'Progress Should Benefit Everyone'

Najat Rochdi, Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Cameroon, talks on joint efforts to address poverty.

What motivated the choice of the Secretary General of the United Nations message for the celebration of the 68th Day of the UN?

The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, was insisting on the fact that the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, have helped the international community to have poverty by half. But obviously, it is very important that we sustain all the efforts in supporting government policies and strategies in addressing inequalities.

This is because all the outcomes of the post- 2015 process were very clear in terms of sustaining the efforts to address poverty eradication and more importantly to underline the importance of addressing inequality and iniquity. Sustainable development is really the main message.

Peace and security as we underline in sustainable development is definitely part of the strategies here in Cameroon. As the United Nations System, we are there to support and to keep accompanying the government in its efforts to address sustainable development, poverty eradication and iniquity.

Concretely, how is the United Nations supporting and accompanying the government?

There are different supports. First of all, the government tells us and we identify the priorities together and the important areas to address. Based on that, the Specialized Agency or the UN partner will bring its technical expertise, human resources, networks and other partners so as to accompany the implementation of the strategies of the government and the achievements of the visions of the government.

What specific recommendations to government?

The specific recommendations are underlined and clearly stated in the post-2015 report. The report on the post-2015 development agenda process was presented here in Cameroon in September 2013. Obviously, it is very important to keep addressing inequalities. The government of Cameroon has made great progress in terms of development and addressing poverty alleviation. It is very important that the progress benefits the entire population.