THE MALAWI FOREIGN POLICY: A CATALYST FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

THE MALAWI FOREIGN POLICY: A CATALYST FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 18th February, 2019

OUTLINE

❑Introduction ❑Justification ❑Definition ❑Policy Goal ❑Priority Areas ❑Implementation Arrangements ❑Monitoring and Evaluation ❑Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

 Up until the year 2000, the Government of Malawi had

been operating based on unwritten Foreign Policy on its interactions with the international community since independence in 1964.

 During this period, (1964 to 1993) Foreign Policy was

by Presidential decrees and directives.

INTRODUCTION

 The first written Malawi Foreign Policy was launched

in 2000 and was subject to five yearly periodical

• reviews. The 2nd Edition of Malawi Foreign Policy was,

therefore, overdue – No reviews were done up until to 2017.

 The Foreign Policy which will shortly be launched is

based on - conclusions of a synthesis report - comprehensive analysis

• f
• fficial

development assistance (ODA), trade flows, foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, tourist flows and diaspora remittances into the country since 1964.

CONSULTATIONS

 The MoFAIC - consultations with the Ministries,

Departments and Agencies (MDAs); Legislature; Academia, Private Sector, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the formulation of the policy.

 More so considering that – the Policy sets out goals,

• bjectives and means on how the nation can interact

with the international community for the realisation

• f the domestic development agenda.

ANCHORED ON MGDS III

 The Government is focused on translating the MGDS

III into tangible outcomes and benefits to the people

• f Malawi.

 This policy aims at utilizing the MGDS III as a tool to

mobilize inter alia: financial resources, technical assistance and transfer of technology in order to attain its goals and objectives.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 Sustainable

development is premised

• n

peace and tranquility, hence Policy’s emphasis on peace and security, promotion of human rights and democratic governance. Global Dynamics

 This

Policy review has, therefore, considered global dynamics, emerging issues, the vast challenges and

• pportunities in the 21st Century these include:

climate change, migration, digital and ICT revolution, unprecedented FDI flows, terrorism and transnational

• rganized crimes.

JUSTIFICATION

 This policy now empowers the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs and International Cooperation to carry out its mandate with clearly set objectives, goals and expected

• utcomes.

 The Ministry and all the relevant stakeholders will also

have a direction on taking the country forward in its development agenda.

 This

policy provides a reference

• n

how it complements other Government policies and in that regard emphasizes the need for collaboration and coordination by all relevant MDAs and stakeholders.

DEFINITION

 A country’s foreign policy consists of self-interest

strategies identified by the state in order to safeguard its national interest and to achieve specific goals during its engagement on the international arena.

 The Foreign Policy of the Republic of Malawi is,

therefore, a blueprint that serves to guide how the country conducts her foreign relations, while safeguarding her own national economic, political, social and cultural interests.

Aim of the Foreign Policy

 The

• verall

aim is to: inform, guide, and strengthen the conduct

• f

Malawi foreign relations with the international community.

 Protecting

national interest, facilitating the creation of favorable conditions for sustainable economic development, and improving the well- being of all Malawians.

POLICY GOAL

 The overall goal of this policy is to:

• to advance Malawi’s strategic economic, political,

social and cultural interests at the international level.

POLICY PRIORITY AREAS

 The Foreign Policy’s five (5) core thematic areas are as

follows:

 Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity;  Sustainable Development;  Peace and Security;  Democratic Governance and Human Rights; and  Environmental Management and Climate Change.

IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

 The implementation of the revised Foreign Policy will

involve participation

• f

several stakeholders, including:

 Ministries,

Departments and Agencies (MDAs), National Assembly, Private Sector, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs),

 ALL MALAWI CITIZENS.

IMPLEMENTING INSTITUTIONS

 Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity: Ministry of Defence,

Ministry of Homeland Security, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Malawi Defence Forces (MDF), and National Intelligence Bureau (NIB);

 Sustainable Development: Ministry of Industry, Trade and

Tourism; Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development; Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC); Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies; Malawi Communication and Regulatory Authority (MACRA); Malawi Confederation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) and Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS).

IMPLEMENTING INSTITUTIONS

 Peace and Security: Ministry of Defence, Ministry of

Homeland Security, Ministry

• f

Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Malawi Defence Forces (MDF) and National Intelligence Bureau (NIB); and

 Democratic Governance and Human Rights: Ministry

• f Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Malawi Law

Commission, Office of the Ombudsman; Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and Council for Non- Governmental Organisation of Malawi (CONGOMA).

IMPLEMENTING INSTITUTIONS

▪ Environmental Management and Climate Change:

Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, including Department

• f

Climate Change, Department of Meteorology and Department of Forestry.

 Cross Cutting Stakeholders: The Malawi National

Assembly, all Malawi citizens at home and abroad - Diaspora, business community, etc

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

“If we cannot measure it, we cannot do it”

 The implementation of the Policy requires an

effective and efficient Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system.

 The system shall provide feedback information

needed to identify implementation challenges and gaps.

 Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan of this

Policy with appropriate performance indicators,

• utputs and targets.

CONCLUSION

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International

Cooperation will successfully implement the Policy through effective collaboration and coordination with all the relevant stakeholders.

 There will also be need to be vigilant and alert on

any emerging developments on the international scene and respond accordingly through a policy review or other appropriate ways and means.

NEXT STEPS

ACTION, ACTION, AND MORE ACTION!

I THANK YOU

For Your Attention