- Armenia introduces SDG tagging in collaboration with Ministry of Finance
A requirement for the Ministries to align their sectoral policies with related SDGs was defined in budget methodological instructions by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in collaboration with the JP. Following this new requirement, the JP team organized a webinar to present new changes in the MTEF 2022 and methodological instructions on SDG’s tagging.
- Azerbaijan launches a series of webinars on sustainable investing for the green economy
On January 21, the Ministry of Economy and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) organized a video-conference webinar on "Sustainable Investment: Trends and Opportunities in the Economy of Azerbaijan." The event was attended by more than 50 investment experts, representatives of relevant government agencies, and academia.
The purpose of the webinar is to support the Government of Azerbaijan in optimizing resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in accordance with the UN Agenda 2030.
- Bangladesh measures the contribution of the private sector in achieving SDGs and updates Development Finance Assessment (DFA) and SDGs Financing Strategy (FS)
The JP engaged with Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to technically support the completion of Sustainability Self Reporting of 47 RMG factories by translating sector-specific achievements and challenges into National Priority Indicators (NPIs). The industry consolidated data is compiled in a report, ‘A Pathway to Manage Private Sector on Bangladesh National Priority Indicators and SDGs’. The JP is also updating the DFA and SDGs Financing Strategy (FS) by engaging relevant partners with the objective of aligning with the 8FYP (2020- 2025) and incorporating a more specific SDG perspective and taking into account the country’s graduation from the LDCs by 2026. In the next quarter, roadmaps for investments for the selected INFF focus areas will be developed. More…
- Belarus includes alternative financing mechanisms in National Green Economy Plan by 2025
Belarus is currently developing a National Green Economy Plan by 2025 with a broad range of stakeholders, i.e. national authorities, NGOs and researchers. UNDP provides expert and technical support to the dialogue and maintains close relations with Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (MNREP). Alternative financing mechanisms to green projects constitute a significant part in the discussions, contributing to the introduction of green bonds, ecosystem services, impact investment into national practices in Belarus. In addition, UNDP held a formal meeting with MNREP and jointly created a working group to curate the JP.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) organizes formal JP kick-off event
The JP was formally launched on 16 March 2021. The online event gathered relevant BIH representatives of the domestic institutions, including institutions that comprise the SDGs Council, ministries of finance at the state and entity level as well as a number of sectoral ministries. The event was opened by the UN RC and the BIH Ministry of Finance and Treasury and a presentation of the linkage between the JP and the SDGs Framework was made by the BIH Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following the presentation and discussion on the JP and its main components.
- Botswana undertakes a gender responsive Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) Assessment to develop an INFF roadmap
The INFF will provide solutions and recommendations for strengthening the development financing system of Botswana to not only utilize existing financial resources more effectively and efficiently but to also mobilize additional development financing for achieving the SDGs. The JP also supports efficiency in spending in all sectors, address corruption and illicit financial flows using zero-based budgeting (ZBB). Furthermore, the JP has a component on family planning and gender mainstreaming that has been welcomed by the government and development partners.
- Burundi completes Socio-economic profiles of three provinces
The JP completed socio-economic profiles of three provinces. This is the first time this type of exercise is taking place at the provincial level in Burundi, enabling for an assessment of the implementation of the SDGs at the local level. In addition, Burundi has completed the localization of SDGs in Community Development Plans (PCDC) in 5 municipalities in Kirundo Province. The process of integrating the SDGs into PCDCs ensures that community level development plans target the most vulnerable population, ensuring no one is left behind.
- Cape Verde launches its Financing Dialogues and performs anti-money laundering and corruption risk assessment
Cape Verde launched its Financing Dialogues successfully convening a wide spectrum of stakeholders spanning the public and private sectors, academia, civil society, and international partners, among others. The dialogues successfully concluded with a plenary session at the National Assembly in an inclusive and open forum to discuss key issues concerning Cape Verde’s development finance landscape. Also, UNODC’s assessment of money laundering and corruption risk and vulnerabilities in Cape Verde was carried out.
- Colombia advances in the mapping of public financing for SDGs, contributes to private sector SDG reporting and raises public awareness around SDG investment opportunities
In parallel to the DFA and other ongoing assessment analyses, the JP in Colombia is manually matching all 4,395 budget lines to multiple SDG targets to map SDG-aligned public financing. In addition, the JP made several key achievements in the past quarter such as compiling voluntary private-sector reporting statistics of 137 companies using the GRI framework, exploring potential DFA focuses areas (e.g., public expenditure in education, climate change mitigation goals, impact investment), supporting the government in the 2021 VNR, organizing bilateral meetings with World Bank and EU to align efforts towards SDG budgeting, mapping 7 investment areas and 22 investment opportunities through the SDG Investor Map, and increasing awareness on INFF and SDGs through creating a series of animated videos and social media contents.
