In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa on 3 April 2008, the DRC government and the UN agencies of UNICEF, UNDP and UNFPA signed a new five year programme action plan for the country, for the years 2008 to 2012. 
In attendance for the signing ceremony was the DRC Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Mr. Alain Lubamba, resident UN agency system coordinator Mr. Ross Mountain, as well as the following UN agency country directors: Mr. Adama Guindo (UNDP), Ms. Margaret Agama (UNFPA) and Mr. Tony Bloomberg (UNICEF).
The plan of action defines in detail the political and strategic frameworks, as well as the approaches and objectives of the three UN agencies concerned.
Mr. Ross Mountain said that the action plan was a continuation of UN involvement in the DRC that dates back to its independence in 1960.
?UN agencies are constant partners to the DRC, with 18 UN agencies working closely with the population and the government. Together we will work towards the reconstruction of the country,? he said.
?The issue should not always be on money. It is important to reflect on the contribution of the UN with its political neutrality, backed by the international community and its international expertise which is here, through the UN, to help resolve the country's problems,? he added.
Mr. Lubamba hailed all DRC's international partners for their contribution in helping to rebuild the country, and said that ?the priority area for the DRC is poverty reduction,? as well as ?improving access to healthcare and education.?
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) two main programme objectives in the DRC are good governance and the fight against poverty. Its aims at contributing to the emergence of a state in which citizens human rights will be respected, and a state which will give its citizens an opportunity to attain a reasonable standard of living.
The UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) will focus its attention in the DRC on child and youth development, gender issues and HIV/AIDs. Areas in which UNICEF will be involved include health and nutrition, access to drinking water and the improvement of family and community practices that impact on their survival.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has three main areas of work in the DRC: health and reproduction, population and development, and gender issues. As part of the new programme, UNFPA will give an overall support to 22 health zones in the country's 11 provinces with a view to reducing HIV/AIDs for youth, women and victims of conflict in particular.
