UN Hosted Consultations in Ankara to support Sustainable Development in Türkiye

Last week, the United Nations in Türkiye initiated a series of critical consultations in Ankara aimed at shaping UN’s development priorities for the coming years in line with the development priorities of the country. As the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2021-2025 draws to a close, preparations are underway to design the next framework for 2026-2030. These consultations brought together close to 200 key stakeholders from civil society, academia, the private sector, labor organizations, and other partners with UN staff in 4 separate sessions. The valuable and innovative inputs of the stakeholders will guide future development efforts.

During the opening session, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi the UN Resident Coordinator welcomed participants, emphasizing the collective nature of the work ahead. "We don't operate in a vacuum," the Resident Coordinator noted. "Our success depends on your expertise, insights, and commitment as partners. We want to reflect together on the UN’s context analysis and improve it with your inputs to finalize a framework that truly addresses the challenges and opportunities facing Türkiye” he continued.

“As a country almost at the high-income country threshold, there is need for revamped efforts to Leave-No-One-Behind and ensure that everyone benefits from development and everyone has the means and opportunities to contribute to the development of the country” emphasized Dr. Ahonsi. 

UN Resident Coordinator stressed the need to focus efforts on areas where UN and its partners can really make a shift, have positive spill overs to other areas and make most of the synergies between different domains.

The consultations are part of a broader process to develop the new Cooperation Framework, which will serve as the guiding document for the UN’s development activities in Türkiye over the next five years. The UNSDCF is the UN’s most important planning instrument, aligning its work with the government’s priorities and global development agendas, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The current discussions focus on key areas such as inclusive and equitable social development, climate change, green and digital transformation, and addressing inequalities and expanding opportunities. The Resident Coordinator highlighted five global mega-trends identified by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs as key influences on the development trajectory of the globe as well as the development trajectory of individual countries such as Türkiye: climate change, demographic shifts, urbanization, digital technologies, and growing inequalities.

“Türkiye’s vulnerability to climate change, the implications of a fast demographic transition, and the rapid urbanization all pose significant challenges. However, they also offer opportunities for innovation and growth,” Dr. Ahonsi explained, referencing the key findings from the context analysis conducted by UN agencies.

During the consultations participants shared their views on current development challenges and proposed strategies to address them in 4 sessions titled Inclusive and Equitable Social Development; Governance and Human Rights; Economic Transformation for Green, Resilient, Inclusive Development; and Safeguarding the Planet and Strengthening Resilience.

The consultations aim to not only refine the context analysis but also identify priority areas for the new Cooperation Framework, ensuring it reflects the voices of all sectors of society and strengthens Türkiye’s development path towards achieving the SDGs.

By engaging various partners and experts, the UN hopes to ensure that the next UNSDCF will support Türkiye’s aspirations to become a high-income country, achieve a green and digital transition, and expand welfare equitably. With an emphasis on leaving no one behind, the framework will continue to push for inclusive growth and sustainable development across all sectors.

The recommendations from the consultations will help shape the final Cooperation Framework for 2026-2030, paving the way for Türkiye’s progress toward its national development goals in alignment with global efforts for a more sustainable, equitable and green future.