The Government of National Accord (GNA) hosted today in Tripoli the first meeting of the Senior Policy Committee (SPC), which brings together high representatives of the Libyan Government, donor countries, the European Union, the United Nations and the World Bank. The SPC serves as a decision-making body on matters related to the coordination of international assistance to Libya.

The meeting, which was chaired by H.E. Mr. Fayyez Al-Serraj, Prime Minister and President of Presidency Council of the GNA and co-chaired by Deputy Head of UNSMIL Maria do Valle Ribeiro, aimed at discussing ways to strengthen international partnership for Libya based on GNA's key priorities to improve the living conditions of the Libyans.

"This meeting comes at a time when Libya is in need more than ever for coordinated efforts to tackle the challenges facing the stabilisation and the recovery of the country," PM Fayez Sarraj said in his opening statement. "We have high hopes that this meeting will push forward the coordination process and the launch of cooperation projects that contribute to changing the situation of the Libyan citizen for the better," he stressed.

The deputy Head of UNSMIL thanked the GNA under the leadership of PM Fayez Sarraj for convening this meeting. "It is an important opportunity for all of us to engage with the Libyans to support Libya, not only on the political side, but also on what is going to make a difference to the lives of children, women and men of Libya," Maria do Valle Ribeiro said.

The provision of basic services (health, water and sanitation, education, electricity), economic recovery and governance are the key priorities identified by the GNA during the meeting, which required the support of the international community. The GNA also underscored the need for support in the fields of rule law, security sector and migration in addition to supporting the High National Election Committee in conducting elections that Libyans look forward to, as highlighted by PM Sarraj's opening statement.

Welcoming the GNA's objective to enhance the living conditions of the people in Libya, participants emphasized the importance of national ownership of coordinating the international assistance, and agreed on a set of outcomes that should guide the future coordination efforts of the international assistance to Libya.

The SPC will continue to convene frequently in Libya to follow up on actions taken and respond to emerging humanitarian and development issues.

Distributed by APO on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).