2020 Annual Report

PAGE brings together five United Nations agencies — the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

The Partnership provides integrated and holistic support to countries on eradicating poverty, increasing jobs and social equity, strengthening livelihoods and environmental stewardship and sustaining growth, ensuring coherence and avoiding duplication of efforts.

The PAGE 2020 Annual Report highlights our ongoing work in supporting inclusive, green economy transitions within 20 partner countries. In 2020, this work was highly adaptive, aligning with national priorities to support action plans for green economic recoveries and address the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19.

The rapid onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which abruptly left the world in a near-standstill, came as a shock in 2020. Beyond the grave health implications, livelihoods were challenged, notions about work, wellbeing and our relationship to the planet and each other have all had to be evaluated in a new light. The year posed challenges on many levels. Yet, this halt to business as usual has provided an unprecedented moment to review our standard way of living and choose a better way forward.

Adapting to unique and changing circumstances is part of the core identity of PAGE. No two countries are the same, but the commitment of PAGE partners to achieve inclusive, sustainable development is. This dedication and understanding of changing needs guided PAGE through 2020. We found resilience in the support of one another — across all eight funding partners, five UN agency partners, and 20 partner countries.

PAGE has unveiled its plan for the next decade — outlining a scope that includes a deeper engagement with current partners as well as expansion at the global and country level.

PAGE works as a delivery mechanism for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals aim to end poverty, hunger and inequality, take action on climate change and the environment, improve access to health and education, build strong institutions and partnerships, and more.

PAGE coordinates its work to ensure its in-country and global activities and achievements are aligned with the SDGs.

An inclusive green economy, in its simplest expression, is low carbon, efficient and clean in production. It is also inclusive in consumption and outcomes, based on sharing, circularity, collaboration, solidarity, resilience, opportunity, and interdependence. It is focused on expanding options and choices for national economies, using targeted and appropriate fiscal and social protection policies, and backed up by strong institutions that are specifically geared to safeguarding social and ecological floors. It recognizes that there are many and diverse pathways to environmental sustainability.

Green recovery action links intimately with long-term goals for inclusive, green economy transitions.

The development of economic recovery responses to the COVID-19 crisis is an unprecedented moment to reverse unsustainable practices. By accounting for nature and institutionalizing a sustainability agenda, countries can boost growth and create green and decent jobs  — promoting resilient economies and a resilient planet. 

Reinforcing a long-standing relationship with PAGE, in July 2020 the Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany, announced a contribution of US$ 7 million dedicated to supporting countries in green recovery efforts. Culminating from enhanced dialogue and research on COVID-19 impacts in PAGE countries, and relying on PAGE’s existing best practices, a targeted support mechanism was developed from these funds to bring green economic recovery planning to action within PAGE countries. 

Through wide engagement on the country-level, this additional PAGE support mechanism will be aiding efforts led by each country context. Proposals from 14 countries were approved in 2020, with work beginning in 2021. 

In addition to working in-country, PAGE catalyses dialogue at the global level, to inform decision making and strengthen political will for inclusive green economy transitions.