The UNDP Global Fund Partnership

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is centred around six core development areas, known as our signature solutions: poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) – ensuring health and well-being for all at all ages – is critical to achieving progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Because health is an integral part of human capital and a precondition, driver and outcome of sustainable development, SDG 3 is linked to around 50 health-related targets across the SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind. Cascading and intersecting global crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic, mean the world is not progressing at the pace needed to reach the health-related SDG targets by 2030. The increasing complexity of the health and development landscape, widening economic and social inequalities, rapid urbanization and the increasing frequency and impact of humanitarian crises, highlight the need to adopt an integrated approach to health and development in order to ensure progress across the SDGs. This means using a strategic approach that harnesses key synergies across the goals and delivers shared gains. Health is one key area where successful outcomes can positively impact multiple SDGs. For example, good health can make important contributions to achieving gender equality and empowering women, reducing inequalities, providing access to justice and ending poverty and hunger. Similarly, advances in these areas can in return benefit health.

Resilient systems for health are especially needed where political turmoil persists and where natural disasters are most prone to strike. A targeted approach ensures the most vulnerable are reached. UNDP continues to work with governments to help focus on geographic areas where needs are elevated or where epidemics present a public health concern. More investments in health and community systems can ensure that those most in need receive the assistance integral to their survival and well-being.

For further information please refer to Connecting the Dots: Towards a More Equitable, Healthier and Sustainable Future: UNDP HIV and Health Strategy 2022-2025. The strategy guides UNDP’s work on HIV and health in the context of the 2030 Agenda.