Uniting for our future

The latest Human Development Report for 2023/2024 unveils a troublesome trend: the global Human Development Index (HDI) is experiencing a partial and uneven recovery. Despite reaching record highs in 2023, indicating progress in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, education and life expectancy, these advancements have not been equitably shared. Wealthy nations have seen unparalleled levels of human development, while half of the world's poorest countries have not yet recovered to their pre-2019 levels of progress.

In the face of escalating conflicts and climate-related crises, among other global 'polycrises', poorer countries are especially hard-hit, grappling with debt and dwindling revenue streams to finance their development goals. In this complex landscape of global challenges, the path forward demands innovation, resilience and unity.

Leading the charge towards a greener, more inclusive and sustainable future are the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). Central to our collaborative strategy is the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - a worldwide call to action aimed at ending poverty, protecting the environment, and ensuring peace and prosperity by 2030. Through bolstering partnerships with premier international financial institutions, we at UNDP are broadening access to innovative development financing, with our collaboration with the IsDB being pivotal for achieving the SDGs.

Since 2016, the UNDP and IsDB have joined forces under a partnership framework and a joint action plan, to deliver sustainable solutions that enhance lives and make a global impact.

Through the Youth Digitalization for Employability and Entrepreneurship Program (Y-DEEP), IsDB and UNDP are building more agile national entrepreneurship ecosystems, digital skills and knowledge for the 21st century economy, starting with an initial 35,000 individuals for the workforce across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Maldives and Pakistan.