El Fasher, 6 September 2013 – Enhancing support to the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) and progress made towards the implementation of the Darfur Development Strategy were among the many issues discussed on 5 September at a coordination meeting between the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and the African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

The meeting, held at UNAMID’s headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur, was co-chaired by UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative and Deputy Head of Mission Joseph Mutaboba and U.N. Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator and U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Sudan Ali Al-Za’tari.

Among the issues discussed were ways to engage with different stakeholders in support of the Darfur Development Strategy—an initiative aimed at implementing reconstruction projects and addressing governance issues—which was endorsed at the April 2013 Doha Donor’s Conference for development in Darfur.

The meeting welcomed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Government of Sudan and the UNAMID Police in the areas of capacity building and community policing. 

Furthermore, the participants highlighted the upcoming high-level Sudanese Delegation’s visit to the U.N. headquarters which is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the U.N. and the Government. Also raised were recent developments in Darfur emphasizing the critical role that the U.N. family has to play in enhancing engagement with the DRA, most notably in building upon the capacity of the body.

Mr. Mutaboba commended the Country Team’s collaboration with the Mission, particularly humanitarian relief provided to the local population in responding to floods which, according to the Sudanese Government, impacted more than 20,000 people throughout Darfur.

Coordination meetings between the Country Team and the Mission are designed to strengthen the partnership between the parties, ensuring complementary and mutual support in addressing issues related to the peace process, humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians.