At the recent Financing for Development Summit in Seville, two dynamic UN Resident Coordinators — Hanaa Singer-Hamdy in Nepal and Ana Graça in Panama — shared insights into how the UN is delivering meaningful impact at the country level by harnessing partnerships, strengthening financing ecosystems, and championing development solutions that leave no one behind.
Supporting Nepal’s Transition: From Least Developed to Middle-Income
With Nepal on the path to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026, RC Hanaa Singer-Hamdy emphasized that this is both a moment of pride and a call for support. “Graduation should not be a punishment,” she noted. “We must ensure a smooth and sustained transition.” Under her leadership, the UN Country Team in Nepal has leaned into its convening power to support the government through strategic dialogue, regional cooperation, and investment mobilization.
Singer-Hamdy highlighted Nepal’s leadership in South-South collaboration, notably its work with Bangladesh and Laos — three transitioning countries that, with UN support, came together to share solutions, develop joint strategies, and amplify their voice at the summit. The outcome of the collaboration has resulted directly into the outcome document—the Compromiso de Sevilla— at the Fourth Finance for Development which clearly says that countries like Nepal deserve a smooth, gradual transition, with tailored support even after graduation. That’s a big win for Nepal and other countries in similar situations.
At home, Nepal has seen direct results from RC-led engagement. In April 2024, the UN co-organized a major investment summit with the Nepal Investment Board, attracting over 1,700 investors from 55 countries and generating $63 million in pledges. A multi-agency UN task force — including UN Women, UNICEF, FAO, and ILO — jointly supported the government in advancing key pillars of development financing: private capital, gender equity, and climate resilience.
“This is the power of the RC,” said Singer-Hamdy. “We bring the UN together with one voice and help align international financing with national priorities — from blended finance to green transition.”
Catalyzing Solutions in Panama: High-Income, High Inequality
Panama, a high-middle-income country with a thriving economy, still faces deep structural inequalities. “Fiscal space is shrinking, but the need for investment is growing — especially for communities that have been left behind,” said RC Ana Graça. In response, she and her team have focused on turning words into action, unlocking innovative partnerships to fuel change.
With strong academic collaborations — including with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, CAF by its Spanish acronym, and a high-tech university — and agency partners like UNDP and UNFPA, the team has mobilized over $90 million for short-cycle higher education linked directly to jobs. This work empowers young people and tackles informality, which remains a significant challenge in the country.
The Panama UN team has also fostered a coalition of over 75 private sector actors, working together to scale sustainable development solutions. From indigenous-led coffee production to tech-enabled rural development, Graça’s approach links national planning with grassroots innovation.
Through the Joint SDG Fund, the team has scaled a successful circular economy pilot — starting with one municipal market and expanding to others. Collaborations with the Smithsonian Institution and universities are strengthening food systems, promoting sustainable gastronomy, and showcasing what development finance can achieve at scale.
Resident Coordinators as Connectors
Both RCs underscored that the heart of their role lies in connecting the dots. As Singer-Hamdy put it: “We are not always in the spotlight, but we create the conditions for impact to flourish.” Graça added, “Governments see us as a trusted entry point. We know how to mobilize the full system — from impact investing to social bonds — and deliver integrated support.”
Indeed, the Resident Coordinator role is pivotal in ensuring the UN development system operates as a unified platform, offering governments a streamlined, effective, and impactful development offer.
“The UN becomes real when we work as one,” said Singer-Hamdy. “It’s not about how many agencies we have, but about the power of our collective purpose.”
