The Planning Commission and the United Nations in India on Monday signed the United Nations Development Action Framework (UNDAF) 2013-2017 to focus on joint development work in nine States.
The Framework, the third with India, articulates the UN's vision, strategy and plan of action in support of the national development efforts over a five-year period, and will further the efforts of the UN in Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.
The selection of these states is based on the analysis of key statistical indicators related to poverty, inequality, human development, literacy and gender with disaggregation for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, a Planning Commission release said. Besides, it will also consider selected interventions in the North-East.
The Framework was jointly signed by Ms Sudha Pillai, Member Secretary, Planning Commission, and Mr Patrice Coeur-Bizot, UN Resident Coordinator.
Ms Pillai said, “The document articulates the right values and intentions, and it would be desirable to ensure that all actions of the UN System were measured against the intention of the document through annual reviews.”
The UNDAF 2013-2017 is harmonised with the 12{+t}{+h} Plan objectives of faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth, and will work towards the achievement of six development outcomes: inclusive growth, food and nutrition security, gender equality, equitable access to quality basic services, governance and sustainable development, the release added.