In 2025, the UN in Zambia will build on the momentum gained over the past year, expanding on successful initiatives and deepening its impact through strategic, integrated programming. Joint programme funding—both ongoing and newly secured—will play a vital role in scaling up catalytic, sustainable interventions that attract additional resources. In light of a constrained global funding environment, the UN will strengthen its collaborative approach, ensuring that agencies with complementary mandates come together to design and deliver cohesive programmes. This way, each agency’s unique expertise can be harnessed more effectively to deliver greater benefits for communities and the nation at large. For instance, in food systems, multiple agencies will coordinate more closely on integrated approaches to increase reach, relevance, and results.

Looking ahead to Zambia’s national elections in 2026, the UN’s governance-related work in 2025 will emphasize support for the implementation of recommendations from the 2023 Needs Assessment Mission. The next phase of the Democracy Strengthening in Zambia Project will further enhance electoral processes, while a new national peace architecture initiative will help establish long-term frameworks for peace and conflict prevention. Human rights protection will continue to be a cross-cutting priority.

Operationally, the UN will maintain a strong focus on improving coherence and cost-efficiency through the continued implementation of the UN Country Team’s Business Operations Strategy (BOS). These efforts will help to reduce duplication, maximize resources, and further align the UN’s internal systems to deliver more impactful and sustainable results for the people in Zambia.