The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Towards long-term sustainable development in Paraguay
A nationwide project is helping to address road infrastructure challenges and foster sustainable development by strengthening the capacity of local public services.
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2 and 11 December 2024
The final training session in a series of four took place over two days and was attended by 40 participants. Delivered in partnership with the National Emergency Secretariat, the two-day training strengthened governorate officials’ skills on disaster risk management.
In total, 140 governorate officials were trained across the series, covering topics such as strategic planning, risk management, institutional communications and road asset management.
In partnership with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies of Paraguay (MITIC) and the UN Information Center (CINU), UNOPS provided 22 governorate officials with training on strategic institutional communication.
The one-day event was attended by Alejandra Duarte Albospino, the Vice Minister of MITIC, who highlighted the opportunity for those working with communications to become agents of positive change within their communities.
8 November 2024
24 additional pieces of machinery were handed over to ten governorates during an event attended by the President of the Republic of Paraguay, the Vice President of the Republic of Paraguay, as well as other government officials and the 17 governors.
During the event, the Council of Governors presented the Strategic Planning 2025-2028 – developed with UNOPS support – to the President, Vice President and national authorities.
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28 and 29 October 2024
In collaboration with local partners, UNOPS provided training on road asset management, to enhance road infrastructure and ensure safety in maintenance and operation of road machinery.
47 participants from 17 governorates attended the two-day training.
- The first training of a series of four was held in Asunción and was attended by participants from 17 governorates. Focused on strategic planning, the two-day event aimed to strengthen the structure, operations, planning and management systems of the Council of Governors of Paraguay to support regional and national development.
24 June 2024
- 10 additional pieces of road and agricultural machinery were delivered to the governorate of Caazapá at a handover event attended by officials from national and local government.
Paraguay faces a significant infrastructure gap in its road network – 73 per cent of the country's roads are unpaved, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, hampering safety, accessibility and economic development.
In partnership with the government of Paraguay and Itaipu Binacional, UNOPS has procured 175 pieces of road and agricultural machinery – such as motor graders, tractors, backhoe loaders, dump trucks, harrow equipment and excavators – to 17 governorates across the country.
The equipment delivered has been procured in an efficient and cost-effective manner and sourced entirely from local suppliers. This will enhance the provision of local public services – ensuring they are better equipped to manage road infrastructure improvements and helping to strengthen agricultural production in their communities.
By making roads safer and by facilitating the commercialization of local products, the project contributes to fostering economic growth and sustainable development for the people of Paraguay – in line with the country’s national development priorities.
Today we are taking a step towards a more just society.
“[The project] has involved the collaboration of all the governors, of all the institutions. This is an important step that we are taking, but there is still a long way to go,” said Santiago Peña, President of the Republic of Paraguay at a ceremony this week marking the delivery of the last machinery.
"This collaboration with Itaipu Binacional and UNOPS is essential so that the local governorates can carry out their projects more effectively and efficiently, positively impacting the lives of our citizens," said Norma Zárate de Monges, President of the Council of Governors and Governor of the Department of Paraguarí.
Training will also be provided to each of the 17 governorates to build local capacity and ensure the sustainable use and maintenance of the equipment and machinery delivered.
“We are experiencing a celebration of trust and joint work between the government of Paraguay and local governments," said Justo Zacarías Irún, Director of the Itaipu Binacional in Paraguay. "Today, more than the 175 machines delivered, we celebrate the strengthening of decentralization,” he added.
“UNOPS is committed to supporting Paraguay on its path towards sustainable development, providing solutions that not only respond to current needs but also prepare the country for the challenges of the future,” added Roberto Carrillo Castillo, Director of UNOPS in Paraguay.
