The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 

The Ethiopia United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025–2030) outlines the strategic partnership between the United Nations and Ethiopia to accelerate progress toward the country’s development priorities and the SDGs. Anchored on Ethiopia’s Ten-Year Development Plan (2021–2030) and aligned with Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and Africa Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, the framework envisions an equitable, peaceful, and prosperous Ethiopia, driven by self[1]reliance and resilience, where no one is left behind, and sustainable development is achieved for all by 2030. At the heart of this Cooperation Framework is a bold ambition to achieve transformative results by 2030. It seeks to end aid dependency for the most vulnerable populations by fostering self-reliance and creating sustainable livelihoods. It aims to achieve food security through increased agricultural productivity and the local production of nutritious food, ensuring that all Ethiopians have access to sufficient and healthy diets. The framework also envisions a fully digitized public service system, enabling equitable access to essential goods and services for all citizens. Furthermore, it aspires to ensure universal access to clean energy and water, improving the quality of life for all Ethiopians and laying the foundation for sustainable development. 

To achieve these transformative results, the Cooperation Framework adopts a strategic approach that accelerates progress through six transformational SDG transitions, addressing Ethiopia’s development priorities while tackling the root causes of recurrent humanitarian needs and promoting durable solutions. It emphasizes fostering joint strategic and innovative interventions that deliver scalable and catalytic impact, embedding equality, inclusion, human rights, and sustainability as cross-cutting principles in all interventions. Strengthening accountability and results-oriented implementation is central to this approach, ensuring that progress is measurable and impactful. 

The Cooperation Framework is structured around five strategic priorities that address Ethiopia’s most pressing challenges and unlock opportunities for sustainable development. 

1. Peace and Governance: Strengthening institutions, fostering social cohesion, advancing human rights, and supporting the transitional justice process are essential foundations for sustainable development. Without peace, effective governance, and accountability, progress in other areas remains fragile and difficult to sustain. 
2. Economy, Food Security, and Energy: Structural economic transformation— including the modernization and optimization of agriculture, the development of sustainable food systems, and investments in renewable energy—is essential for improving livelihoods, reducing poverty, and enhancing food self-reliance. 
3. Social Development: Building human capital through improved access to quality education, healthcare, social protection, and other basic social services is critical to ensuring equitable opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups.
4. Environmental Sustainability, Resilience, and Preparedness: Addressing Ethiopia’s vulnerability to climate change through climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable urban management and sustainable natural resource management is necessary to safeguard development gains and build resilience.
5. Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Young People: As a cross-cutting priority, gender equality underpins progress in all other areas. Addressing systemic inequalities and empowering women and girls ensures their full participation in development and governance processes, while driving broader social and economic benefits.

The Cooperation Framework was developed through an inclusive and evidence-based consultative process, engaging the Government, civil society, private sector, youth, vulnerable groups, and international development partners. It reflects Ethiopia’s ambition to address key development challenges, including structural macro-economic imbalances, the recurrence of humanitarian crises mainly driven by conflict, climate, economic shocks, and displacement, and governance deficits and bottlenecks, while leveraging opportunities to foster lasting peace and achieve sustainable development for all. Ethiopia has made significant progress in recent decades, including rapid economic growth and improved living standards. However, overlapping crises since 2020 have strained this progress, increasing food insecurity, poverty, and inequalities. The Cooperation Framework aims to address these challenges by fostering resilience, promoting inclusive development, and ensuring that no one is left behind. 

The United Nations will leverage its global expertise, partnerships, and convening power to support Ethiopia in achieving these transformative goals. By fostering collaboration, mobilizing resources, and promoting innovative solutions, the UN will work alongside the Government and stakeholders to accelerate progress toward Ethiopia’s vision of sustainable development for all.