UN system-wide evaluation on key transitions for SDG acceleration

The United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) has committed to an operational shift towards a more systems-oriented approach to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), responding to Member States’ calls for bold, transformative action at the 2023 SDG Summit.

In support of this shift, the UNSDG System‑Wide Evaluation Office (SWEO) is undertaking, in partnership with UNICEF Evaluation Office a system‑wide evaluation of how the UN development system is positioned to support key transitions in areas such as food systems, energy access, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, and climate and environmental action. The evaluation follows a modular design, comprising several standalone components that will be completed and published throughout 2026, feeding into a final strategic report in early 2027.

The evaluation serves a dual purpose of accountability and learning, with an emphasis on synthesizing existing evidence, identifying promising practices, and strengthening the foundations for more comprehensive assessments of UN support to key transitions through 2030. The modular structure includes standalone evaluations of specific initiatives, meta‑evaluation, and evaluation synthesis, together contributing to system‑wide learning and actionable recommendations. Through its collaboration with the UNSDG SWEO, UNICEF will contribute technical expertise, evidence, and insights to strengthen the rigor and usefulness of this system‑wide effort.