Output 1.1 The 2030 Agenda, Paris Agreement and other intergovernmentally-agreed frameworks integrated in national and local development plans, measures to accelerate progress put in place, and budgets and progress assessed using data-driven solutions Output 1.2 Social protection services and systems strengthened across sectors with increased investment Output 1.3 Access to basic services and financial and non-financial assets and services improved to support productive capacities for sustainable livelihoods and jobs to achieve prosperity Output 1.4 Equitable, resilient and sustainable systems for health and pandemic preparedness strengthened to address communicable and non-communicable diseases, including COVID-19, HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and mental health Output 2.1 Open, agile, accountable and future-ready governance systems in place to co-create and deliver solutions to accelerate SDG achievement Output 2.2 Civic space and access to justice expanded, racism and discrimination addressed, and rule of law, human rights and equity strengthened Output 2.3 Responsive governance systems and local governance strengthened for socio economic opportunity, inclusive basic service delivery, community security, and peacebuilding Output 2.4 Democratic institutions and processes strengthened for an inclusive and open public sphere with expanded public engagement Output 3.1 Institutional systems to manage multi-dimensional risks and shocks strengthened at regional, national and sub-national levels Output 3.2 Capacities for conflict prevention and peacebuilding strengthened at regional, national and sub-national levels and across borders Output 3.3 Risk informed and gender-responsive recovery solutions, including stabilization efforts and mine action, implemented at regional, national and sub-national levels Output 3.4 Integrated development solutions implemented to address the drivers of irregular and forced migration, enhance the resilience of migrants, forcibly displaced and host communities, and expand the benefits of human mobility Output 4.1 Natural resources protected and managed to enhance sustainable productivity and livelihoods Output 4.2 Public and private investment mechanisms mobilized for biodiversity, water, oceans, and?climate solutions Output 5.1 Energy gap closed Output 5.2 Transition to renewable energy accelerated capitalizing on technological gains, clean energy innovations and new financing mechanisms to support green recovery Output 6.1 Country-led measures implemented to achieve inclusive economies and to advance economic empowerment of women in all their diversity, including in crisis contexts Output 6.2 Women’s leadership and participation advanced through implementing affirmative measures, strengthening institutions and civil society, and addressing structural barriers, in order to advance gender equality, including in crisis contexts Output 6.3 National capacities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) and address harmful gender social norms strengthened, including in crisis contexts Output E.1 People and institutions equipped with strengthened digital capabilities and opportunities to contribute to and benefit from inclusive digital societies Output E.2 Innovation capabilities built, and approaches adopted to expand policy options at global, regional, national and sub-national levels Output E.3 Public and private financing for the achievement of the SDGs expanded at global, regional, and national levels

Output 1.1 The 2030 Agenda, Paris Agreement and other intergovernmentally-agreed frameworks integrated in national and local development plans, measures to accelerate progress put in place, and budgets and progress assessed using data-driven solutions Output 1.2 Social protection services and systems strengthened across sectors with increased investment Output 1.3 Access to basic services and financial and non-financial assets and services improved to support productive capacities for sustainable livelihoods and jobs to achieve prosperity Output 1.4 Equitable, resilient and sustainable systems for health and pandemic preparedness strengthened to address communicable and non-communicable diseases, including COVID-19, HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and mental health Output 2.1 Open, agile, accountable and future-ready governance systems in place to co-create and deliver solutions to accelerate SDG achievement Output 2.2 Civic space and access to justice expanded, racism and discrimination addressed, and rule of law, human rights and equity strengthened Output 2.3 Responsive governance systems and local governance strengthened for socio economic opportunity, inclusive basic service delivery, community security, and peacebuilding Output 2.4 Democratic institutions and processes strengthened for an inclusive and open public sphere with expanded public engagement Output 3.1 Institutional systems to manage multi-dimensional risks and shocks strengthened at regional, national and sub-national levels Output 3.2 Capacities for conflict prevention and peacebuilding strengthened at regional, national and sub-national levels and across borders Output 3.3 Risk informed and gender-responsive recovery solutions, including stabilization efforts and mine action, implemented at regional, national and sub-national levels Output 3.4 Integrated development solutions implemented to address the drivers of irregular and forced migration, enhance the resilience of migrants, forcibly displaced and host communities, and expand the benefits of human mobility Output 4.1 Natural resources protected and managed to enhance sustainable productivity and livelihoods Output 4.2 Public and private investment mechanisms mobilized for biodiversity, water, oceans, and?climate solutions Output 5.1 Energy gap closed Output 5.2 Transition to renewable energy accelerated capitalizing on technological gains, clean energy innovations and new financing mechanisms to support green recovery Output 6.1 Country-led measures implemented to achieve inclusive economies and to advance economic empowerment of women in all their diversity, including in crisis contexts Output 6.2 Women’s leadership and participation advanced through implementing affirmative measures, strengthening institutions and civil society, and addressing structural barriers, in order to advance gender equality, including in crisis contexts Output 6.3 National capacities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) and address harmful gender social norms strengthened, including in crisis contexts Output E.1 People and institutions equipped with strengthened digital capabilities and opportunities to contribute to and benefit from inclusive digital societies Output E.2 Innovation capabilities built, and approaches adopted to expand policy options at global, regional, national and sub-national levels Output E.3 Public and private financing for the achievement of the SDGs expanded at global, regional, and national levels

Output 1.4 Equitable, resilient and sustainable systems for health and pandemic preparedness strengthened to address communicable and non-communicable diseases, including COVID-19, HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and mental health Output 2.3 Responsive governance systems and local governance strengthened for socio economic opportunity, inclusive basic service delivery, community security, and peacebuilding Output 3.1 Institutional systems to manage multi-dimensional risks and shocks strengthened at regional, national and sub-national levels Output 3.2 Capacities for conflict prevention and peacebuilding strengthened at regional, national and sub-national levels and across borders Output 3.3 Risk informed and gender-responsive recovery solutions, including stabilization efforts and mine action, implemented at regional, national and sub-national levels

Output 1.1 The 2030 Agenda, Paris Agreement and other intergovernmentally-agreed frameworks integrated in national and local development plans, measures to accelerate progress put in place, and budgets and progress assessed using data-driven solutions Output 4.2 Public and private investment mechanisms mobilized for biodiversity, water, oceans, and?climate solutions

Output 1.1 The 2030 Agenda, Paris Agreement and other intergovernmentally-agreed frameworks integrated in national and local development plans, measures to accelerate progress put in place, and budgets and progress assessed using data-driven solutions Output 1.2 Social protection services and systems strengthened across sectors with increased investment Output 1.3 Access to basic services and financial and non-financial assets and services improved to support productive capacities for sustainable livelihoods and jobs to achieve prosperity Output 1.4 Equitable, resilient and sustainable systems for health and pandemic preparedness strengthened to address communicable and non-communicable diseases, including COVID-19, HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and mental health Output 2.1 Open, agile, accountable and future-ready governance systems in place to co-create and deliver solutions to accelerate SDG achievement Output 2.2 Civic space and access to justice expanded, racism and discrimination addressed, and rule of law, human rights and equity strengthened Output 2.3 Responsive governance systems and local governance strengthened for socio economic opportunity, inclusive basic service delivery, community security, and peacebuilding Output 2.4 Democratic institutions and processes strengthened for an inclusive and open public sphere with expanded public engagement Output 3.1 Institutional systems to manage multi-dimensional risks and shocks strengthened at regional, national and sub-national levels Output 3.2 Capacities for conflict prevention and peacebuilding strengthened at regional, national and sub-national levels and across borders Output 3.3 Risk informed and gender-responsive recovery solutions, including stabilization efforts and mine action, implemented at regional, national and sub-national levels Output 3.4 Integrated development solutions implemented to address the drivers of irregular and forced migration, enhance the resilience of migrants, forcibly displaced and host communities, and expand the benefits of human mobility Output 4.1 Natural resources protected and managed to enhance sustainable productivity and livelihoods Output 4.2 Public and private investment mechanisms mobilized for biodiversity, water, oceans, and?climate solutions Output 5.1 Energy gap closed Output 5.2 Transition to renewable energy accelerated capitalizing on technological gains, clean energy innovations and new financing mechanisms to support green recovery Output 6.1 Country-led measures implemented to achieve inclusive economies and to advance economic empowerment of women in all their diversity, including in crisis contexts Output 6.2 Women’s leadership and participation advanced through implementing affirmative measures, strengthening institutions and civil society, and addressing structural barriers, in order to advance gender equality, including in crisis contexts Output 6.3 National capacities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) and address harmful gender social norms strengthened, including in crisis contexts Output E.1 People and institutions equipped with strengthened digital capabilities and opportunities to contribute to and benefit from inclusive digital societies Output E.2 Innovation capabilities built, and approaches adopted to expand policy options at global, regional, national and sub-national levels Output E.3 Public and private financing for the achievement of the SDGs expanded at global, regional, and national levels

Output 1.4.1 Solutions scaled up for sustainable management of natural resources, including sustainable commodities and green and inclusive value chains Output 2.4.1 Gender-responsive legal and regulatory frameworks, policies and institutions strengthened, and solutions adopted, to address conservation, sustainable use and equitable benefit sharing of natural resources, in line with international conventions and national legislation

Output 4.1 Natural resources protected and managed to enhance sustainable productivity and livelihoods

Output 2.1.1 Low emission and climate resilient objectives addressed in national, sub-national and sectoral development plans and policies to promote economic diversification and green growth Output 2.1.2 Capacities developed for progressive expansion of inclusive social protection systems Output 2.2.1 Use of digital technologies and big data enabled for improved public services and other government functions Output 2.2.2 Constitution-making, electoral and parliamentary processes and institutions strengthened to promote inclusion, transparency and accountability Output 2.2.3 Capacities, functions and financing of rule of law and national human rights institutions and systems strengthened to expand access to justice and combat discrimination, with a focus on women and other marginalised groups Output 2.3.1 Data and risk-informed development policies, plans, systems and financing incorporate integrated and gender-responsive solutions to reduce disaster risks, enable climate change adaptation and mitigation, and prevent risk of conflict Output 2.4.1 Gender-responsive legal and regulatory frameworks, policies and institutions strengthened, and solutions adopted, to address conservation, sustainable use and equitable benefit sharing of natural resources, in line with international conventions and national legislation Output 2.5.1 Solutions developed, financed and applied at scale for energy efficiency and transformation to clean energy and zero-carbon development, for poverty eradication and structural transformation Output 2.6.1 Capacities strengthened to raise awareness on and undertake legal, policy and institutional reforms to fight structural barriers to women’s empowerment Output 1.1 The 2030 Agenda, Paris Agreement and other intergovernmentally-agreed frameworks integrated in national and local development plans, measures to accelerate progress put in place, and budgets and progress assessed using data-driven solutions Output 1.2 Social protection services and systems strengthened across sectors with increased investment Output 1.3 Access to basic services and financial and non-financial assets and services improved to support productive capacities for sustainable livelihoods and jobs to achieve prosperity Output 2.1 Open, agile, accountable and future-ready governance systems in place to co-create and deliver solutions to accelerate SDG achievement Output 2.2 Civic space and access to justice expanded, racism and discrimination addressed, and rule of law, human rights and equity strengthened Output 2.4 Democratic institutions and processes strengthened for an inclusive and open public sphere with expanded public engagement Output 3.4 Integrated development solutions implemented to address the drivers of irregular and forced migration, enhance the resilience of migrants, forcibly displaced and host communities, and expand the benefits of human mobility Output 4.1 Natural resources protected and managed to enhance sustainable productivity and livelihoods Output 4.2 Public and private investment mechanisms mobilized for biodiversity, water, oceans, and?climate solutions Output 5.1 Energy gap closed Output 5.2 Transition to renewable energy accelerated capitalizing on technological gains, clean energy innovations and new financing mechanisms to support green recovery Output 6.1 Country-led measures implemented to achieve inclusive economies and to advance economic empowerment of women in all their diversity, including in crisis contexts Output 6.2 Women’s leadership and participation advanced through implementing affirmative measures, strengthening institutions and civil society, and addressing structural barriers, in order to advance gender equality, including in crisis contexts Output 6.3 National capacities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) and address harmful gender social norms strengthened, including in crisis contexts Output E.1 People and institutions equipped with strengthened digital capabilities and opportunities to contribute to and benefit from inclusive digital societies Output E.2 Innovation capabilities built, and approaches adopted to expand policy options at global, regional, national and sub-national levels Output E.3 Public and private financing for the achievement of the SDGs expanded at global, regional, and national levels

From savannahs to forested highlands, the many ecosystems of Tanzania are being increasingly affected by climate change. Wildfires have raged on the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Droughts have depleted water sources and destroyed farmland and floods have hammered communities across the country. These and other impacts of climate change have had a devastating effect on rural communities in the country. In response to these challenges, and with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Tanzania has developed a national strategy that outlines measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The strategy focuses on enhancing climate resilience in key sectors, such as agriculture, water resources, healthcare and infrastructure. It also aims to integrate climate change considerations into national development planning and promote sustainable practices. UNEP continues to assist Tanzania in implementing the strategy, by providing technical support, capacity building, and facilitating access to climate finance and knowledge-sharing platforms to enhance climate resilience and low-carbon development. “UNEP has been instrumental in supporting Tanzania's environmental efforts,” said Selemani Saidi Jafo, the country’s Minister of Industry and Trade and former Minister of State for Union Affairs and the Environment in the Vice President’s Office. “It has helped us develop a new environmental policy and has provided extensive capacity-building initiatives for public servants, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.” Tanzania is among the 58 countries that contributed their full share to UNEP’s Environment Fund in 2023. Tanzania is prioritizing locations most affected by climate challenges, including regions where rising sea levels are flooding homes and agricultural fields with saltwater. In Zanzibar, for example, the government has provided communities with fishing boats, reducing their dependency on forests and promoting alternative livelihoods. Sea walls have also been constructed in seven sites along Tanzania’s coast, such as Pemba and Dar es Salaam, to prevent flooding. Credit: Unsplash/ Chema Photo The country is also focusing on water management, including efforts such as digging wells, building reservoirs, and improving irrigation systems to ensure consistent water access for farming and daily use, especially in areas facing recurring droughts and water scarcity, such as Arusha, Manyara and Longido. Greenhouse farming is further allowing farmers to grow crops under controlled conditions, mitigating the impacts of erratic weather patterns. Through the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund, UNEP has assisted Tanzania in launching numerous climate adaptation projects that support the country’s progress on these issues. To counter pollution, Tanzania banned plastic bags in 2019. Several biodiversity conservation projects supported by UNEP are meanwhile working to protect endangered species, restore habitats and promote the use of natural resources. These projects often involve local communities and aim to enhance livelihoods while conserving biodiversity. “The environment is a major issue globally, and Tanzania is no exception,” said Jafo. Tanzania is one of UNEP’s 2023 full-share funding partners, whose contributions to the Environment Fund, UNEP’s core fund, enable agile, innovative global solutions for climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Learn how to support UNEP to  invest in people and planet.

The Secretariat organized the first assessment of closed projects under the Special Programme in 2022. This assessment aimed to synthesize findings on management structures, coordination, communication and awareness-raising, project components, financing, and specific circumstances. In December 2024, the Special Programme Secretariat launched the second independent assessment. For more information, please download the complete repot of the Second Independent Assessment of the Closed Projects under the Special Programme. Each project factsheet "Independent Assessment of the Closed Projects under the Special Programme Report (December 2024)" will be available soon.

