United Nations - Philippines partnership strengthened in 2025 through delivering impact for sustainable development

United Nations Philippines expanded progress on its three key priority areas of work in the country—human development, inclusive economic growth, and environmental sustainability—through a total investment of over $189 million in projects and policy assistance in 2025.

Marking the second year of implementation of the 2024–2028 Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the United Nations outlined the contributions made toward these development goals in the 2025 Annual Results Report, published on 10 April. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the work of 25 United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in the Philippines towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also provides information on partnerships, joint initiatives, and resource requirements needed to support the Philippines as it transitions toward upper middle-income status.

“The year 2025 was a challenging one for multilateralism, but the deeply rooted trust between the United Nations and its national counterparts allowed us to remain focused on delivery of its mandate,” said United Nations Philippines Resident Coordinator Arnaud Peral. “The uniquely diverse work and results achieved jointly by the United Nations, the Government and other partners in 2025 are a testament to the exceptional 80‑year bond between the Philippines and the United Nations.”

The largest share of United Nations support—$125.3 million—went towards initiatives on human development, which includes healthcare, nutrition, education, housing, gender equality, governance, and peacebuilding.

Continued efforts by the United Nations and partners expanded the previous year’s gains in child and maternal health. Over 800,000 children were immunized across 58 provinces and a National Immunization Strategy for 2026-2030 was adopted to sustain progress towards ensuring every child is vaccinated. In maternal health, the endorsement of the National Acceleration Plan for Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality marked a major milestone, providing a unified national framework for reducing maternal deaths and strengthening maternal and newborn health services.

Programmes for early childhood education and alternative and flexible learning have helped the Philippines progress towards more inclusive and resilient education systems. United Nations support to the development of a Special Needs Education roadmap has helped 2.4 million children stay in school.

UN-supported policies and reforms on social and child protection, including the Framework for Integrated Delivery of Social Protection and the draft Adaptive and Shock Responsive Social Protection Action Plan, are helping build resilience against economic and climate shocks.

Strengthening governance and accountability systems has also been key to boosting government efficiency and adaptability. In providing technical assistance to the Department of Economy, Planning and Development for the issuance of the Revised National Evaluation Policy Framework, the United Nations is helping institutionalize critical monitoring and evaluation systems across government.

2025 also marked a momentum for peacebuilding in the Philippines with milestones such as the establishment of the Center of Excellence on Women, Peace and Security in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as well as the passage of the Bangsamoro Labor and Employment Code, and the inclusion of conflict prevention and peacebuilding activities in the annuals plans of six BARMM ministries—all supported by the work of the United Nations.

Climate action and initiatives on environmental sustainability and disaster resilience make up the second largest investment area, totalling $44.6 million.

The Declaration of a State of Imminent Disaster Act, also known as the anticipatory action law—the first of its kind in the world—was passed in September, introducing early warning systems and pre-disaster interventions, shifting national disaster risk management from reactive to proactive action. The United Nations provided policy, advocacy and multi-stakeholder engagement support for this pioneering legislation.

Another major achievement in this area is the expansion of circular economy programming, with UN agencies supporting 20 local government units—double the number of the previous year—in developing green policies to reduce plastic and organic waste.  

Lastly, a total of $19.1 million went towards the United Nations’ work towards an inclusive economy. Joint programming by the United Nations focused on support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which make up 99.5% of Philippine businesses. This included access to business and investment opportunities, investments in digitalisation, capacity building on artificial intelligence tools, and establishing market linkages to boost MSMEs’ international reach.

The United Nations also helped strengthen efforts on decent work and social protection through its role in developing the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. Through the initiative, the Philippines developed a social protection policy framework and financing strategy for the construction and transport sectors, which are expected to be approved in 2026.

In 2026, the United Nations in the Philippines will continue to enhance its programming and strategies to align with the country’s sustainable development priorities and acceleration of action towards SDGs. There will be continued emphasis on supporting government-led multi-sectoral interventions, particularly in the BARMM amid its political transition, in line with the unwavering commitment to human rights and leaving no one behind.

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