“The Joint SDG Fund is the best-kept secret there is. And we hope that this side event means it will be a secret no more,” remarked Rosemary Kalapurakal Deputy Director, UN Development Coordination Office at a special event on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum 2024, urging Member States and partners alike to embrace collaboration and invest in key green and digital transition areas that can catapult the world to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
At a recent side event, A Dynamic Future: The Role of the Joint SDG Fund in Catalyzing SDG Progress, representatives from across the globe gathered to share their experiences and underscore the Fund's pivotal role in accelerating progress towards the SDGs. Last year at the UN General Assembly, the President of Spain, emerged as a champion of the Fund, pledging 120 million euros by 2027. "This contribution is not a coincidence," stated Eva Granados Galiano, State Secretary for International Cooperation. "It's a reflection on how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda without leaving anyone behind.
The Fund's unique approach is revolutionizing development assistance. By focusing on six key transitions - including food security, climate change, social protection and jobs, energy transitions, education and digital transformation - it's tackling complex challenges with unprecedented efficiency.
In Barbados, for instance, the Fund helped increase social protection coverage by 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic, while in Georgia, it catalyzed a major policy shift towards disability inclusion. Moderated by Didier Trebucq, UN Resident Coordinator of Georgia expressed,
“The Fund transcends barriers, mobilizes the whole UN development system to offer its best to the Governments with whom we partner, and it really makes the true difference.”
Perhaps most impressively, the Fund has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to leverage resources. Sanda Ojiambo, CEO of the UN Global Compact, highlighted that "for every dollar invested, the Fund has mobilized $18 through innovative blended finance solutions." This multiplier effect is critical in bridging the vast financing gap for the SDGs.
Proof of Concept
The Fund's impact extends beyond numbers. It's changing lives and mindsets. In Costa Rica, it's powering digital transformation to address local challenges. Including past achievements in enhancing public spending efficiency, improving education, and implementing gender-sensitive and eco-friendly social protection initiatives. In the Philippines, initiatives like the "Localize to Realize" programme for indigenous communities and an upcoming digital transformation project to support the country's transition to upper-middle-income status.
“In essence, the Joint SDG Fund is a way for us to drive systemic change to address the complex development challenges which requires formulating and implementing policies that transcend sector domains and institutional responsibilities and enable integrated, multi and cross sectoral action.” - H.E. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh Undersecretary, Vice-Minister, Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines
Praised for its integral role in developing national standards for gender equality, the Fund welcomes UN Women to participate in key decision-making processes through the Resident Coordinator system. This ensures that women are not just beneficiaries but also decision-makers in prioritizing UN system actions. “The Joint SDG Fund is covering a wide range of the transitions. With the empowerment and rights of women in the center, it is reducing inequalities,” said Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda Deputy Executive Director, UN Women.
The session included BRAC’s perspective on their Graduation approach, Scott MacMillan, Director of Learning and Effectiveness, remarks that it's instilling hope in ultra-poor individuals, proving that breaking the cycle of extreme poverty is possible.
Call for Action
However, despite its successes, the Fund faces a significant challenge of undercapitalization. Currently, at only 10% of its annual target, there's an urgent need for increased support to unleash its full potential.
As the event concluded, the message was clear: the Joint SDG Fund is not just another development initiative. It's a powerful catalyst for systemic change, a bridge between global goals and local realities, and a testament to what can be achieved when the world comes together with shared purpose and innovative thinking.
In the words of Maria Rosa Martinez Rodriguez, State Secretary for Social Rights of Spain, "Together, we chart a path towards the horizon, ensuring no one is left behind." As the clock ticks towards 2030, the Joint SDG Fund stands to empower a model for transformative action in our collective journey towards a more sustainable and equitable world.
Note:
All joint programs 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, 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.
