United Nations Capital Development Fund

A UN programme, funded by the joint SDG Fund is transforming lives for seaweed farmers in Zanzibar and beyond.

Following the recent UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4), DCO Regional Director for Africa Yacoub El-Hillo, reflects on Africa’s readiness

The Joint SDG Fund helps countries unlock billions in private and public investment to tackle climate change, build inclusive economies, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

On the sidelines of the 2025 Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake, Resident Coordinators are driving global progress on food system transformation; leading efforts in countries like Ethiopia, Guyana, Indonesia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Togo, and the Central Sahel.

In Indonesia, the UN Resident Coordinator is leading the transformation of school meals in West Java through the Free Nutritious Meals programme.

Ahead of the upcoming UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4), the UN is accelerating ongoing efforts to transform food systems, with Resident Coordinators in countries like Bolivia and Nigeria leading initiatives to mobilize financing and foster collaboration for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-friendly solutions.

Youth around the world gathered to discuss the clean energy transition, responding to the UN Secretary-General's call for accelerating action against fossil fuels. Led by Resident Coordinators and Country Teams, these youth-driven events emphasized energy justice, economic dignity, and a liveable planet.

Papua New Guinea is set to present its Voluntary National Review (VNR), offering invaluable insights into national action for ocean health.

UN Resident Coordinators (RCs) have emerged as vital agents of change, driving systemic shifts to help countries identify and use mechanisms to finance their development priorities and ensure that national budgets are aligned with the SDGs.

A collective of United Nations agencies and global partners today launched the co-design process for One Ocean Finance —a bold new effort to unlock billions in new financing from ocean-dependent industries and blue economy sectors.

When I arrived in Libreville in mid-2021 to lead the work of the United Nations in Gabon as the Resident Coordinator, I could not have imagined the intensity, complexity and richness the assignment would bring. Leading the UN Country Team as the most senior UN official in the country and representative of the UN Secretary-General on development, during such a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, I have strived to ensure that we, as the UN, effectively support Gabon’s aspirations to deliver durable peace and sustainable prosperity for its people.

Maria Adams, a fashion entrepreneur in Accra, Ghana, faces challenges common to many women led MSMEs such as limited digital skills, funding, and market access. A new UN-backed programme aims to change that by empowering 25,000 such businesses with digital tools and financial support.

Stretching 5,000 kilometers from Africa’s Atlantic coast to the Red Sea, the Sahel is a vibrant region below the Sahara Desert that includes nations

The Joint SDG Fund’s joint programme is paving the way for sustainable economic empowerment in The Bahamas, focusing on women, youth, and people with disabilities. By enhancing access to financial mechanisms, fostering knowledge sharing, and supporting capacity building, this initiative addresses key barriers to achieving gender equality and inclusive development.