LocationsTurning Vision into Action: UNFPA and UNDP Strengthen Partnership to Drive Ethiopia’s Sustainable Future
October 27, 2025
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — 27 October 2025: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, today jointly launched their new Country Programmes to be implemented in the period 2025–2030.
The joint launch of the new Country Programmes of UNFPA and UNDP marks a renewed commitment to advancing Ethiopia’s national development agenda. Firmly anchored in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and aligned with the Government of Ethiopia’s Ten-Year Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Country Programmes will focus on strengthening human capital development, advancing gender equality, addressing geographical disparities, promoting resilience, and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Speaking on the occasion, the State Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Semereta Sewasew stated that the event is a crucial testament to the strong partnership between the government and the agencies. The Minister in her remarks, also ascertained that “the new country programmes are designed in alignment with Ethiopia’s 10-year development plan and the Home-Grown Economic Reform 2.0, which is a testament to our deep collaboration with the UN system in making contributions for the national and international development commitments”. [Full remarks]
UNFPA’s Country Programme, in pursuit of its mission of “Delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled,” will focus on achieving the Three Plus One (3+1) strategic pillars: ending preventable maternal deaths; ending unmet need for family planning; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls; and ending the sexual transmission of HIV infections.
Mr Koffi Kouame, UNFPA Country Representative, said UNFPA, in its new Country Programme will support the Government and partners to strengthen systems, institutions, and communities to deliver high-quality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, maternal health, as well as essential services to address gender-based violence and harmful practices. “Our focus is on evidence-driven interventions, equitable access, and survivor-centred care to ensure that every woman and girl can be safe and live with dignity and free from harm,” added Mr Kouame. [Full remarks]
UNFPA’s 10th Country Programme aims to reach selected districts across 10 regions and one city administration in Ethiopia, with an indicative budget of USD 140.04 million. The programme targets more than 21 million women and young people with rights-based life-saving sexual and reproductive health information and services during its implementation period until June 2030.
At the same time, UNDP’s Country Programme, with an estimated budget of $279.3m, will emphasize:
● Strengthening governance,
● Accelerating inclusive economic growth.
● Advancing climate resilience and environmental sustainability, and
● Promoting innovation and gender equality as cross-cutting priorities
Mr Samuel Doe, UNDP Resident Representative, outlined that while maintaining its three core programme pillars, UNDP will “continue to build on a milestone national dialogue and also maintain our core support areas, including electoral assistance. At the same time, this new programme is designed to respond to emerging needs and opportunities. We also aim to increasingly harness the catalytic power of innovation and artificial intelligence to scale up solutions in climate action, governance expansion, and job creation—particularly for youth and women.” [Full remarks]
The joint launch provided a strategic platform to present the vision, priorities, and expected results of the Country Programmes of both agencies, underscoring the importance of partnership, joint programming, innovation, and evidence-driven action in transforming challenges into opportunities for a more prosperous, equitable, and inclusive future for Ethiopia.
The event brought together government representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, and members of the UN system in Ethiopia.
Mr Samuel Doe, UNDP Resident Representative, outlined that while maintaining its three core programme pillars, UNDP will “continue to build on a milestone national dialogue and also maintain our core support areas, including electoral assistance. At the same time, this new programme is designed to respond to emerging needs and opportunities. We also aim to increasingly harness the catalytic power of innovation and artificial intelligence to scale up solutions in climate action, governance expansion, and job creation—particularly for youth and women.” [Full remarks]
The joint launch provided a strategic platform to present the vision, priorities, and expected results of the Country Programmes of both agencies, underscoring the importance of partnership, joint programming, innovation, and evidence-driven action in transforming challenges into opportunities for a more prosperous, equitable, and inclusive future for Ethiopia.
The event brought together government representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, and members of the UN system in Ethiopia.
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Remarks delivered by Dr Aboubacar Kampo, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, a.i.
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