Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa at the signing ceremony of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030 in Pretoria. Photo Credit: GCIS

NNA News - The South African government and the United Nations (UN) have signed a five-year cooperation framework to support the country's national development priorities and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030 was signed in Pretoria by Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, and United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa, Nelson Muffuh.

The agreement outlines how the UN will support South Africa through policy advice, technical assistance, innovation, institutional capacity building, knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships over the next five years. The framework is centred on three priority areas: promoting inclusive economic growth, strengthening accountable and effective governance, and building resilience through climate action, environmental sustainability and disaster risk reduction.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Ramokgopa said the agreement marked a new phase of cooperation focused on translating commitments into measurable outcomes. "The signing of the framework confirms our shared vision. It represents something even more significant: our collective readiness to shift from planning to action, from commitments to measurable outcomes, and from aspirations to real improvements in the lives of our people," she said.

Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa addresses the signing ceremony of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030 in Pretoria. Photo Credit: GCIS

Muffuh said the framework would guide cooperation between the UN and the South African government during the remaining years leading up to 2030, the target year for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. "The role of the United Nations development system is to stand alongside the government and the people of South Africa, bringing global experience, technical expertise, convening power, data and evidence, and international solidarity in support of the country's own development journey," Muffuh said.

The framework aligns with South Africa's national development priorities while supporting global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through coordinated partnerships between government, the United Nations and other stakeholders.