Zambia

Under the Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) 2007-2010, the work of the Strategy and Policy Unit of UNDP (SPU) has continued to focus on developing capacity at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning for pro-poor policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.  This is being achieved through developing the capacity of ministry staff to undertake strategic studies as well as support the production of high-quality policy studies that are of direct policy relevance to the government.  This support has also been extended to tertiary institutions such as the Institute of Economic and Social Research (INESOR) and the University of Zambia (UNZA) to nurture the capacity to formulate home-grown pro-poor economic policies.  This is being done by supporting the deepening of the Human Development (HD) paradigm through the introduction of the HD course at UNZA, production of National Human Development Reports (NHDRs), and promotion of dialogue on HD through National Development Forums.  Furthermore, the SPU has been promoting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Campaign through further sensitization activities, especially in provinces, where there have been no activities in the past. The Unit has also been developing capacity for MDG-based planning for planners in Lusaka and from strategic Ministries at the provincial and district level as well as civil society organizations.  SPU also monitors progress towards the MDGs through the production of MDG Reports, which are published once every two years.