MUFG EMEA, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (“UNCDF") and the United Nations Development Programme (“UNDP") today sign a Statement of Intent (SoI) to support climate adaptation and mitigation projects in emerging markets.

This collaboration will leverage UNCDF's expertise in catalytic financing (strategic use of public finance to mobilise additional private finance), and MUFG's expertise in sustainable finance. This SoI aims to increase access to concessional and blended finance, with a strong focus on climate adaptation projects, especially in Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States and Fragile Countries.

To enable this, UNCDF will deploy de-risking capital, support project pipeline development and conduct due diligence at a local country level while MUFG EMEA will leverage their blended finance expertise and broad investor base to unlock larger streams of investment. The SoI aims to promote sustainable development and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Executive Secretary of United Nations Capital Development Fund, said:

"Blended finance is essential to crowd in private capital for climate action and green jobs, particularly where public resources alone fall short. With our unique capital mandate, UNCDF de-risks investments to unlock both public and private finance — amplifying the development impact of partners like UNDP and MUFG. Together, we are accelerating climate adaptation and mitigation in underserved economies and advancing sustainable economic growth"

Christopher Marks, Head of Growth Markets, Innovative Finance and Portfolio Solutions at MUFG EMEA, added:

"Climate finance remains heavily concentrated in developed countries, while emerging and frontier economies —despite being the most vulnerable to climate change — receive disproportionately low support. Collaborating through this SoI we hope to be able to deploy finances at a local level and, leveraging MUFG's expertise in blended finance, bring together the public and private backing required to advance climate adaptation and mitigation projects where they are needed most."

Francine Pickup, Deputy Director of UNDP's Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, said:

"Climate finance is central to achieving inclusive, sustainable development. Many developing countries have made bold climate commitments, yet continue to face systemic barriers in accessing the financing needed to deliver on them. This new partnership strengthens our ability to channel investment where it's needed most, especially in Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, and fragile contexts. Together, we're turning climate ambition into action".