Mobilizing and deploying impact capital for development in the LDCs is more critical now than ever

Mobilizing and deploying capital for development in the least developed countries (LDCs) has never been more critical. The decade of action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals began with an unprecedented health and socioeconomic crisis that may push up to 32 million more people living in LDCs back into extreme poverty.

the Least Developed Countries

1 Billion

Population in the LDCs

1.3% of GDP

% of Global GDP

1.4% FDI

% Foreign Direct Investment

1%

% of Global Exports

The more than 1.08 billion people who live in LDCs face challenges ranging from their informal, undiversified economies to climate change and the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

These countries need capital to invest in infrastructure and human development to build institutions, establish market systems, support entrepreneurship, harness the potential of youth and achieve basic standards of living for all.

With its unique mandate and focus on the LDCs

UNCDF works to invest and catalyse capital to support these countries in achieving the sustainable growth and inclusiveness envisioned by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha programme of action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.

01

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

A plan of action for people, planet and prosperity.

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02

Doha programme of action for the least developed countries

A new generation of commitments between the LDCs and their development partners.

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Strategic Framework

UNCDF aims to accelerate financing for development in the LDCs by supporting them to achieve three interlinked strategic game-changers

Catalyse

Catalyse additional private
and public flows of capital

Strengthen

Strengthen market systems
and financing mechanisms

Accelerate

Accelerate inclusive, diversified,
green economic transformation

Under this Strategic Framework, 2022-2025, UNCDF will realize its full potential as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution

by fulfilling its overall financing mandate with capital deployment, financial advisory services and capital catalysation.

Five Priority Areas

This will be coupled with development expertise across five priority areas, including the well-established flagship areas of inclusive digital economies and local transformative finance, as well as the emerging areas of women's economic empowerment, climate, energy, and biodiversity financing, and sustainable food systems financing.

Inclusive Digital Economies

Local Transformative Finance

Women’s Economic Empowerment

Climate, Energy and Biodiversity Finance

Sustainable Food Systems Finance

The Strategic Framework outlines the mission of the organization

At the center of the Strategic Framework is the UNCDF offer.

Official Document Illustrated Document

Impact Capital for Development

to invest in infrastructure and human development to build institutions, establish market systems, support entrepreneurship, harness the potential of youth and achieve basic standards of living for all.

UN flagship catalytic financing entity for the LDCs

UNCDF expands its role as the United Nations flagship catalytic financing entity for the LDCs to include strengthening financing mechanisms and systems for structural transformation.

Deliver more support for the LDCs through the UN

UNCDF combines its Sustainable Development Goal financing capabilities, instruments and sector expertise with the wider development and operational capacities of the United Nations development system to deliver more comprehensive and impactful support for the LDCs.

Build partnerships with private and public actors

UNCDF continues to build partnerships with private and public actors to achieve greater results and development impact and unlock additional resources.

UNCDF builds a culture that leverages innovation

To realize its vision and Strategic Framework, UNCDF builds a culture that leverages digital and other types of innovation and encourages integrated approaches that are responsive to the priorities and opportunities of the LDCs.