To ensure a coordinated and effective response to national priorities, the UN established dedicated working groups focused on critical and emerging issues. These included efforts to strengthen elector al processes, support safe and culturally sensitive customary male initiation practices, and advance climate action through NDC 3.0 and the Just Energy Transition, aligning South Africa’s development with global sustainability goals. The groups also leveraged South Africa’s G20 engagement to promote inclusive economic growth and contributed to the transformation of food systems to enhance food security, resilience, and sustainability. 

A Disability Task Team was formed to promote dis ability inclusion, both within the UN and in collab oration with the government, reinforcing the UN’s commitment to leaving no one behind. As part of this effort, the UN successfully convened a consultation with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, ensuring their perspectives were integrated into the Cooperation Framework design.

Thematic groups also strengthened their efforts across cross-cutting priorities:

• The Gender Theme Group retrained focal points on gender mainstreaming and the gender equality marker, reinforcing account ability for gender equality. 

• The Youth Theme Group led efforts to advance youth inclusion across programmes and policies, including the relaunch of Generation Unlimited (GenU) to empower young people.

The PSEA Task Team made significant strides in safeguarding, notably through a training-of-trainers workshop that retrained nearly 100 staff on preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). The Task Team also engaged implementing partners on investigative procedures and the draft country strategy on PSEA, enhancing coordination and effectiveness in protection efforts.

The Resident Coordinator played a central role in convening high-level ministerial engagements and strengthening collaboration between the UN Country Team (UNCT) and government leaders. Through these strategic engagements, the UNCT delivered a clear value proposition, reinforcing its commitment to supporting South Africa’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Business Operating System (BOS) 

Implementation of the Business Operations Strategy (BOS) has continued, coordinated through the UN’s results-based framework. The approach emphasizes collaboration among UN entities at the country level, through joint services or services delivered by one UN entity on behalf of others. The implementation of BOS has significantly enhanced the delivery of the Cooperation Framework. In 2024, the UNCT successfully achieved cost avoidance amounting to USD 1.3 million by streamlining operations and fostering collaboration. Beyond cost savings, the UNCT has also emphasized quality improvements across all Common Service Lines, ensuring more efficient and effective service delivery. 

UN Communications Group: Report on Communication and Advocacy 

The UN Communications Group (UNCG) played a pivotal role in advancing the UN’s mission in South Africa by aligning its communications strategy with the Cooperation Framework. Through strategic campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and media collabo ration, UNCG enhanced partnerships and increased public awareness of global priorities. 

Key public awareness initiatives included billboard campaigns for the Summit of the Future and the UN Global Road Safety Campaign, reinforcing messages on sustainable development and road safety. UNCG also supported major events such as the International Social Justice Conference, TEDx Johannesburg Salon Talks on the SDGs, and the Indigenous Languages and Media Seminar, facilitating dialogue on equity, sustainability, and linguistic diversity. 

Media engagement was strengthened through relationships with journalists and co-hosted seminars with the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), covering topics such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and mis- and disinformation. UNCG also facilitated media coverage of visiting UN dignitaries. 

Advocacy efforts were further reinforced through leadership of activities for UN Day, 16 Days of Activism, Nelson Mandela International Day, and other commemorative events. A robust digital presence on UN South Africa’s platforms ensured continuous public engagement. 

These efforts contributed significantly to advancing the SDGs, promoting multilateralism, and cultivating public awareness across South Africa.