This note describes Carbon Monitor Cities 2.0, a new approach to near-real-time monitoring of city-level greenhouse gas emissions from various sectors without the need for local data collection. With support from the City Climate Finance Gap Fund, the World Bank piloted this approach for 11 cities in three middle-income countries: Egypt, South Africa, and Türkiye. The aim of the pilot was to demonstrate the ability to generate near-real-time data on local greenhouse gas emissions, which could allow a better understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of urban carbon emissions in specific cities. This understanding could inform local climate change mitigation policies and investments, and also potentially be used as part of a monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system for carbon finance in the future. As this approach does not rely on local data collection, it can be scaled up to a large number of cities relatively easily, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries that lack data.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), with the support of the Italian government, today launched the second phase of a successful initiative to digitalize power systems and lower their climate impact. The effort will focus on Africa and widen its scope to back resource-efficiency in agriculture. Phase I of the Demand-Driven Electricity Networks Initiative (3DEN) was launched in 2021 to spread the use of smart technologies that optimize power use, saving energy and money, and preventing greenhouse gas emissions. During this phase, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, in collaboration with UNEP, supported pilot projects in Brazil, Colombia, India and Morocco. These initiatives demonstrated innovative models, delivering tangible benefits to tens of thousands of consumers. Italy has contributed 20 million euros to the 3DEN initiative since 2020. The second phase is looking to fund projects that accelerate the digitalization of agriculture and urban energy networks, starting with seven African nations—Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Tunisia—alongside Brazil. The projects will address infrastructure challenges, improve digital literacy and ensure affordable access to digital tools.  “Action to address global warming and its impacts is not strong enough or fast enough,” said Dechen Tsering, acting interim Director of UNEP’s Climate Division. “Cutting emissions from the power sector is crucial to catch up and protect people and the planet, which is why 3DEN can make a real difference. “Smart technologies allow greater efficiency in power systems and make it easier to integrate renewable sources into grids, which can deliver power to millions more people without increasing emissions,” Tsering added. “UNEP is grateful to Italy for its support and looks forward to delivering a stronger impact in the second phase, including by backing African farmers to grow more with fewer resources.” "With the launch of the second phase of the 3DEN initiative, Italy reaffirms its unwavering commitment to fostering innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions for the energy transition,” said Alessandro Guerri, Director General for European and International Affairs and Sustainable Finance at the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security. “This effort is strengthened by the pivotal collaboration of the International Energy Agency and the United Nations Environment Programme, whose expertise and leadership play a crucial role in shaping global strategies.  “Guided by our Piano Mattei, we prioritize multistakeholder collaboration, digitalization and investment to address the dual challenges of climate change and energy access, particularly for the world’s most vulnerable regions,” Guerri added. “This initiative underscores Italy’s dedication to advancing resilient, clean energy systems while building a sustainable future for all." Why digitalization matters The power sector is the largest single contributor to carbon dioxide emissions at a time when greenhouse gas emissions need to be almost halved by 2030 to get on track for holding global warming to 1.5°C, as targeted by the Paris Agreement on climate change. At the same time, 675 million people lack access to electricity and 2.3 billion still cook and heat with wood, charcoal and other unhealthy fuels. Resolving this issue of inequity, poverty and health will require new power capacity and infrastructure expansion. As electricity demand increases, digitalization can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enabling precise management of energy systems across sectors like agriculture and industry. According to the IEA, digitalization could cut global energy consumption in buildings alone by up to 10 per cent by 2040. Smart grids, real-time monitoring and data analytics also facilitate the integration of renewable energy into grids, helping officials anticipate and respond to climate-related disruptions while increasing system resilience and adaptability. Digital approaches can be applied to other sectors to avoid the waste of natural resources such as water and land, which is why Phase II of the project is expanding beyond purely energy systems.  Digitalization of urban energy systems  Urban energy systems are one focus of phase II, as cities in Africa face unique challenges, including rapid urbanization and population growth, ageing infrastructure and limited access to reliable energy. Some of the potential applications for digitalization in urban energy systems include: Smart-grid integration: By adopting smart grid technologies, cities can reduce power outages, optimize load balancing and better manage electricity distribution. Demand response systems: Real-time communication between utilities and consumers enables peak load reduction and energy conservation. Distributed energy resource management: Integrating renewable sources, like solar and wind, within urban grids can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, supporting a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Funding pilot agriculture projects Phase II will also support the implementation of innovations that build resilience and profitability within the agricultural sector, enabling farmers and agribusinesses to make informed, data-driven decisions and minimize the use of valuable natural resources. Examples of the kind of technologies 3DEN is looking to back are: Precision agriculture. By using sensors and data analytics, farmers can optimize crop yields and reduce resource use, minimizing waste in inputs like water and fertilizer. Smart irrigation: Digital irrigation systems can adjust water levels based on real-time data, helping to conserve water, a crucial resource in many African regions. Digital marketplaces and blockchain: Digital platforms provide farmers with better market access and pricing transparency. Blockchain technology, for instance, can offer traceability, enhancing quality and safety standards across the supply chain. Phase I achievements Projects in Phase I revealed valuable insights and demonstrated benefits in reliability, cost savings and environmental impact. In India, a consortium developed a digital twin for electric distribution grids in partnership with Panitek Power and the Energy and Resources Institute. This tool enhanced operational reliability, improved outage management and reduced costs for 20,000 consumers. In Brazil, the pilot project empowered residents in social housing by using smart digital tools to manage their energy consumption, reducing costs and energy waste. In Morocco, the project supported Les Eaux Minérales d'Oulmès to implement advanced energy monitoring systems, reducing energy consumption by 25 per cent. In Colombia, the Enelflex project engaged over 100,000 users in a demand-response initiative, reducing power interruptions and emissions. About the 3DEN Call for Proposal  Applicants can submit a project for a maximum of US$2,000,000, excluding co-financing. Pilot projects must be implemented within a 24-month timeframe and have a minimum of 30 per cent co-financing. Applications must be submitted electronically by email, ensuring that the submission is done before the deadline on 23rd May 2025. For more information, click here.  About the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

