UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Achim Steiner became UNDP Administrator on 19 June 2017. The United Nations General Assembly confirmed his nomination on 19 April 2017, following his nomination by Secretary-General António Guterres.
The Executive Board provides inter-governmental support to and supervision of UNDP activities, ensuring that the organization remains responsive to the evolving needs of programme countries.
Partnership is at the heart of everything UNDP does. We offer a nearly universal presence. Our substantial expertise—both intellectual acumen and practical experience—cuts across diverse development issues and settings.
In order to achieve its mandate, UNDP relies entirely on voluntary contributions from UN Member States, multilateral organizations, private sector and other sources, in the form of unrestricted regular resources (core), and contributions earmarked for a specific theme, programme or project.
Accountability is the obligation to demonstrate that work has been conducted in accordance with agreed rules and standards and report fairly and accurately on performance results vis-à-vis mandated roles and/or plans.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
Human development is about expanding the richness of human life, rather than simply the richness of the economy in which human beings live. It is an approach that is focused on people and their opportunities and choices.
To meet the objectives of the Strategic Plan in line with the 2030 Agenda, UNDP is implementing six cross-cutting approaches to development, known as Signature Solutions. A strong, integrated way of putting our best work, or 'distinctive' skill set, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNDP connects countries with the knowledge, resources and networks they need to achieve development breakthroughs. With deep local knowledge and a wide global network, we work with partners to end poverty and reduce inequality, while protecting the planet and championing human rights.
Our News centre is a one-stop shop for multimedia press coverage and in-depth information on development-related issues. We provide news announcements, press releases and statements by UNDP leadership.
UNDP publications showcase the organization’s thought leadership and expertise and play a key role in fulfilling our mandate to support the realization of the SDGs and encourage global development.
Our stories are visual and current snapshots of our work from around the world, showing how countries and communities are tackling development issues and moving the SDGs from paper to practice.
UNDP’s asset library is available at assets.undp.org, which features a great selection of UNDP images from projects around the world. Through the digital asset portal, you can find more than 5,000 images from every region, searchable by thematic areas, regions, countries, and key words.
UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.
As a public organization entrusted with donor funds and committed to supporting developing economies, UNDP works to improve access to quality assured supplies in a cost effective and reliable way.
Show you care about poverty, gender equality, climate action and more. Check out our products featuring the causes you care about. Great ideas for presents too.
You can contact our team with general questions about UNDP or about more specific topics.
UNDP
Accountability
Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU)
Responding to Concerns Relating to UNDP Social and Environmental Commitments
SECU responds to complaints that UNDP may not be meeting its social and environmental commitments. UNDP established the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) to ensure accountability to individuals and communities.
- Any person or community who believes the environment or their well-being may be affected by a UNDP-supported project or programme may file a complaint.
- A representative, such as a civil society organization, may also file a complaint on behalf of affected communities.
People who file complaints may request that SECU protect their names and identities.
You may submit requests via our telephone, post, email or social media applications. For more information on these options, please see below.
Complaints should be as specific as possible, describing current or potential adverse impacts that have a plausible causal link to a UNDP-supported project/programme and, if possible, the UNDP social and environmental standards/commitments that are believed to have been violated.
If you choose to email or mail your complaint, please note that there are no strict format or language requirements. It is helpful if the complaint includes the following information:
Name, address, telephone number, and other contact information.
Whether the Complainant(s) wish to keep their identity confidential, and if so, why.
Name, location, and nature of the UNDP project or programme (if known).
How the Complainants believe they have been, or are likely to be, adversely affected by the UNDP-supported project or programme.
If a third party, such as a civil society organization, is filing a complaint on behalf of an affected individual or community, the complaint should include evidence the third party is working on behalf of the individual or community.
Although helpful, it is not necessary to cite to specific UNDP standards or policies (such as the UNDP's Social and Environmental Standards).
For assistance in submitting a request via email or mail, please download this guidance form.