The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance, officially launched their new Country Programmes for 2025–2030 in Addis Ababa. The joint initiative represents a renewed partnership to advance Ethiopia’s development priorities in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the Government’s Ten-Year Development Plan, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These programmes focus on human capital development, gender equality, resilience, and equitable progress across regions, with a shared goal of ensuring that no one is left behind.
Speaking at the launch, H.E. Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of Finance for Economic Cooperation, emphasized that the new programmes align with Ethiopia’s Home-Grown Economic Reform 2.0 and reflect the strong collaboration between the government and the UN system. She reaffirmed Ethiopia’s dedication to inclusive and sustainable growth through effective economic reforms and the efficient management of global aid. The minister highlighted the importance of universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, gender equality, and the elimination of harmful practices as central to achieving the nation’s sustainable and peaceful future.
UNFPA’s Country Programme, guided by its mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted and every childbirth is safe, focuses on the “Three Plus One” strategic priorities: ending preventable maternal deaths, addressing unmet needs for family planning, eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices, and stopping the sexual transmission of HIV. UNFPA Country Representative Mr. Koffi Kouame stated that the programme will strengthen systems and institutions to provide quality maternal and reproductive health services and survivor-centred support for victims of violence. Over its implementation period, UNFPA aims to reach more than 21 million women and young people across ten regions and one city administration with life-saving information and services.
UNDP’s new Country Programme, with an estimated budget of $279.3 million, will concentrate on three main pillars: strengthening governance and inclusive economic growth, advancing climate resilience, and promoting innovation and gender equality. UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Samuel Doe explained that the programme builds on key initiatives such as the demobilisation and reintegration programme and national dialogue, while continuing support for governance and electoral processes. He noted that UNDP aims to leverage innovation and artificial intelligence to expand solutions in climate action, governance, and job creation—particularly benefiting youth and women—to drive Ethiopia’s sustainable development forward.