Billionaire wealth has risen three times faster in 2024 than in 2023. Five trillionaires are now expected within a decade. Meanwhile, crises of economy, climate and conflict mean the number of people living in poverty has barely changed since 1990. Most billionaire wealth is taken, not earned- 60% comes from either inheritance, cronyism, corruption or monopoly power. Our deeply unequal world has a long history of colonial domination which has largely benefited the richest people. The poorest, racialized people, women and marginalized groups have been and continue to be systematically exploited at huge human costs. Today’s world remains colonial in many ways. This must be reversed. Reparations must be made to those who were brutally enslaved and colonised. Our modern-day colonial economic system must be made radically more equal to end poverty. The cost should be borne by the richest people who benefit the most.

With the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, the global community made a commitment to end all forms of violence against children by 2030. Although this drew much needed attention to the importance of preventing and responding to violence against children, the availability of comparable data remains limited. The scarcity of comprehensive data concerning the issue is undoubtedly amplifying the problem at hand, as it reinforces the misconception that violence is a peripheral phenomenon. In response, UNICEF has developed the International Classification of Violence against Children (ICVAC) with inputs from over 200 experts from national statistical offices, academia, and international organizations. ICVAC includes operational definitions of all forms of violence against children and covers interpersonal and collective violence, both in times of peace and during internal or international armed conflict. The classification will provide countries with a tool to capture and categorize incidents of violence and consequently assess the extent to which their national definitions and data collection efforts comply with internationally-agreed standards. It will also facilitate the production of comparable data across different countries and contribute to obtaining a clearer understanding of the actual extent of violence, enabling more effective strategies and interventions to combat it. Countries will be able to collaborate more efficiently, exchange best practices, and collectively address the multifaceted challenges associated with violence on a global scale. Download the document Discover more about the ICVAC by taking the quiz! Please note that this quiz is anonymous and no user scores will be logged. Related resources Violent deaths Read more Violent discipline Read more Attitudes and social norms on violence Read more Intimate partner violence Read more Sexual violence Read more Bullying Read more

