UNCT Türkiye 2021 Results Report

Foreword from Resident Coordinator Alvaro Rodriguez

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT), in close consultation with the Government of Türkiye, has developed a new cooperation framework for the 2021-2025 period. The framework, known as the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) is a core instrument defining how the UNCT in Türkiye contributes to the national development priorities set out by the Government of Türkiye in the National Development Plan 2019-2023 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Building on the progress from past frameworks, the UNSDCF guides the United Nations system in planning and implementing United Nations development activities at country level, as well as in mobilising a spectrum of development partners beyond the United Nations. It also enhances cooperation between the Government of Türkiye and United Nations Funds, Agencies and Programmes. In this report, I share with you the progress made in the first year of implementation across UNSDCF priority areas: Inclusive and Equitable Social Development; Competitive Production, Productivity and Decent Work for All; Climate Change, Sustainable Environment and Liveable Cities; Good Governance and Quality of Judicial Services. Both achievements and areas that deserve further focus are highlighted.

The first year of the UNSDCF was marked by the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. New and pressing health and socioeconomic concerns led to the adjustment of existing programming and the development of specialised initiatives. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that as we address current development issues, we also need to foster resilience to future shocks and uncertainties that can upend the lives of the most vulnerable in Türkiye and around the world. This includes identifying and proactively reducing disaster risk, enhancing preparedness and assisting national capacity for effective response to crises. The first year of the UNSDCF has also witnessed important positive developments. Türkiye’s ratification of the Paris Agreement is one of the leading ones. With the ratification of the agreement, Türkiye joined all G20 countries. Türkiye’s ratification and implementation of the Paris Agreement will have a positive and significant effect on the success of the UNSDCF, as climate is one of the leading priorities of the development cooperation framework.