- Costa Rica holds webinar on the use of new financing tools
Together with local foundation ALIARSE, the Ministry of Planning and the National Stock Exchange, the JP organized a webinar on new financing tools. The event recording can be accessed here.
- Cuba sets up Steering Committee, supports government in developing new costing tools, and develops Policy Notes summarizing the initial results of the JP
The JP established an INFF Steering Committee with the assistance of the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the Central Bank and other senior government executives. As a result, the first two results of the JP - Mapping of the Financial Landscape and Prioritizing the SDGs – were approved. Furthermore, ECLAC began the development of a financial programming exercise for Cuba, which will provide essential inputs for the costing activity and also contribute to the development of government capacities, by providing new analytical tools. In addition, three Policy Notes were developed to summarize and disseminate the first results of the JP.
- Djibouti completes new National Development Plan and its costing, and launches SDG Investor Mapping
Djibouti completed the new National Development Plan 2020-2024 (NDP) as part of the JP and also initiated the process of costing the NDP with the support of UNDP, which is expected to build the core structure of the INFF. Also, the UNCT signed an agreement to launch the Investor Map with the IICPSD. This mapping exercise will identify in which areas private finance can contribute to crisis recovery and development by using an investor-friendly language, identifying concrete solutions, and collecting insights from the public and private sectors.
- Ecuador progresses on the first analysis of financial flows for development
UNDP and national partners including the Ministry of Finance and Technical Secretary of Planning, Ecuador conducts a financial flow analysis, based on the Development Financial Assessment (DFA) tool, which aims to map financial policies, regulations, institutions, sources, mechanisms, and innovations related to development financing at country level. This analysis is the first time that Ecuador is working on a comprehensive financial flow analysis for sustainable development. The exercise is expected to provide the next administration with a powerful toolkit for the design of sustainable development financing policies. Additional work is undergoing to build tools to link the national planning with the 2030 Agenda, and to align the budget and prioritize policies with larger multiplying effects on the SDGs.
- Vanuatu initiates DFA process
The DFA for Vanuatu will identify and build consensus among a core constituency of actors for financing solutions that help to unlock and mobilise new sources of financing and enhance the alignment of existing financing with national development priorities. Within these overall objectives, the DFA will focus on particular key issues including (i) the integration of the budget and national plan, (ii) digitalisation (including e-fiscalisation), (iii) parliamentary scrutiny over financing, (iv) energy reform, and (v) leveraging remittances for development.
- Gabon finalizes DFA and launches Dialogue on Financing for Development
Gabon completed the DFA which reconstructs the financing architecture of its development policies, including the SDGs. It provides volumes and trends by type of development financing available or potential in the country, taking into account current progress on the SDGs and the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The Dialogue on Financing for Development was also launched, involving nearly 64 stakeholders spanning across IFIs, MDBs, government, private sector, etc. The multi-stakeholder platform aims to strengthen the coordination of interventions and resource mobilization in favor of the SDGs as well as identify main recommendations to build the INFF roadmap.
- Ghana launches SDG Investor Maps and Platform, and participates in SDG Investment Fair
The JP, led by UNDP, prepared the SDG Investor Maps, a market intelligence tool that facilitates the identification of investable opportunities within and by the public and private sector. These opportunities alongside bankable projects were prepared by UNOPS to be showcased by the Government of Ghana at the SDG Investment Fair in April. The projects were presented to a wide range audience including some members of the Global Investors for Sustainable Development Alliance (GISD).
- Guatemala agrees with Government on key JP implementation areas
The JP team built effective engagement with The Planning and Programming Secretariat of the Presidency (SEGEPLAN) and the Ministry of Public Finance (MINFIN) to advise public institutions about the implementation of the JP and facilitate alignment of the JP actions with the line ministries. Following, a high-level meeting was held with the participation of the heads of the MINFIN, Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, Ministry of Development and Ministry of Education to present the work plan and methodology of the key activities planned under the JP. This step has been critical in order to acquire political backing from high level authorities.
- Guinea conducts diagnosis of the fiscal space of five local authorities
The fiscal space diagnosis carried out by the JP helped to identify the bottlenecks in resource mobilization in urban and rural communes. The major constraint identified lies in the poor control of the fiscal potential despite its importance in providing additional resources for the financing of Communal Annual Investment Programs. In view of these observations and difficulties of the municipalities, a strategy for mobilizing local resources will be developed as part of the JP in order to boost the budgets of the communities and also in line with the SDGs.
