1st Steering Committee of UN Joint Programme on Transformative Growth of the Care Economy in Türkiye

It is a pleasure to welcome you all to this 1st Steering Committee Meeting of the UN Joint Programme on Transformative Growth of the Care Economy in Türkiye.

Let me begin by sincerely appreciating the strong commitment of our national counterparts, particularly the Ministry of Family and Social Services, and the steadfast collaboration of our implementing partners – ILO, UNDP with technical expertise from UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women. Your dedication has been instrumental in placing this Joint Programme firmly on track.

This Joint Programme is not just a project; it is a strategic and transformative effort to position the care economy as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development. As highlighted during the launch in January, care is the invisible backbone of our societies and economies. Making it visible, valued, and adequately supported is central to advancing Türkiye’s commitments to the SDGs, particularly those related to gender equality, decent work, and reducing inequalities.

Today, we are pleased to note that activities under the programme are progressing well, laying the groundwork for policy and legislative impacts that can reshape the care economy landscape in Türkiye. These structural shifts will be essential to unlocking new pathways for transformative growth and gender-equitable development.

The care economy will also continue to be one of the key cross-cutting intervention areas under the scope of the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026–2030, which is currently being developed in close collaboration with our national and international partners. Our shared aim is to ensure that care-related policies and services are further mainstreamed into national development strategies, promoting long-term social and economic resilience.

But our work cannot stop here. Sustaining and scaling up the results of this programme will require continued collective action, stronger cross-sectoral coordination, and the mobilization of additional resources. I encourage all partners to actively explore innovative financing and investment opportunities to ensure this agenda is not only advanced but institutionalized.

Please be assured that the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator – and I personally – remain fully committed to supporting the effective implementation and long-term success of this Joint Programme. Together, we have a real opportunity to transform how care is recognized, delivered, and supported in Türkiye.