Accelerating the SDGs: Transformation in Action

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a global promise to create a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable future for all. While progress has been made, escalating conflicts, the climate crisis, and economic downturns threaten to derail our collective efforts. To overcome these challenges, a radical shift in our approach is required. We must embrace innovative strategies and leverage the interconnectedness of the SDGs to accelerate progress. 

What is needed is a systems change made possible through policy shifts, innovative investment opportunities, a multistakeholder financing mix and capacity building in critical areas with the potential to affect change across all the Goals. Countries around the world are utilizing these transformative entry points for systems change in education, energy access, food systems, climate action, digital connectivity, jobs and social protection – to drive change and achieve the SDGs.

Guatemala's Multi-Pronged Approach to Food Systems Transformation 

Guatemala is revitalizing its food systems to ensure sustainable food production, access to nutritious food for everyone, support for farmers, and environmental restoration. The country is incorporating strategies to address climate change in all food-related programmes, tackling these interconnected challenges and thereby accelerating SDG progress across several development priorities. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in collaboration with national actors, plays a pivotal role in supporting of Guatemala’s national roadmap for sustainable agriculture, nutrition, health, water sanitation, and encouraging healthier eating habits. 

The National School Feeding Programme, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) is a notable example. The programme not only provides nutritious food for children but also strengthens local economies by involving local producers in the food supply chain. Additionally, the "Great National Crusade Against Hunger," and subsequent “Hand in Hand” programme supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), WFP, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with resources from the Joint SDG Fund,  demonstrates the effectiveness of evidence-based strategies over time. By continuously monitoring and evaluating the public investment needed to reduce hunger (an estimated 3 per cent of GDP) and identifying gaps in access, distribution and storage, the initiative ensures resource are used efficiently and have long-term impact. The UN in Guatemala is also supporting the Household Social Registry (Registro Social de Hogares) to ensure social programmes reach the most vulnerable populations, including those facing food insecurity.

Guatemala’s comprehensive strategy showcases the country’s commitment to leaving no one behind while accelerating progress towards multiple SDGs through food systems transformation. 

North Macedonia's Green Financing Facility: An Accelerator 

North Macedonia's newly launched Green Financing Facility, a collaboration between the UN, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the government, exemplifies an innovative approach to SDG acceleration through affordable energy access. 

More than 60 per cent of the country’s electricity is generated by coal, with very limited use of renewable energy. The Facility is partnering with seven local banks to provide financing to households and small businesses transitioning to renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies. By bringing together diverse expertise, the Facility leverages catalytic funding to address energy access and affordability targeting underserved yet creditworthy populations, with ripple effects impacting their health, economic growth, and social well-being.

The UNCT, with support from the Joint SDG Fund, identified and prioritized specific groups, including female-headed households, single-parent families, and Roma communities, ensuring that the benefits of the initiative reach those who need it most. Furthermore, the programme empowers migrants to invest in productive energy solutions, fostering economic development and social inclusion.

The focus on smaller businesses, traditionally overlooked in loan allocation, empowers them not only to adopt energy-efficient technologies, reducing their operating costs, but also contributes to cleaner air and a healthier environment for all. North Macedonia's Green Financing Facility demonstrates how strategic partnerships and targeted interventions can unlock significant progress towards multiple SDGs. By enhancing energy access and affordability, this initiative also creates a ripple effect, impacting health, economic growth, and social well-being.

India's Digital Public Infrastructure: A Partnership for Progress

India's leadership in digital public infrastructure has been enhancing resilience and delivering essential services for all. One notable example is India's COVID-19 vaccination platform for online registration, appointment booking, certificate download and issue resolution CoWIN, which facilitated over 2.2 billion vaccinations, showcasing the impact of digital innovation on public health. Supported by the UN system since its inception, the CoWIN platform is now evolving into U-WIN a nationwide digital platform supporting all of India’s universal vaccination efforts.

India's G20 presidency geared toward linking the Global South and rallying it around a digital development agenda centered on connectivity infrastructure, digital financial inclusion, and data for development among other priorities, solidifying the countries’ commitment to digitalization and sharing their digital expertise. This has led to new South-South cooperation partnerships to accelerate the adoption of digital public infrastructure in other countries, with the support of the UN system. Indian entrepreneurs will present their innovative AI-powered solutions to achieve SDGs to an international panel of judges in 2024, in India, at an in-person meeting of AI for Good – an initiative led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) promoting artificial intelligence for positive social impact, in partnership with 40 UN entities.

The UN system is also fostering digital literacy and leveraging technology, in collaboration with the national Government, to counter misinformation, promote positive messaging and engage youth on issues like anti-discrimination and inclusion.