- Haiti organizes several workshops with key ministries
A joint workshop by the Ministry of Planning and UNDP was held in February to present the INFF project to department directors at the Ministry and ensure buy-in their active interest and participation in its implementation. In addition, an inter-ministerial workshop was organized in March to cement the cooperation between five different government ministries, a key factor for the success of the INFF process.
- Jamaica completes Public Expenditure Review on Education
Jamaica has achieved universal primary education with significant expenditure improvements in line with international norms. Preliminary evidence confirms positive attendance rates at the pre-primary and primary education levels. However, attendance rates drop significantly at the secondary and tertiary level, especially for women. The Education Expenditure Review conducted by the JP provides timely evidence which point to the need for improved spending efficiency and considerable increase in capital expenditure across all education levels. Moreover, the review will advance investments in evidence-based decision-making across the education system through the adoption of best practices and information systems.
- Kazakhstan holds fifth meeting of SDG Coordination Council and organizes webinar on child-budgeting
The SDG Coordination Council’s 5th meeting, chaired by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, took place in March 2021. During the meeting, the Government highlighted the importance of partnership for further implementation of the JP on aligning policy and financing with SDGs towards an INFF in Kazakhstan. Secondly, the potential use of the DFA outcomes for formulating better policies and measures for SDGs was pointed out. In addition, a child-budgeting webinar bringing together about 40 experts of state agencies, NGOs, and academia took place in February 2021. The aim of the event was to present the results of the review of international experience and best practices on child budget implementation and discuss the formation of the child budget methodology in Kazakhstan.
- Kyrgyzstan conducts preliminary analysis of fiscal issues, reviews PPP regulatory framework, and builds capacity on INFF and Early Child Education budgeting and financing
The fiscal space analysis conducted by the JP identified a mix of exogenous shocks whose impact has been made worse by domestic amplifiers, primarily in the form of lack of progress in structural transformation of the economy. With UNICEF technical support, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Ministry of Economy and Finance has completed a review of the PPP regulatory framework and elaborated a model project which was accepted at the meeting of the Coordination Committee, overseeing the implementation of the Work Plan of the Strategy on Education Development 2021-2040. Furthermore, Early Childhood Education (ECE) training sessions for nearly 60 district education authorities and professionals including financial specialists took place. 22 representatives of Kyrgyz state institutions also participated in INFF regional trainings.
- Lao PDR develops a financing strategy and costing estimates for the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan
The elaboration of a financing strategy and the development of costing estimates of key policy priorities, for the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan of Lao PDR (2021-2025), has accelerated. In addition, a financing and costing Technical Working Group is setup to ensure, with the technical support of UNDP, that government-owned financial companion packages to the national development plan are created, fast tracking progress towards an INFF and more generally providing policy solutions to the financial difficulties the country is facing including low fiscal pressure, high debt to GDP ratio, and unsustainable private sector investments.
- Lesotho commences Development Finance Assessment
Lesotho has commenced the process for the DFA, as a step towards nationalizing the INFF and preparing the post-COVID-19 recovery agenda. The draft report provides a broad analysis of Lesotho’s policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks for planning and financing, a review of its financing strategy and financing sources and partnerships. This report is expected to provide a basis for strengthened coordination, partnerships and collaboration between various actors as well as outline policy options and financing solutions available to the country for accelerating SDGs and financing for development.
- Malawi holds first Technical Working Group on Fiscal Decentralization
With support from the JP, the National Local Government Finance Committee hosted the first Technical Working Group (TWG) on Fiscal Decentralization in March. The TWG is the joint Government and Development Partners’ platform that will oversee the process of the design and implementation of the Fiscal Decentralization Strategy, a critical activity that is also supported by the JP. The reforms and interventions planned are aimed to finalize the country’s decentralization process and deliver on SDGs at local level, through the 18 key sectors.
- Maldives organizes stakeholder meeting and workshop on National Transfer Accounts, and completes Partnership Landscape Assessment
The JP conducted its first Stakeholders’ Meeting in March 2021 and several larger consultation sessions to inform on the INFF process and preliminary findings and recommendations of the DFA which paves way for effective financing strategies to be articulated within the INFF process. Also, a workshop on the NTA (National Transfer Accounts) Methodology was conducted with a total of 24 participants from 9 different institutions and line ministries. The methodology investigates population age structure and its impacts and influences on public policy areas and provides important data for policy formulation. Another important study on Maldives has been completed to map key stakeholders and areas for SDG new partnerships. The exercise shows that there is a broad interest and willingness to partner however, there is also a certain lack of trust in the process, which is driven by limited capacities and understanding of the SDGs as well as the value of partnerships. Furthermore, preparatory work for the National Health Accounts, social sector analysis and social sector mater plan has started.
