The Joint SDG Fund was established in 2018 as a United Nations multi-partner trust fund to support integrated policy solutions and innovative financing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Amid growing global challenges, the Fund promotes collaboration among UN entities, governments, civil society, and the private sector to deliver impactful initiatives aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Since its launch, it has committed more than USD 300 million across 119 UN country teams, involving 31 UN entities.
Strengthening FAO’s Role in Joint UN Action
On 18 and 19 March 2025, FAO and its dedicated UN Collaboration team hosted a virtual workshop to assess FAO’s expanding engagement in the Fund. The event brought together 140 participants from 29 FAO country offices, regional teams, and headquarters, including FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol, Regional Representatives, technical officers, and representatives from the Fund Secretariat and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The two-day workshop provided a platform for institutional learning, cross-regional knowledge exchange, and strategic coordination. It facilitated sharing experiences among FAO teams, creating space to explore operational challenges and identify avenues to deepen impact through joint UN programming.
FAO’s participation in the Fund has grown rapidly. The Organization is now involved in 39 joint programmes across 35 countries, with over USD 14 million in secured funding. While FAO’s initial engagement focused on the food systems window, it now contributes across thematic areas including digital transformation, social protection, energy transition, and SDG localization, underscoring its growing role as a cross-cutting technical partner in joint UN initiatives.
Country Insights and Strategic Opportunities
FAO country offices from Malawi, Viet Nam, Albania, and Trinidad and Tobago presented key case studies, showcasing FAO’s pivotal role in driving joint programmes alongside UN partners. These success stories emphasized the importance of early and proactive engagement with government counterparts, strategic alignment with national development priorities, and effectively articulating FAO’s added value in multi-agency settings. Participants also engaged in candid discussions on shared operational challenges, such as navigating tight timelines and managing the intricate dynamics of interagency coordination, offering valuable insights for enhancing future collaboration.
Throughout the discussions, the catalytic potential of the Fund was emphasized—both in mobilizing co-financing and in driving transformative change through integrated policy support. Lisa Kurbiel, Head of the Fund Secretariat, highlighted the Fund’s evolution towards high-impact programming and its growing emphasis on strategic partnerships to scale results. Hernan Manson, Coordinator of the GEF Food Systems Integrated Program, underscored the alignment between the Fund and GEF portfolios, noting strong potential for joint financing and complementary action.
FAO’s field presence, convening power, and technical depth were repeatedly recognized as key assets in delivering multi-sectoral, results-driven initiatives that leave no one behind.
Driving Transformational Change Together
Looking ahead, FAO is ready to amplify its efforts by investing in knowledge sharing, delivering technical support, and forging strategic partnerships. Building on the momentum generated thus far, FAO is resolute in its commitment to the Fund’s next phase, marked by larger, high-impact programmes. FAO will continue to drive sustainable agrifood systems transformation and accelerate collective progress towards the SDGs, helping ensure a future of resilience, food security, and nutrition for all.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