Nestled in southeastern Europe bordering the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania boasts mountains, rivers, wetlands and coastal lagoons home to numerous endemic species. Recognizing biodiversity as one of its greatest assets, the country sees its landscapes not only as a source of pride but also of economic potential, especially through tourism.  To protect these ecosystems and the income they can bring, Albania is looking toward sustainability. Tourism in Albania has seen growth in recent years. In 2023, Albania ranked fourth globally for the largest percentage increase in international tourist arrivals, with many visitors coming to enjoy the country’s nature and beaches.  As this level of growth in tourism poses risks to nature, land and biodiversity loss, the government established a joint Ministry of Tourism and Environment in 2017. Its goal: to help ensure environmental protection does not diminish alongside the industry’s uptick. “The interests of nature conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable development will always prevail over tourism investments,” said Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi, Minister of Tourism and Environment of Albania. In 2022, the country expanded its protected areas to cover 21.4 per cent of its territory from 17.5 per cent, Kumbaro Furxhi said. This included the establishment of the Albanian Alps National Park. Covering an area of approximately 83,000 hectares with stunning mountain landscapes and valleys, the park aims to better integrate biodiversity conservation with rural development.  The Ministry of Tourism and Environment also promotes responsible tourism that benefits both local communities and the environment. A notable example is the Vjosa Wild River National Park, which in 2023 became the world’s first wild river national park, Kumbaro Furxhi said. The government consulted extensively with local communities before creating the park, according to ministry officials.   “This collaborative approach has become a model we successfully apply across the country,” said Kumbaro Furxhi.  Vjosa Wild River National Park now balances ecological significance with human recreation. Ecotourism activities, such as rafting and fishing, are managed in a way that ensures they align with conservation goals and support local livelihoods while also protecting the region’s cultural traditions and agriculture.   Vjosa is one of the last wild rivers in Europe. Credit: Albanian National Tourism Agency Through partnerships with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Albania has further expanded its protected area network, improving biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. Projects in the Kune-Vaini lagoon ecoystem and North Albanian Mountainous Region have enhanced local capacities and increased awareness of climate change, benefiting both the tourism sector and conservation efforts.  Albania Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi and UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, during Andersen’s official visit to the country. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Albania UNEP also supports Albania in several other key areas including science-policy integration, capacity building, technology transfer and awareness-raising activities. Ecosystem-based adaptation approaches are now being integrated into national development strategies to build capacity and raise awareness about climate change and reduce vulnerability to its impacts.  As part of its efforts to meet European Union (EU) accession goals, Albania is aligning its environmental policies with EU standards, including the integration of the EU’s Birds and Habitats Directives into national legislation. The two directives aim to maintain or restore protected species and habitats. The country is also working to improve enforcement in areas such as waste management and climate action.   Related Story Albania: How a lagoon became a frontline defence against climate change Press release $134-million initiative aims to eliminate mercury-containing medical devices Albania stands out as one of seven countries in the world with its power generation coming entirely from renewable resources, namely hydropower. According to the UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2023, Albania is one of the 36 countries that have sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for over a decade. However, despite its minimal contribution to climate change, Albania faces its adverse effects, which threaten the stability of water resources and hydropower plants that are vulnerable to drought and changing weather patterns. As a result, Albania has sought to diversify its energy sources by investing in solar, wind and geothermal projects.  Albania is among the countries that contribute their full financial share to UNEP’s core fund, the Environment Fund. “By contributing our full share, we affirm our belief in UNEP's crucial role in enhancing planetary resilience through conservation, restoration and the sustainable use of nature,” said Kumbaro Furxhi.  Albania is one of UNEP’s 2023 and 2024 full-share funding partners, whose contributions to the Environment Fund, UNEP’s core fund, enable agile, innovative global solutions for climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Learn how to support UNEP to  invest in people and planet.     