- Mauritania: the way to develop the potential of Zakat to finance development and the SDGs
A study on the organizational, legal, and regulatory structure for executing a long-term strategy to develop Zakat in Mauritania is finalized. It focuses on the structure of economic activity and government finances in Mauritania, the way revenues are currently collected, and the overview of the financial system. It reviews recent policy initiatives and bank branch availability, post-office services and other organizations that might be relevant to Zakat collection. It also proposes a Zakat scheme to be established in Mauritania to develop Zakat as a source for SDG financing.
- Mexico engages with countries in Latin America to discuss strategies for the DFA
Mexico has started paving the way towards the drafting of its DFA. In an effort to learn from past experiences, and to avoid any setbacks that other countries might have faced in developing their DFA, a series of “Experience Exchange Workshop” have been organized with selected countries in Latin America. Mexican authorities have been introduced to the DFA creation process, presented with lessons learned and advised on key aspects to fully engage with all relevant sectors to achieve a true multi-stakeholder process.
- Mongolia prepares sustainable financing tools for the Development Bank and drafts INFF baseline assessment, SDG prioritization and costing reports
The draft INFF baseline assessment, SDG prioritization and costing reports have been prepared, determining the current financing landscape, binding constraints and risks, prioritizing the SDGs that have the most impact on the achievement of national goals for Mongolia. These findings were presented at the first INFF working group meeting and will create a foundation for developing and operationalizing an integrated financing strategy in Mongolia. In addition, a set of sustainable financing tools have been developed for the Development Bank of Mongolia (DBM), that will contribute to the alignment of DBM operations with sustainability principles. On the communications side, an article titled ‘How can Mongolia Mobilize More Financial Resources for Sustainable National Development?’ has been published by the UNDP RR, and several other communication and awareness raising activities were also organized with the Stock Exchange, EBRD, and the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Namibia launches Development Finance Assessment report
A Development Finance Assessment (DFA) finalized in 2020, was officially launched on 24 March 2021 by the Director General of the National Planning Commission (NPC). The DFA provides a roadmap towards implementing an integrated national financing framework (INFF), including accelerating SDG financing to inform a multi-stakeholder, national dialogue towards building consensus on priority SDG financing solutions involving all relevant partners. The DFA also provides for costing of key SDG interventions, and capacity development of key stakeholders to better cost and align development financing with priorities.
- Rwanda establishes INFF/SDG financing collaborations with international development partners
Collaboration and engagements were initiated with the World Bank (WB) to collaborate on Public Financial Management (PFM) diagnostic work through Human Capital Sectors Public Expenditure Reviews (PERs). Furthermore, the team explored further entry points for collaborations with WB and IMF on critical financing for development areas and to support the broader INFF process through technical advice and strategic consultations.
- Sierra Leone builds strong consensus and dialogue among local stakeholders
The JP succeeded in promoting dialogue and building consensus among a range of government ministries, departments, and agencies working on issues of domestic resource mobilization. Several meetings were organized which brought out common themes such as gender responsiveness and have allowed entities to better understand and coordinate their workstreams on tax policy, Local Councils, promoting women’s entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
- South Sudan supports National Development Strategy development and reforms subnational PFM oversight mechanism
The JP conducted fragility assessment and stakeholder consultations in all ten states of South Sudan with participation from a broad range of stakeholders. The reports from the fragility assessment and consultations will be reviewed by the National Development Strategy (NDS) Steering Committee. In addition, a DFA is underway as part of the ongoing NDS review which will lead to a separate chapter on financing for the SDGs in the NDS, and a roadmap for an INFF for South Sudan. A County Transfer Monitoring Committee (CTMC) was also convened in March 2021 by the Director General of Finance, Planning and Investment in Northern Bahr el Ghazal. The meeting was attended by senior management from the Finance, Education, Health, WASH and Local Government Ministries and underlined discussions around re-constitution/formation of the committee, roles and responsibilities, and funding to conduct county level work.
