• Ethiopia seeks $5B for UN development plan by 2030.
• $6.5B deal signed, $1.5B already secured for SDGs and resilience.
• Challenges persist despite 8.1% growth and UN support.

Ethiopia aims to mobilize $5 billion to finance its new development cooperation framework with the United Nations by 2030. This funding is part of the 2025-2030 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which the Ethiopian government and the UN officially signed on Friday, June 20, 2025. The total program budget for this framework is $6.5 billion. "This framework agreement reaffirms our enduring partnership with the United Nations," said Finance Minister Semereta Sewasew. To date, $1.5 billion has already been secured.

The strategic framework is designed to align with Ethiopia’s national development priorities. It also aims to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The framework adopts a comprehensive approach to tackle the country’s pressing challenges and bolster resilience to climate change and economic shocks. Key objectives include promoting inclusive and sustainable growth through resilient food systems and improved livelihoods.

Despite a robust economic growth rate of 8.1% in 2023/24, Ethiopia still faces major economic and social hurdles. Its Human Development Index stands at 0.38, and per capita income is just $1,020. Since 2018, a series of crises has affected about 91% of households. These crises include droughts, conflict, locust invasions, COVID-19, and the Tigray war.

The partnership between Ethiopia and the United Nations is built on long-standing strategic cooperation. This cooperation supports sustainable development, peace, and stability in the country. In 2018, the UN allocated $10 million to help improve living conditions for Ethiopia’s most vulnerable populations.