Tom Beloe says the key UNDP strategy for lifting and coordinating national development priorities and funding is to strengthen systems that connect policies, institutions and investments.
“As a trusted partner with global reach and deep national presence, he said: “We will help governments improve fiscal governance, expand fiscal space and create conditions that could attract capital.
“Between 2022 and 2024, all dollars received by UNDP were catalyzed nearly $60 with investments lined up by additional SDGs, totaling over $8700 billion, including $4300 billion in public budgets lined up through reforms and $38 billion in private finance channeled through stronger investment ecosystems and standards.
“In Africa, UNDP supports more than 30 countries with integrated national funding framework (INFF). Initiatives like the African Minigurd Programme are expanding solar energy and catalyzing investments in 21 Sahara countries.
“In Kenya, for example, 16.6 million euros of blend finance promote solar cold storage for smallholder farmers, identifying more than 200 investment opportunities across 11 sectors.
Are Beloe optimistic that it will help mobilize the estimated 4.3trn needed to fill the SDG funding gap, and that the Compromiso de Sevilla (Seville Commitment – Conference Aut Common) will help mobilize?
“Rompromiso de Sevilla provides the foundation for integrating all public and private funding sources with sustainable development and climate goals. Governments will help connect financial, natural and development priorities. UNDP is already working with over 100 countries to implement the core elements of the Sevilla outcome from public financial reform and integrated funding strategies.”
But given today's geopolitical and economic challenges, what additional steps is he taking to say that UNDP is needed as a champion to stimulate such enormous global development?
“In an increasingly fragmented world, UNDP is focusing first on increasing domestic revenues, including initiatives like tax inspectors that have strengthened the fiscal system, expanded fiscal space and mobilized $2.4 billion across borders.
“Secondly, by stimulating private capital mobilization, we will support risky investment countries, build a pipeline that is aligned with the SDGs, and leverage new equipment such as key bonds and upcoming ISO/UNDP management system standards to expand access to private finance.
“And through multilateral coordination such as platforms such as the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and platforms such as regional initiatives such as the Platform for Investment and Technical Assistance, UNDP will promote collaboration between governments, development finance institutions and investors.”
Governance Challenge
Most people will know that eradication of poverty and reducing inequality remains the Core UNDP goal. Beloe states:
“Across Africa, we help our nation raise funds for health, education, energy access and social protection. Through initiatives such as gender-responsive budgeting and review of social spending, governments direct resources where they are most important.”
For example, he said, “The Timbuktu Initiative mobilizes public and private capital to grow the African innovation ecosystem. By investing in youth-driven startups and comprehensive technology solutions, it helps create jobs and align entrepreneurship with SDG priorities.”
The 2025 UNDP Human Development Report focuses on AI promises and risks. Beloe believes UNDP is helping to shape this future. “The report emphasizes that AI is not just a technological change, it is a governance challenge. UNDP ensures that the digital transition is comprehensive, ethical and in line with the Human Development Goals.
“This is a crucial moment for development finance. The clock is ticking, and traditional approaches do not provide the scale of change that is needed.
“UNDP advocates a bold, follow-through-led fundraising strategy that includes recognition of an integrated national fundraising framework to align all funding with national goals.”
These results, he says, “will determine whether the world is a more equitable, inclusive, resilient future financial finances, or whether it doesn't meet this moment.”
