13 November 2018, Maputo, Mozambique– The APRM Task Team led by Ambassador Omar Mona, Lead Panelist in Mozambique met with UNDP Country Office in Maputo, Mozambique.
The meeting started in full swing after introductions of the APRM Task Force and UNDP representatives who were in attendance. UNDP Country Director, Mr. Martim Maya gave an overview of what UNDP thought were threats to peace, security and stability in the country.
Mr. Maya said UNDP identified three key elements of fragility in Mozambique and these are: 1) Natural risk and climate change fragility that include the lack of preparedness of the country in adaptation to climate change. He said this risk has an overarching impact on socio-economic state of the country especially from impact of drought, flood and El-Nino phenomenon. 2) Fragility related to the decrease in commodity prices and; 3) Peace process fragility as related to the emerging political process from the peace pact that ensures participation of the previous militants in the process of governance.
The UNDP Country Director further outlined the challenges that the people of Mozambique are facing, including among others:
1. Slowdown in the economy due to the decrease in commodity prices;
2. Over 65% of the total population under the age of 25;
3. Lack of food security;
4. Immigration challenges – concerns that the young generation does not appreciate the rural appeal going by their focus on the urban life;
5. Fiscal decentralization: Fiscal transfer to municipalities is more political than as enshrined in the constitution. This has added to the fragility as the existing infrastructures are mainly horizontal (to the ocean) for pull out resources from the regions than vertical, which links the northern part with the southern part etc….

Ambassador Omar Mona responded by thanking the APRM Strategic Partner for their sterling work and their continued support to the people of Mozambique and to the APRM. She said the work done by UNDP contributes toward sustainable development in the Continent.
The Task Team is set to meet government officials and representatives of state institutions later today.
End…….