In 2024, the UN in Lesotho strengthened democratic institutions, advanced human rights, and expanded citizen participation. Key achievements include support to the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, which strengthens accountability institutions; enhanced capacity of Parliament and the Independent Electoral Commission to improve oversight and electoral processes; and national roll-out of anti-corruption outreach.

Digital transformation accelerated public access to services through e-governance platforms, including community health and policing apps, establishment of e-service centres in all districts, and registration of 700+ businesses on the MSME registry platform.

Human rights protection advanced through submission of long-outstanding treaty reports (including CEDAW), steps toward establishing a national human rights institution, and strengthened reporting mechanisms. Youth and communities engaged more actively through the Youth Power Hub, budget consultations in all 10 districts, and greater transparency in public finance, reflected in an improved Open Budget Index score (35 in 2024, up from 22 in 2021).

GBV prevention and response improved through parliamentary training, revision of children’s protection laws, support to a multipurpose GBV centre, nationwide advocacy during 16 Days, and strengthened PSEA systems across the public service.

The UN scaled up emergency response and resilience-building during the El Niño-induced drought while laying foundations for long-term food security and environmental stewardship.

Key results include support to 26,400 farming households with quality inputs; protection of 201,000 livestock through vaccinations; food assistance for 13,000 families; anticipatory drought support for 52,000 vulnerable people; nutrition support reaching 27,561 children; and cash transfers plus climate-resilient seeds for 20,340 households.

Environmental sustainability advanced through US$3.3 million mobilized for biodiversity conservation and US$4.3 million for renewable energy investment. Community-led climate adaptation took root through rangeland management training for herders, participatory village planning, and climate-smart infrastructure (e.g., water harvesting).

National leadership on climate action strengthened with finalization of the second Nationally Determined Contribution, development of the Migration, Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and active global engagement to unlock climate finance.

Health, education and livelihoods saw major gains. The health system was strengthened through leadership training for senior managers, scale-up of integrated services to cover 70% of the population, expanded emergency obstetric care, and new midwifery training hubs and simulation centres. Community health delivery improved with training of 4,801 village health workers and a national master-list system covering all districts.

The HIV response advanced with point-of-care testing, expansion of PrEP, integration of advanced HIV care into primary health, progress toward eliminating vertical transmission, and sustained financing through partnerships with PEPFAR and the Global Fund.

In education and youth empowerment, 423,000 learners were reached with HIV/SRHR education; 7,000+ learners received GBV-prevention training; 290 peer educators were trained; and out-of-school youth gained life skills in five districts. Participation in STEAM tripled (1,944 applicants), and 200 youth innovators completed business bootcamps. 5,400 schoolgirls received sanitary packs, supporting retention and dignity.

Economic inclusion expanded via diaspora engagement (remittances at 23.7% of GDP), support to youth entrepreneurship, and private-sector partnerships. The SDG Investor Map launched to crowd in investment, and Vision Lesotho 2050 development began alongside validation of the extended NSDP II.