Key Focus 2025

UNCT Key Focus for 2025

To accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the UN Country Team has identified key focus areas and collaborative initiatives for 2025. These priorities will be implemented jointly across all Results Groups, in partnership with government, civil society, and the private sector, under the principle of Delivering as One and through a whole-of-society approach to ensure greater impact and sustainable outcomes. The following are some of the key areas identified:

Supporting South Africa’s G20 Presidency 

  • Continued coordination, advocacy and convening on issues of SDGs Transitions, taking forward Pact for the Future, and Financing for Development   
  • Provide strategic engagement platforms, technical expertise and policy advisory to the government and G20 teams and work streams.  
  • Strengthen G20 outcomes for people and planet through the engagement groups and social summit as well as providing insights into the official tracks.

Advancing South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET), NDCs 3.0 and Continued support to biodiversity preservation, resilience, and eradication of pollution and waste

  • Provide convening, advocacy, technical and financial support for the development and implementation of NDCs 3.0, ensuring ambitious economy-wide climate targets are aligned with the Just Energy Transition.  
  • Accompany the finalization and rollout of the early warning for all, the climate change response fund, and other disaster response platforms.
  • Continue to convene and support the country’s efforts in JET through the implementation of joint support initiatives, including the SDG-Funded Programme and PAGE 2.0.

Development of the 2026–2030 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework

  • Lead a consultative, multi-stakeholder engagement process to inform the priorities of the next Cooperation Framework.  
  • Align the new Cooperation Framework with the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), SDG transitions and acceleration pathways, the VNRs 2024/2025 report, and the AU Agenda 2063. 

Tackling Poverty and Enhancing Wellbeing 

  • Implement the Pandemic Fund to strengthen the One Health approach.   
  • Support the implementation of the NHI. u Strengthening the GBV, HIV, and Pandemic Response.  
  • Support Early Childhood Development