UNDP, IIX join hands to promote gender-inclusive finance

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday at the UNDP Bangladesh office to promote gender-inclusive sustainable finance in Bangladesh.

The partnership will help develop new types of bonds, called “Orange Bonds” that raise funds for women-led businesses and underserved communities.

The aim is to attract more private investment while ensuring transparency, accountability, and clear development results.

Under this collaboration, UNDP and IIX will carry out studies, support policy discussions, engage with key stakeholders, and provide technical support and training to potential bond issuers.

They will also help strengthen monitoring and reporting systems so that investments deliver real and measurable impact.

“Mobilizing capital for gender equality and climate resilience requires strong market infrastructure, informed policy dialogue, and trusted partnerships,” said Stefan Liller, resident representative at UNDP Bangladesh. “This collaboration with IIX allows us to combine UNDP’s policy expertise and country presence with global innovations in sustainable finance.”

IIX, the creator of the Orange Bond Principles, brings experience in gender-focused investing, bond design, independent verification, and impact measurement.

The Orange Bond Initiative, inspired by Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality, aims to direct investment toward projects that advance women’s empowerment and climate action, while building investor confidence through clear standards.

"UNDP has been playing an instrumental role in shaping Bangladesh's impact and sustainable finance ecosystem,” said Prof Durreen Shahnaz, founder and CEO of IIX.

“Our partnership with UNDP reflects our shared commitment to engage with key public, private, civil society, and development sector stakeholders toward strengthening the impact investment and Orange capital markets in the country. The partnership will enable the institutional adoption of inclusive finance, creating pathways for meaningful and measurable change for women and underserved communities to help achieve the country's SDG agenda."

As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC), access to concessional finance and trade benefits is expected to decrease,” said UNDP.

Strengthening capital markets and introducing innovative financial tools will be key to sustaining growth and ensuring development remains inclusive and resilient.

The UNDP-IIX partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a transparent, inclusive, and forward-looking sustainable finance ecosystem that supports Bangladesh’s long-term development goals.