Dublin/Washington, D.C./ New York - At the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., the Irish Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner today formally announced the establishment of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project Office for Sustainable Finance in Dublin.

Backed by €7.5 million in Irish Government support over three years (2025–2027), this new Project Office will serve as a global platform to drive innovation, scale impact, and strengthen the alignment of finance with climate, nature, and sustainable development goals. It responds directly to the needs of a rapidly evolving global financial architecture, where mobilising and utilising finance for impact has become a defining challenge of our time. The Project Office also marks the first formal presence of the UNDP in Ireland.

The Dublin-based Project Office will operate as a delivery platform for the UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub, hosting the secretariats of the UNDP Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S) and the Sustainable Insurance Forum (SIF). It will also play a central role in connecting financial institutions, regulators, and public agencies across more than 40 countries with the practical tools, partnerships, policy and regulatory insights needed to mobilise and utilise capital for sustainable outcomes.

Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., said: “This new UNDP Project Office reflects Ireland’s ambition to be at the heart of shaping global sustainable finance. At a time when the world faces immense climate, nature, and development challenges, aligning public and private finance to deliver real impact is essential. Ireland is proud to contribute €7.5 million over three years to this effort. I’m confident that Dublin can become a vital hub for innovation in this space—connecting financial expertise with the world’s sustainability priorities.”

Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP, commented: “Finance is one of the most powerful tools we have to tackle climate change, nature loss, and inequality. Through this new Project Office, and with Ireland’s leadership and vision, UNDP is creating a global platform that connects financial centres, regulators, and markets with the needs of people and planet. Dublin’s blend of innovation, talent and international financial reach makes it an ideal partner for this mission.”

The Project Office will support the development of practical financial solutions—such as nature-related investment tools, gender-responsive finance mechanisms, transition finance approaches, and digital platforms—to help advance low-emissions and inclusive growth. It will also contribute to country-level work and international engagement, including through platforms such as the G20, APEC, the FfD4 and the UN climate negotiations.

Ireland will host the new Project Office in recognition of its strong international reputation in financial services and its growing leadership in climate and sustainable finance—anchored in national strategies such as Ireland for Finance and supported by collaboration between the Irish Government, the UNDP, and a wide range of Irish stakeholders across the public and private sectors.
 

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Note to the Editor

About UNDP and the Sustainable Finance Hub:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s lead development agency, working in 170 countries to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. The UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub helps countries align public and private financial flows with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using UNDP’s global presence and policy expertise to support systems-level change in how finance supports climate, nature, and human development.

Ireland's role in Sustainable Finance:
Ireland is hosting the Project Office for Sustainable Finance in recognition of its strong international reputation in financial services and its growing leadership in sustainable finance—anchored in national strategies such as Ireland for Finance. Ireland is also a committed contributor to international climate finance through its International Climate Finance Roadmap and plays an active role in global efforts via support to the UN system and multilateral development banks. The Irish Government’s funding commitment to this initiative is being provided through the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reflecting Ireland’s integrated approach to climate action, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

Media Contact:
New York: Sangita Khadka, Communications Specialist, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, email: sangita.khadka@undp.org | cell: + 1 917 530 8980

Washington D.C.: Sarah Jackson-Han, Communications & Partnerships Specialist, email: sarah.jackson-han@undp.org | cell: +1 202 674 7442

Dublin, Ireland: Deborah Sweeney, Media Adviser to Minister Paschal Donohoe, email: pressoffice@finance.gov.ie | Phone: 00353 868586878 | Cell: 086 858 6878

Johannesburg, South Africa: Ayesha Babar, Strategic Coordination and Communications Specialist, UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub, email: ayesha.babar@undp.org | Cell: +92 333 4961974