Ireland is strengthening its position in the global sustainability landscape with the launch of a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project Office for Sustainable Finance in Dublin. Backed by a €7.5 million investment from the Irish Government over three years (2025–2027), the office is set to play a pivotal role in aligning financial systems with climate, nature, and development goals.

Announced at the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., this office is the first permanent UNDP presence in Ireland and marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to shape the future of sustainable finance. It will act as a key operational platform for the UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub, providing policy guidance, financial tools, and technical support to more than 40 countries.

A delivery platform for global financial transformation

The new Dublin-based Project Office will serve as the headquarters for two major global initiatives: the Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S) and the Sustainable Insurance Forum (SIF). These initiatives are central to driving sustainability across the financial services sector, involving regulators, insurers, asset managers, and central banks to promote responsible and climate-aligned investment.

By hosting these secretariats, the Dublin office will become a focal point for global collaboration, bringing together expertise and innovation to design practical financial solutions that support the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Ireland’s Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, highlighted the strategic significance of this move:

“Aligning public and private finance to deliver real impact is essential. I’m confident that Dublin can become a vital hub for innovation in this space—connecting financial expertise with the world’s sustainability priorities.”

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Transforming finance for people and planet

The UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub works to ensure that capital markets can effectively address pressing environmental and social challenges. The Dublin office will focus on delivering innovative financial tools that include nature-based finance, transition instruments, gender-responsive investment, and digital solutions for inclusive growth.

These efforts will not only provide direct support to national governments but also inform global conversations at forums such as the G20, APEC, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), and the UN climate conferences (COP).

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner underlined the potential of finance as a change agent:

“Finance is one of the most powerful tools we have to tackle climate change, nature loss, and inequality. With Ireland’s leadership and vision, UNDP is creating a global platform that connects financial centres, regulators, and markets with the needs of people and planet.”

Deepening Ireland’s role in global finance

The establishment of this new office builds on Ireland’s growing commitment to sustainability. With a robust financial services sector and a clear national roadmap—Ireland for Finance—the country is well positioned to drive international innovation in climate finance and ESG investing.

The Project Office will not only enhance Ireland’s reputation as a sustainable finance leader but also foster deeper collaboration between governments, investors, and multilateral institutions. It will provide a space where global strategies can be transformed into actionable tools, and where finance can be made more inclusive, transparent, and aligned with real-world impacts.

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