Strategic Partnerships

UNFPA has a critical role within the UN system to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and to achieve the three transformative results by 2030: ending the unmet need for family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.

The UN system is facing unprecedented challenges. Climate change, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing inequality and armed conflicts are placing exceptional demands on the multilateral system.

The interconnected and interdisciplinary nature of the Sustainable Development Goals calls for a collective approach by the UN system to bring together agency-specific mandates for coordinated joint policy and programmatic support.

How we work with UN agencies

UNFPA is committed to the Secretary-General’s plans on the Reform of the UN Development System, which places importance on multilateral finances. In line with the United Nations reforms, UNFPA works closely with other UN agencies to support joint monitoring and evaluation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and other inter-agency processes. Increasing the focus on joint accountability improves system-wide coherence and collaboration to deliver on the strategic plan. Through working together with sister agencies to implement development rollout, UNFPA adds value to the greater UN system while accelerating the ICPD agenda during the Decade of Action.

United Nations pooled funds, joint programmesand other UN funding arrangements continue to represent a growing portion of UNFPA non-core resources and an integral part of UNFPA’s funding architecture. Revenue coming from UN sources has seen a significant increase in the past years, recognizing that the 2030 Agenda requires integrated joint delivery and collaboration to bring added value at the global and local level. In 2022, contributions from the UN system represented $217 million USD to UNFPA.

Our partners

Through Joint Programmes, Multi-Donor Trust Funds and other funding arrangements, UNFPA works especially closely with UNICEF, UN Women, UNDP and others to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.

Examples of our partnerships:

UNFPA and UNICEF jointly lead two of the largest Joint Programmes on harmful practices.The Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation has in the last 13 years been actively contributing to the accelerated elimination of FGM globally. Additionally, in 2016, UNFPA, together with UNICEF, launched a global programme to tackle child marriage in 12 of the most high-prevalence or high-burden countries.

UNFPA continues to support eliminating all forms of violence against women through the Spotlight Initiative – a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and 11 UN agencies.

An example of a successful Joint Programme at the regional level is 2gether4SRHR, which aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people in the East and Southern Africa region, particularly adolescent girls, young people and key populations.

Leaders and Advocates

Funding and impact

United nations agencies

How we work with UN agencies

Our partners