Recent global crises—from the escalating climate emergency to rising conflicts and deepening inequality—have severely tested the resilience of communities and global institutions to address these intertwined challenges through collective action. 

However, history has shown that crises often pave the way for innovation and transformative change. The UN Summit of the Future in September 2024 introduced the Pact for the Future, emphasising the necessity for enhanced multilateral cooperation to overcome contemporary challenges like climate change, digital disruption, and inequality. This collective vision is an important direction for the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) approach, including in Europe and Central Asia, where we are driving efforts for a just, green, and digital transition that places people at the centre of development. 

A Just Green Transition 

The Europe and Central Asia region is committed to greener energy and infrastructure, as well as more sustainable production and consumption systems. UNDP has supported 15 countries in the region to formulate and implement their National Adaptation Plans (NAP) and 14 countries in developing Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategies (LT-LEDS). Demonstration projects on circular economy, biodiversity, renewable energy, energy efficiency, transparency, forestry and agriculture, chemicals, and waste management support policy efforts. These locally driven, systemic, and sustainable initiatives have full ownership by governmental counterparts and communities.

At the heart of UNDP’s efforts is the belief that a green transition must be more than just an environmental shift—it must also drive equitable societal transformation, empowering people to be the agents of change. Our collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in Uzbekistan stands out in this respect: the Integrated Rural Development initiative, seeks to improve the living standards of rural residents through better road and transport infrastructure, engineering and communication networks, energy systems, and more environmentally friendly kindergartens, secondary schools and rural clinics. The project will transform social infrastructure across 157 makhallas (communities) in a climate resilient way, with communities as the driving force of change. 

As these examples illustrate, UNDP across the region serves as a connector between the needs and efforts of those that are most affected, with national policy frameworks and global standards.

Inclusive Digital Transformation 

At UNDP, we recognize the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and we see our and our partners’ role in ensuring that nobody is left behind in this transition.

UNDP partners with countries in Europe and Central Asia on their digital transformation journeys, promoting the use of AI and digital infrastructure to improve and rethink public services, fostering inclusive digital ecosystems, and respond more effectively to crises. 

Our partnership with IsDB on the “NGO Empowerment Programme—Tadamon" invests in digital and alternative finance capabilities of civil society organizations to alleviate poverty across Organization of Islamic Cooperation Member States (OIC MS). In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Türkiye, Innovation for Development’s platform Sosyal Zincir (Social Chain), a social initiative supported through the Tadamon Accelerator, contributed to the financial recovery of businesses in the affected areas by matching local producers with corporate buyers. This initiative has empowered smallholder producers to expand their customer base, secure long-term business opportunities, and stabilize their incomes— providing a vital lifeline for sustaining livelihoods in disaster-affected regions. More broadly, initiatives like Tadamon showcase how technology can enhance efficiency and effectiveness in both crisis and development contexts.

A Vision for the Future 

Looking ahead, UNDP remains steadfast in its commitment to a just, inclusive green transition, and a digital transformation that leaves no one behind. Together with our partners, like the IsDB, we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, ensuring that every community benefits from a more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced future.
 

This article was originally published in the December 2024 issue of the IsDB SDG Digest, themed “Life on Land: Pathways to a Sustainable Future”.