GoB-UN POP 2010-2014 - UNFPA Botswana

GoB-UN POP 2010-20144.3 Risk Management52. The GoB-UN POP partners have identified thefollowing risks that may impact the realisation ofthe results set forth in this document.a) A major policy lesson identified by the NPD10 MTR isthat Botswana is susceptible to economic shocksespecially those that have global dimensions. Aspart of strengthening the economy’s resilienceto such shocks Botswana is adopting a strategythat focuses on building up financial reservesthrough the judicious management of nationalresources and the selection and implementationof only those projects that have the highestsocial returns. The occurrence of economicshocks will limit the ability of the Governmentto respond to the needs of vulnerable groups.The UN will continue to support and advocatewith the Government of Botswana to maintainlevels of social expenditure and scale-up effortsto reduce poverty, counter rising disparities,and ensure access to social services and socialprotection.b) Botswana’s ability to further scale-up effortstowards the realisation and protection of therights of Batswana is closely intertwined with theability to grow a diversified inclusive economy. Inpursuing this goal the country faces a number ofinfrastructure related vulnerabilities including issuesof security of energy and cost competitiveness.The UN will support the Government’s effortstowards economic diversification and seek tomitigate the effects of slow diversification andassociated spending limitations by leveragingresources for social investments, supporting workthat aims to improve efficiency, effectivenessand accountability for the public resources.c) The contribution of the UN towards the realisationof the results outlined in the GoB-UN POP 2010-2014 is premised on the UN being able to mobiliseadditional resources to meet the funding gap.Botswana being a middle income country maynot be considered a priority country by donors.The UN will adopt a multi-pronged strategy toreduce the resource challenge and mitigate itseffects. The strategy will consist of: a resourcemobilisation plan emphasising the need for andvalue of UN engagement in a middle incomecountry; leveraging of resources towards GoB-UNPOP priorities; and enhanced aid coordinationtowards the attainment of national goals. Inaddition, the UN will strengthen its technicalsupport to the Government of Botswana bymaking sure that the NRAs participate morein providing such technical support by beingavailable to support the resident agencies thatmay have more resources for activities at countrylevel.d) Successful translation of the strategic intent ofthe UN system in providing support in a middleincome country is dependent on the abilityof the UN in Botswana to provide high qualityexpert advice and support, and the ability todeploy such capacity where it is needed on atimely basis. The UN in Botswana may not haveall the required expertise nor be able to securethe expertise owing to funding constraints. Tomitigate the effects of inadequate in-countryexpertise, the UN will utilise the services ofconsultants; facilitate the utilisation of expertisefrom other UN offices, especially NRAs; exploreinnovative arrangements for accessing relevantexpertise; enter into cost-sharing arrangements;and draw upon the opportunities offered bySouth-South and triangular cooperation.e) Natural disasters and climate change impactsare likely to accelerate over the coming period.The economic and social impacts of naturaldisasters and climatic events are already verysignificant. The UN Country Team will continueto work closely with the Government to ensureeffective responses to climate change andnatural disaster management, including bysupporting coordination across governmentinstitutions and sectors.20 GoB - UN POP 2010 - 2014