- Tajikistan strengthens national education financing framework and drafts assessment on national financing architecture
Following the launch of the National Strategy for Education and Development until 2030 (NSED 2030), PUNOs organized a stakeholder meeting on education financing in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES). The meeting helped development partners to jointly identify measures to ensure synergy in the area of education financing. In addition, a first draft of the assessment report on national financing architecture was finalized and progress has been made to set up an SDG Financing Working Group under the National Development Council.
- Timor-Leste officially launches INFF and shares experience with Asia-Pacific countries
A virtual launch workshop was held to officially initiate the INFF in Timor-Leste. The event was opened by the Minister of Finance, EU Ambassador, and UN RC and included technical presentations focusing on three financing areas identified for catalysing strategic investments in Timor-Leste, namely pro-health taxation, diaspora financing, and climate financing. As one of the 15 pioneering countries for INFF, Timor-Leste also shared its INFF experience with Asia-Pacific colleagues during a 3-day training on “INFF and Budgeting for the 2030 Agenda”.
- Togo conducts fiscal space analysis and engages in capacity building and south-south cooperation
The JP team conducted a study on fiscal space analysis as part of the nutrition investment case study and organized a capacity building session for the Ministry of Planning, Development and Cooperation team where benefits of developing a computerized aid management platform in Togo were shared. In terms of south-south cooperation, two benchmarking sessions were organized between the teams of the Ministry of Investment Promotion of Togo and Côte d'Ivoire on the Ivorian experience in operationalizing an Investment Promotion Agency.
- Tunisia progresses on DFA, SDG budget tagging and tools to mobilize financing for the SDGs
The JP initiated the work on SDG Investors Mapping in order to identify investment opportunity areas, is currently exploring with IsDB alternative financing options such as a crowdfunding platform and analyzed inclusive business models in Tunisia.
The team is also developing a DFA with gender lens as well as working with the Ministry of Finance and line ministries to map and identify budget lines contributing to SDG achievements.
- Ukraine launches INFF Task Force, agrees with government to incorporate SDGs into mid-term budget declaration, and reviews opportunities to align PPP legislation with the SDGs
An INFF Inter-Agency Task Force has been established and formally launched at an event led by Ukraine’s VPM for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. The Task Force will oversee the process of DFA, SDGs budget tagging, RIA+ and steer the implementation of the INFF. In addition, several high-level government meetings have been held by the JP to incorporate SDGs to the mid-term budget declaration. Ministries agreed to work with UNDP on the drafts of the budget declaration that will be proposed to the Ministry of Finance. UNECE also organized a knowledge-sharing and training webinar on ‘Aligning PPP Legislation in Ukraine with the SDGs’
where the consistency of Ukraine’s PPP legislation vis-à-vis the SDGs was reviewed.
- Uruguay launches Investor Maps and builds strategic alliance for a Sustainable Finance Roundtable
The JP launched the Investor Map in Uruguay, a tool to deliver SDG impact though identifying SDG investing opportunities. The JP also built a strategic alliance with the (Ministry of Finance, Planning Agency and Central Bank) and IDB to support sustainable financial market development in Uruguay through the creation of a multi-stakeholder Sustainable Finance Roundtable. UNDP and RCO also presented virtually the working paper “Uruguayan Impact Investment Market” which consists of a diagnosis of the national impact investment market and its most important hazards and challenges.
- Uzbekistan finalizes draft Poverty Reduction Strategy and signs MOU with government to align the issuance of Eurobonds with the SDGs
The Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) envisages a broad range of measures aimed at promoting employment and entrepreneurial actives; improving human capital through addressing the quality of education and health service; improving access to public infrastructure and stopping environmental degradation. The Strategy also takes into consideration the socio-economic implications of COVID-19 and incorporates measures to help make existing policies, systems and procedures more resilient to the ongoing and future crises. Furthermore, an MOU between the Ministry of Finance and UNDP was signed to align the issuance of Eurobonds with the SDGs. Under this partnership, the JP will develop an overarching SDG bond issuance framework as well as a monitoring and reporting framework for sovereign bonds in Uzbekistan.
- Zambia builds capacity of local authorities and CSOs on OBB and monitoring of social protection budgets
Zambia trained 25 local authorities on Output-based (OBB) budgeting, an activity in support of the governments decentralization policy as well as the budgeting and planning Act. Expected benefits of implementing OBB at the local level includes enhanced performance/results orientation of the annual budget, integrated development planning with the budget process and improved budget transparency. In addition, civil society organizations (CSOs) have received support from UN Zambia to strengthen their capacity to monitor social protection budget allocations and expenditure at local district level through the development and roll-out of the Zambia Social Accountability Manual.
