Minister Ben Phiri, UNDP Co-Host High-level D4D Alliance Engagement with Development Partners in Lilongwe

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Malunga Phiri and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Fenella Frost on Wednesday co-hosted a high-level Decentralisation for Development (D4D) Alliance engagement with development partners in Lilongwe.

The D4D Alliance brings together government, development partners and local authorities to advance local governance reforms in Malawi.

Dr Phiri said the alliance represents a deliberate and strategic step toward unifying efforts around common priorities, harmonised support and coordinated action.

He described the engagement as the beginning of what is envisioned as a sustained and institutionalised dialogue platform, emphasising that collaboration is essential and that the alliance will maximise impact, reduce duplication and strengthen accountability.

In her remarks, Frost said development partners will continue coordinating closely with the ministry in support of the Malawi Government’s decentralisation agenda.

Heads of Mission and Cooperation from the embassies of Iceland, Ireland, the European Union and Belgium, as well as representatives from the British High Commission, World Bank, International Fund for Agriculture Development For Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and UN Women, attended the engagement.