New York, New York – As key global actors come together to attend the 78th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and discuss the status of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), BRAC International – the world’s largest Global South-led NGO – joined the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) of the UN’s flagship Joint SDG Fund. The Joint SDG Fund is a global fund dedicated to accelerating SDGs achievement in the Global South through integrated multi-sectoral policies and programs and a commitment to leaving no one behind.
The Advisory Group is the highest governance body of the Joint SDG Fund, chaired by the UN’s Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. The Advisory Group will consist of Member States, donors, civil society and the private sector, and UN representatives, including Ambassadors from the Permanent Missions of Bangladesh, Kenya, Indonesia, Egypt, Chile, Uzbekistan, Barbados, as well as the EU, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland among others.
As a member of the SAG, BRAC International will contribute to:
- Setting the strategic direction of the Joint SDG Fund and helping to achieve the Fund’s objectives
- Provide support on partnership and fundraising strategies through advocacy, mobilisation of resources, and communications coordination
- Review the Joint SDG Fund’s evaluations and management
“We look forward to supporting the Fund in our shared vision to achieve the SDGs and leave no one behind,” said Shameran Abed, Executive Director of BRAC International. “It’s really important to invest in transformative change, like scaling evidence-based programs that are already working to successfully and sustainably pull people out of extreme poverty.”
Since its establishment in 2017, the Joint SDG Fund has contributed to the following:
- Provided 188 million people access to new or extended social protection services
- Raised US$ 2.3 billion in additional finance for the SDGs
- Ensured 93% of joint programmes have significant gender results
The Joint SDG Fund has been recognized as one of the primary vehicle for delivering on the SDGs. Secretary-General António Gutteres has called for the Fund to catalyse US$ 1 billion in funds by 2024, and was identified as a key tool for supporting programme countries to implement the 2030 Agenda in the Political Declaration adopted by UN member states at the High-Level Political Forum ahead of the 2023 General Assembly.
“The UN Joint SDG Fund welcomes BRAC International, the world’s largest Global South-led NGO to the Strategic Advisory Group to drive progress across the Sustainable Development Goals. Anchored in international solidarity, fundamental to empowering a world that is more inclusive, peaceful, and resilient. We are determined to make all efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda and achieve the Global Goals with bold, ambitious, and transformative actions.“ Lisa Kurbiel, Head of the UN Joint SDG Fund Secretariat
Investments in integrated multi-sectoral initiatives that leave no one behind will be critical as we look to regain lost progress toward the SDGs. There was steady progress in reducing the number of people living in extreme poverty between 1980 and 2020, but with the compounding crises of COVID-19, conflict, and climate over the last three years, that number has risen for the first time in generations.
BRAC International looks forward to leveraging the Joint SDG Fund to accelerate progress on the SDGs. The international community needs to stop tinkering around the edges, and come together as civil society organisations, governments, multilateral organisations, donors, and academics to supercharge our efforts and find the political will to scale evidence-based programs that work. Those most affected by the issues the SDGs are designed to address deserve nothing less.
About BRAC International
BRAC International is a leading nonprofit organisation with a mission to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and social injustice. Our approach is grounded in the conviction that people living in vulnerable situations can be agents of change if they are empowered with the tools, skills, and hope they need to change their lives. BRAC was founded in Bangladesh 50 years ago and has since expanded internationally to design proven, scalable solutions that equip people with the support and confidence they need to achieve their potential. We apply our expertise, evidence, and learning from community-led approaches in Bangladesh and 16 countries across Asia and Africa, touching the lives of over 100 million people.
About The United Nations Joint SDG Fund
The United Nations Joint SDG Fund endeavours to turbocharge the 2030 Agenda by addressing the fragmentation of the UN’s global response. The Fund assists countries in regaining lost ground by identifying and financing catalytic actions to accelerate sustainable development. The Fund leverages collective capacities, networks, and resources of the UN development system, brought together under the leadership of Resident Coordinators to support Governments and local communities in priority areas based on their national needs. The Joint SDG Fund’s joint programmes are under the prestige leadership of the Resident Coordinator Office and implementing United Nations Agencies. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
