Ethiopia and United Nations Sign New Cooperation Framework

The Government of Ethiopia and the United Nations in Ethiopia have officially signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2025 to 2030, signaling a renewed partnership aimed at advancing Ethiopia’s development priorities and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Finance and was attended by Her Excellency Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, and Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia. The event was further attended by Heads of UN agencies operating in Ethiopia, emphasizing the strong collaborative effort to support the country’s development agenda.

The new Cooperation Framework aims to address Ethiopia’s most urgent challenges through a comprehensive approach that promotes resilience, inclusivity, and sustainable growth by strengthening resilience to climate change and economic shocks, building sustainable food systems and improving livelihoods—particularly in rural areas—creating job opportunities with a focus on empowering youth and women, modernizing development programs through digital transformation, and providing targeted support to vulnerable populations such as women, children, and persons with disabilities.

This framework is developed through an inclusive, participatory process aligned with Ethiopia’s Ten-Year Development Plan and the Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda 2.0. It also reflects Ethiopia’s commitment to the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emphasizing self-reliance, peace, and stability. 

The UNSDCF is organized around five strategic pillars—Peace and Good Governance; Economic Development, Food Security, and Energy; Social Services, Education, and Protection; Environmental Sustainability, Climate Resilience, and Disaster Preparedness; and Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment—that will guide interventions over the next five years, with the aim of complementing and strengthening Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts toward sustainable and inclusive development.

An estimated US$6.5 billion is required to implement the framework fully over five years. Currently, approximately US$1.5 billion has been mobilized, leaving a funding gap of US$5 billion. Addressing this gap will be critical for realizing the framework’s objectives and ensuring impactful results.

Ethiopia hosts one of the largest United Nations Country Teams (UNCT) globally, comprising about 28 UN agencies based in Addis Ababa. To enhance coordination and maximize impact, the framework introduces strengthened mechanisms, including empowered Results Groups responsible for integrated planning, monitoring, and reporting. These measures are designed to improve coherence and efficiency across UN interventions.

“The new Cooperation Framework embodies our shared vision and trust in Ethiopia’s reform journey,” said Her Excellency Semereta Sewasew. “It sets a strong foundation for transformative progress, and I urge all UN agencies to fully implement the coordination mechanisms outlined, as this is essential for maximizing our collective impact.”

Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov emphasized, “This Framework reflects the strength of our partnership with Ethiopia. Through joint efforts, we aim to build resilient systems, empower women and youth, and develop sustainable solutions so that no one is left behind. The UN is committed to leveraging its expertise and partnerships to support Ethiopia’s development priorities and accelerate progress toward the SDGs.”

The UNSDCF is scheduled to commence in July 2025, with the Government of Ethiopia reaffirming its commitment to its effective implementation. The partnership aims to deliver measurable progress in Ethiopia’s journey toward a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient nation.