UNFPA, UNDP Launch Joint Country Programmes to Accelerate SDGs in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, October 27, 2025 (ENA) – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, today launched a new joint Country Programmes for 2025–2030.

The country programmes launched at Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, brought together senior government officials, representatives from the UN system as well as development partners, the diplomatic community, civil society, and the private sector.

Speaking at the event, State Minister of Finance Semereta Sewasew said UNDP and UNFPA played vital role in advancing Ethiopia's development agenda.

“Your steadfast partnership has played a vital role in advancing our national priorities and contributing to our development agenda,'' she said.

Acknowledging their strong collaboration and responsive support to Ethiopia over the years, she noted that the contributions have been critical in governance, resilience, economic transformation, health, and gender equality.

Stating that the programmes are aligned with Ethiopia’s Ten-Year Development Plan and the Homegrown Economic Reform agenda, Semereta called for stronger synergy among UN agencies to ensure greater impact.

“This joint launch is both a celebration of our partnership and a reaffirmation of our shared responsibility to deliver for the people of Ethiopia,” she affirmed.

UNFPA Country Representative Koffi Kouame said, “Today’s event is more than the start of two new programmes. It is a renewed partnership — one built on collaboration, shared outcomes, and the synergy of our comparative strengths to advance human development in Ethiopia.”

The UNFPA on its part will invest in sexual and reproductive health, women’s empowerment, and youth potential, anchored on its global transformative goals to “end preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and end gender-based violence and harmful practices,” he elaborated.

The 10th Country Programme, with a budget of USD 140.04 million, targets more than 21 million women and young people across ten regions and one city administration, it was indicated.

UNDP Resident Representative Samuel Doe on his part said the new Country Programme, valued at USD 279.3 million will continue to build on a milestone on national dialogue and support core areas, including electoral assistance.

He added that UNDP aims to “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.”

The joint launch underscored the agencies’ commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s sustainable development goals through coordinated action, innovation, and inclusive growth.