South Africa remains committed to aligning its fiscal framework with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Development Plan (NDP) despite persistent challenges of low growth, poverty, inequality, and unemployment. To accelerate progress toward sustainable development, the UN Country Team (UNCT) jointly mobilized resources for the implementation of the cooperation framework, strengthening coordination and partnerships across government, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator, significant results were achieved — including EU support for addressing gender-based violence in schools, expanded donor funding for FAO and UNHCR, the forthcoming launch of UN-Habitat’s Country Programme, and new SDG Joint Fund and SE4ALL partnerships advancing South Africa’s Just Energy Transition and sustainable development agenda.

Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires substantial financial investment. As South Africa’s economy continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and global geopolitical disruptions, the country remains com mitted to aligning its fiscal framework with both the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Development Plan (NDP) – Vision 2030. However, persistent low economic growth continues to exacerbate the triple challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment, limiting progress in meeting national and public aspirations. 

Resource mobilization remains essential to overcome these barriers and accelerate progress toward sustainable development. 

In 2024, the UN Country Team (UNCT) adopted a multifaceted resource mobilization strategy to support the implementation of the Cooperation Framework and its Joint Work Plans. Guided by the Cooperation Framework Joint Financing and Re source Mobilization Strategy, the UNCT ensured coordinated planning, targeted allocation of resources, and maximized development impact. 

The UNCT continued to identify and engage partners whose mandates align with the strategic priorities of the Cooperation Framework. A multi-stakeholder approach was employed to expand collaboration with the private sector, civil society, academia, think tanks, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals, enhancing both the diversity and sustainability of funding sources. 

Significant progress has been achieved under the RC and UNCT leadership, with the EU committing to support UNICEF and UNESCO in addressing GBV in schools. UNHCR and FAO have successfully accessed donor funds through the National Treasury, enhancing their operational capacity. UN-Habitat, with the RC’s strategic backing, secured departmental, ministerial, and cabinet approval for its Country Presence and Programme, set to launch in 2025. Additionally, the RC facilitated SDG Joint Fund support for the JETP programme and secured SE4ALL’s commitment to providing technical and coordination assistance, reinforcing sustainable development efforts