Background SBU has been commissioned by the Government (S2024/01524)) to support the National Board of Health and Welfare in the Agency’s mission to develop a national model for risk assessment in dental care. The risk assessment is essential for creating individualized treatment plan and determining the appropriate frequency for regular examination (revision interval). Risk assessment includes risks of the development or exacerbation of oral diseases. A comprehensive risk assessment during a dental examination considers numerous factors, including caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, and other infections affecting the teeth or surrounding bone. Additionally, changes in the oral mucosa, chewing function, bite physiology, bite development, previous dental treatments, saliva function, dietary habits, oral hygiene, overall oral health, general health, and systemic diseases, including medication use, are carefully evaluated. AIM In a previous project, SBU has identified that the scientific evidence is insufficient to assess whether there is scientific support for prediction models for caries and periodontitis. The project will be based on previous assignments (SBU 2023/1092)) but with expanded research in three new areas. The aim of the project is to investigate the scientific basis for prediction models for caries, periodontitis, bite abnormalities including bite development, bite physiological problems (pain or dysfunction in the chewing muscles and jaw joint) and oral mucosal changes.

The climate change crisis makes Paris Alignment of the transport sector one of the most pressing development challenges. Transport emissions are rising at a higher rate in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries. However, the current climate finance landscape for developing economies may be insufficient to support the challenge. While more climate finance can play an important role in reducing the investment gap, the transport sector has some limitation to generate revenues from users and thus, on the capacity to mobilize finance. First, transport as a sector encompasses multiple infrastructure and transportation services for passengers and freight. Second, even when some pricing is possible, often, it is not done correctly to include externalities and thus, it could lead to over investment (i.e., private cars running on poor roads) and under investment (i.e., sidewalks, bike lines, public transport) - the use of carbon taxes to correct for climate externalities is limited in developed economies. Third, transport services (and their infrastructure) can complement when they provide multimodality, or they can be substitutes when there is competition in the market or redundancy for resilience. Governments need to address the fundamental bankability issues in projects, which are reinforced even more in green transport projects. In conclusion, a paradigm shift is required in the way transport services and the built environment interact to align with the Paris Agreement.

Prepared by the UNEG Data and AI Working Group this reference document discusses the increasing interest and practice of applying AI in UN evaluations and the rationale for developing a more comprehensive guidance protocol for establishing responsible use of AI for evaluation. It also presents five key ethical principles that underscore the responsible integration of AI in UN evaluation processes. This document was approved as a UNEG Reference Document at the UNEG Annual General Meeting 2025.

Overview The evaluation is being commissioned for the following reasons: a. The WFP Somalia Country Office is commissioning the final evaluation of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)/German Development Bank (KfW) funded UNICEF-WFP Joint Programme to assess performance of the programme for the purposes of accountability and programme strengthening. b. The evaluation is expected to provide evidence of what worked in the past and provide programmatic recommendation for joint resilience operation, in particular for Joint Resilient Programme in South-Central Somalia, Phase III (2022-2024). c. Along with looking into the performance of this programme, the evaluation will be used to enhance accountability towards the beneficiaries and KfW. d. To provide evidence-based findings to inform future programming. Report Details Year Published 2025 Type Project/Programme Joint No Partner/s N/A Consultant name Pierre-Yves Malgorn – Team Leader Agency Focal Point Brenda Kambaila Focal Point Email bkambaila@unicef.org Managed by Independent Evaluation Office No Geographic Scope Country Country/ies Somalia