Government of the Philippines and the United Nations embark on a new partnership for sustainable development

The United Nations and the Philippine Government have signed today in the presence of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a landmark document that outlines the UN’s plan to support the country on its sustainable development path and accelerate local progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. 

The UN Philippines Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Framework) is the UN’s blueprint for action from 2024 to 2028, which will mobilize the global knowledge, capacities and resources from 23 UN entities supporting the country in addressing its major national priorities. 

The new framework sets the stage for the UN’s shift from traditional development assistance to transformative strategic partnerships for policy and capacity development, knowledge generation and financial resources-leveraging by playing a strong development-enabling role. 

“The new cooperation instrument is based on the principle that the magnitude and complexity of today’s development challenges requires collective and integrated responses. For such reason, the UN is mobilizing the best of its capabilities to effectively support the Philippines in its noble aspiration to become an upper middle-income country.” said UN Philippines Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Gustavo González. 

Co-created with the Philippine Government, the Framework identifies three key priorities and outcomes, as well as the activities that need to be done to make this vision of a better future for the Philippines a reality.   

First of these priorities is human capital development to ensure that by 2028 Philippines population are more resilient to crises brought about by economic downturns, climate disasters, and public health risks. With such goal, the UN will work with an expanded range of partners to enhance good governance, accountability and human rights, maintain a healthy environment and improve the quality of and access to social services such as healthcare, education, and social protection. In this context, sustaining peacebuilding investments in the Bangsamoro region and other parts of the country, will be critical for SDGs acceleration. 

The second priority underscored in the CF is sustainable and inclusive economic development and innovation, with the goal that by 2028, all people benefit from a more integrated, innovative, inclusive, and sustainable economy that generates decent work and livelihood opportunities.  

Finally, the third key priority is climate action for environmental sustainability and disaster resilience. By investing in a just transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient development and cultivating a culture of sustainability in the management of natural resources and biodiversity, the UN and its partners hope to bolster current efforts to protect and preserve the country’s rich natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations.   

Ms Sylvie Cochin, Chief of the Office for Asia and the Pacific said: “The International Trade Centre (ITC) is delighted to be part of the UN Country Framework for the Philippines. The UNSDCF aims to support the country in achieving its long-term development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  ITC looks forward to working jointly towards the achievement of the UNSDCF priorities by delivering impactful, sustainable, and inclusive trade development support.

The CF is ambitious to match the scope of the challenges we face, but it reflects the UN Country Team’s renewed and revitalized solidarity and commitment to a vision of a future where no one is left behind.