Jamaica's Education Transformation: A Collaborative Model for Inclusive SDG Acceleration

Jamaica is demonstrating how investing in education can accelerate progress across multiple SDGs. By focusing on creating safe, nurturing learning environments and addressing the global teacher shortage crisis through improved wages and qualifications, the country is prioritizing the foundation of a sustainable future.

A landmark Public Expenditure Review conducted by UNICEF and the World Bank provided crucial insights into education spending to the national Government, leading to increased budgets and targeted investments. The Resident Coordinator's Office, with financing from the Joint SDG Fund, is now coordinating the implementation of the several interventions to enhance the country’s educational outcomes, fostering collaboration between government, civil society, private sector, and youth leaders. This comprehensive approach ensures that investments align with national priorities and address the diverse needs of Jamaican students.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is playing a crucial role by enhancing teachers' digital skills, enabling blended and distance learning opportunities as part of a broader effort to create 21st-century classrooms. This focus equips educators with the tools they need to reach more students effectively. 

Jamaica is also creating an inclusive education system not only by providing online learning tools but by prioritizing early childhood development and essential resources like clean water and school meals. This multi-faceted approach exemplifies how investing in education can drive SDG acceleration, fostering a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable prospect for the country.

To learn more about the UN’s work on education, read our story on Transforming Education.  

Malawi's Accelerated Approach towards Jobs and Social Protection

Malawi is pioneering an SDG acceleration strategy focused on jobs and social protection, addressing the urgent needs of its young population and widespread unemployment, recognizing the interconnected nature of these challenges. The country was one of the first ‘Pathfinder countries’ that embraced the Global Accelerator on Decent Jobs and Social Protection, launched by the Secretary-General to address multiple challenges threatening to erase development progress through support for the creation of decent jobs, primarily in the green, digital and care economies, and social protection to people who are excluded.

The UNCT, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) headquarters in Geneva and under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator and the support of the RCO and the Joint SDG Fund, is now actively working with national stakeholders, including through extensive consultations with the Ministries of Labour and Finance, to localize action and develop a tailored roadmap on decent jobs for the way forward that aligns with national priorities and capacities.

The UN in Malawi is also playing a crucial role in support of Malawi’s commitment to expanding its social protection coverage, now servicing only about 10 per cent of its population, including by leveraging data and analytics to inform targeted interventions and engage diverse partners, including the private sector and non-traditional donors.

Recognizing the critical role of financing as an enabler for success, the country – with the support of the UN – is actively exploring innovative financing mechanisms to attract investments and support its ambitious goals. Malawi’s comprehensive approach to jobs and social protection, particularly for the most vulnerable, for a more inclusive and prosperous country will be key to drive SDG acceleration. 

Iraq's Water Crisis: A Catalyst for Change

Iraq's water crisis, a microcosm of the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, is being transformed into a powerful catalyst for accelerating progress towards multiple SDGs.

The UN in Iraq, collaborating with local and international partners, is strategically championing sustainable transboundary water management by fostering regional cooperation and ensuring equitable water use, crucial for both stability and prosperity, through integrated initiatives by different UN agencies – with an impact on all the Goals. 

For example, UN agencies like UNESCO and FAO are partnering together in this work to enhance water governance improving water use efficiency by merging traditional wisdom with modern technology. This empowers farmers to optimize water consumption, improving not only water management but also boosting agricultural resilience and contributing to a more sustainable food system. Interventions like the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) initiative in Sinjar to improve water access and UNICEF's desalination systems in Ninewa, provide not only safe and accessible water to vulnerable communities; these efforts directly improve livelihoods, affecting health and prosperity.

The UNCT’s proactive engagement extends to shaping the future of water management in Iraq. The National Water Policy Dialogue serves as a platform for fostering inclusive discussions, learning from international best practices, and crafting comprehensive water policy frameworks. This ensures that water management remains a top priority in the upcoming UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025-2029), a roadmap agreed with the Government for sustainable development.

Behavior changes and awareness raising are key measures to address Iraq’s water crisis, which is also a water pollution crisis, subsequently the RC jointly with the Minister of Water Resources will launch a joint UN-Government Water Campaign in July 2024 to raise awareness among Iraqi citizens about the severe water crisis affecting the nation and to highlight the collective and individual responsibilities in addressing it.

By tackling the water crisis, Iraq is not only accelerating progress towards clean water and sanitation, but also creating a ripple effect across multiple SDGs, including strengthening climate action, protecting biodiversity, and fostering a more resilient and equitable future for all.

The Special Event on Keeping the SDG Promise: Pathways for Acceleration on 15 July 2024, will highlight further efforts by the UN development system and Member States on these transformative entry points for systems change.