reliable public services.
Whether women and vulnerable groups have better economic opportunities.
Whether institutions become more capable, ethical, and responsive.
Whether inequality decreases and poverty declines.
And ultimately, whether the quality of life for all South Africans improves.
This demands disciplined implementation.
It needs evidence-based policymaking.
It requires stronger monitoring and evaluation.
It requires accountability.
And most importantly, it requires partnership.
I welcome the creation of the joint governance structure, including the thematic Working Groups that will oversee the implementation of the Framework. These groups will enable the government and the United Nations to jointly monitor progress, identify emerging challenges, enhance coordination, and ensure our combined efforts focus on delivering measurable impact.
As we sign this Cooperation Framework today, let us remember that development is ultimately about people.
Behind every policy, every program, and every indicator are the hopes and dreams of millions of South Africans who seek opportunity, dignity, and a better future for themselves and their children.
Let this Cooperation Framework become more than just a planning document. Let it be a practical tool for speeding up implementation.
Let it deepen trust between the government, the United Nations, and society.
Let it inspire innovation, investment, and collaboration.
And let it contribute to a South Africa that is more prosperous, equitable, and resilient.
Together, we have the chance—and the responsibility—to ensure that this partnership delivers lasting results for current and future generations.
I Thank You.
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