System-Wide Plan of Action for the 3rd UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018–2027)

The plan of action for the Third Decade focuses on issues on which strengthened operational and policy integration by the United Nations system could yield improved support to Member States priorities and capacity to pursue institutional and policy coherence. In that regard, a focus is proposed on promoting collaboration across the United Nations system on policy issues where an integrated approach has most salience and that addresses key issues in transforming development processes. Experience with existing system-wide plans of action can inform the identification of key objectives and core principles for collaborative inter-agency action.

The plan of action is founded on 10 basic principles that will guide the work of the United Nations system collectively and the individual contributions of system entities:

  1. Poverty is multi-dimensional in the forms it takes and its underlying causes, and new forms are emerging;
  2. Integrated economic, social and environmental policies are needed nationally and internationally;
  3. Sustained and inclusive economic growth that narrows inequalities is necessary and entails structural transformation to generate full and productive employment and decent work for all;
  4. Respect for internationally recognized human rights is an essential foundation for action;
  5. Gender mainstreaming is vital for policy design and implementation;
  6. Discrimination, marginalization and exclusion are major causes of poverty and the barriers to the full participation in society and the economy of poor people
    and people in vulnerable situations, and must be removed;
  7. Inclusion and empowerment of those left behind is a priority, targeting those furthest behind;
  8. The role of the United Nations is to support nationally owned strategies and strengthen capacities for the realization of internationally agreed development
    goals and targets, including the Sustainable Development Goals, based on high quality research and the promotion of good governance, human rights and the rule of
    law;
  9. The United Nations development system organizations will bring together their special expertise and policy portfolios to focus on integrated system-wide action that enhances efficiency, coherence, impact and adaptability to emerging trends;
  10. Inclusive and strategic partnerships based on these principles will pull together resources and deliver action globally, regionally, nationally and locally.

Download the UN System-wide Plan of Action (SWAP) for the Third UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018-2027) on "Accelerating Global Actions for a World Without Poverty".


Implementation Progress by Year

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UNCTAD UNDP UNEP UN Habitat
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UNOSSC ECA