US embassy cable - 02COLOMBO1734

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001734 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR IO/EDA, PRM/POP AND SA/INS 
TREASURY FOR GEETHA RAO 
MANILA FOR USADB 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: AORC, EAID, ECON, PHUM, MV, UNDP, Maldives 
SUBJECT:  UNDP AND UNFPA COUNTRY PROGRAMS FOR MALDIVES 
 
Ref:  STATE 175157 
 
UNDP program 
------------ 
 
1.  Post endorses UNDP country program for Maldives for 2003- 
2007.  UNDP'S overall objectives of reducing poverty and 
disparities are in line with national priorities of 
equitable development identified by the Government of the 
Republic of Maldives (GORM) in its sixth national 
development plan (6NDP) and 2020 vision.  Although Maldives 
has seen rising per capita income, the data masks 
significant disparities in income and development especially 
in the outer atolls.  Therefore, the UNDP's focus on 
development of the less privileged populations in the outer 
islands, together with GORM programs and a proposed Regional 
Development Project funded by the Asian Development Bank, 
could make an appreciable difference in the lives of people 
living in atolls. 
 
2.  UNDP efforts to improve the focus and relevance of 
income generating activities through micro credit will also 
help meet a much needed requirement of the Maldives to find 
employment avenues for the unemployed. 
 
3.  The UNDP resident representative plays a useful and 
important role in coordinating UN system agencies; UNDP is 
one of a few UN or international agencies with a physical 
presence in Maldives. 
 
UNFPA program 
------------- 
 
4.  Post also supports the UNFPA country program for 
Maldives, which focuses on the following areas: national 
reproductive health program, access to reproductive health 
services in atolls, adolescent sexual and reproductive 
health, inter-sectoral collaboration in population and 
development, community based initiatives for women's 
empowerment, and the use of mass media in advocating gender 
equality.  The focus of UNFPA programs is in line with 
population sector priorities identified by the GORM in the 
UNDP.  In particular, reproductive health programs are vital 
for Maldives as a large portion of the population is still 
below 30 and has the potential for a rapid expansion of 
population.  The proposed program deals adequately with 
Women's socio-economic status. 
 
5.  USAID has not been operating any programs in the 
Maldives recently. 
 
AMSELEM