The United Nations in Zambia

The United Nations in Zambia comprises 24 agencies (Resident and Non-Resident agencies) namely: FAO, IFAD, ILO, IOM, ITC, OHCHR, UN WOMEN, UNAIDS, UNCDF, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNECA, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN-HABITAT, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNODC, UNOPS, WFP, WHO and WMO.

The support of the UN System in Zambia is coordinated under Zambia- United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023–2027, developed in close partnership with the Government of the Republic of Zambia and in consultation with development partners, enables a coherent UN response supporting Zambia to achieve the 2030 Agenda, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the country’s National Vision 2030.

In the case of Zambia, the UNSDCF 2023–2027 formulation process was informed by a consultative Common Country Analysis; Zambia’s Vision 2030 and its Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) covering the period 2022–2026; the external, independent evaluation of the UN Sustainable Development Partnership Framework 2016–2022; the COVID-19 Recovery Needs Assessment; and agencies consultations.

It was also informed by a comprehensive configuration exercise that looked at all the capacities and resources available to achieve the goals and targets of the UNSDCF 2023–2027 and ultimately led to the reinforcement of the Zambia United Nations Country Team (UNCT) for the 2023–2027 period.

The Cooperation Framework focuses on four pillars: Peace, People, Prosperity and Planet, with Partnership mainstreamed across these pillars. It is aligned with the Government’s development priorities and considers the country’s macroeconomic situation as well as the critical impact of climate change, which continues to hamper progress towards SDGs attainment. Furthermore, it aims at reinforcing the Peace–Humanitarian–Development Nexus, to make it possible to respond to crisis in a sustainable way.

The Cooperation Framework addresses core UN programming principles – namely, Leaving No One Behind (LNOB); a Human Rights-Based Approach; Gender Equality; Resilience; Sustainability; and Accountability.

Key Outcomes of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023–2027

Strategic Priority 1: PROSPERITY

The UN focus under the Prosperity Pillar is on inclusive economic transformation; improved productivity and incomes; ensuring social protection for all; and balancing economic, social and environmental goals for sustainability. UN support in this pillar will contribute to enabling all people in Zambia, particularly women, youth, children, the displaced, refugees, the stateless and other marginalized and vulnerable groups, to be active economic actors.

Outcome 1.

By 2027, all people in Zambia, including the marginalized and vulnerable groups, benefit from an inclusive, resilient and sustainable economy that provides equitable, diverse and sustainable opportunities for decent jobs, livelihoods and businesses.

Strategic Priority 2: PEOPLE

The People Pillar will see the UN working to improve the well-being of Zambians by addressing and integrating service provision for health, education and skills with a focus on the present and the future. In addition to strengthening systems and human capabilities, the UN will support critical transformations that will foster the resilience of people and systems to the effects of climate change and other crises.

Outcome 2.

By 2027, all people in Zambia, including the marginalized and vulnerable groups, have equitable access to and utilization of quality, inclusive and gender- and shock-responsive universal social services.

Strategic Priority 3: PEACE

The Peace Pillar will enhance national efforts on human rights, inclusive governance, inclusion, safety, gender equality, access to justice and sustaining peace.

Outcome 3.

By 2027, all people, including the marginalized and vulnerable groups, participate in and benefit from sustained peace, democracy, human rights, rule of law, justice, nondiscrimination, equality and inclusive and transformative governance.

Strategic Priority 4: PLANET

The Planet Pillar is concerned with enabling more sustainable management of Zambia’s natural

resources, mitigating climate change and reducing and managing disaster risks.

Outcome 4.

By 2027, ecosystems are healthier, and all people, including the marginalized and vulnerable groups, are more resilient and contribute to and benefit from the sustainable management and use of natural resources and environmental services, and more effective responses to climate change, shocks and stresses.

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The Sustainable Development Goals in Zambia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Zambia: