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.
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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.
We are on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, supporting their own solutions to development challenges and developing national and local capacities that will help them achieve human development and the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated on three main focus areas:
UNDP is central to the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), a network that spans 165 countries and unites the 40 UN funds, programmes, specialized agencies and other bodies working to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General and with UNDP Administrator as Vice-Chair, the UNSDG provides strategic direction and oversight to ensure UNDS entities deliver coherent, effective and efficient support to countries in their pursuit of sustainable development.
UNDP has a critical advisory role in driving the sustainable development agenda, based on Member States’ priorities and country context and plays an important role in fostering coordination within the UN system at country level, including by providing key system-wide services and country support platforms to support the implementation of the SDGs. UNDP participates in 66 “Delivering as One” initiatives which, together with the Standard Operating Procedures, enable UN Country Teams to operate more coherently, effectively and efficiently, minimizing transaction costs, reducing duplication and scaling up common approaches and joint initiatives.
UNDP also reinforces joint action on development in such forums as the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations.
UNDP has its headquarters in New York City, but works primarily through its offices in about 170 countries and territories. Most of these offices have websites, a list of UNDP countries and territories' websites is available on our home page.
UNDP Headquarters One United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017, USA Tel: (212) 906-5000 Fax: (212) 906-5364
UNDP Office of Communications Tel: 1 (212) 906 5382
UNDP also has Representation Offices and Regional Centres at the following locations:
UNDP is based on the merging of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, created in 1949, and the United Nations Special Fund, established in 1958. UNDP, as we know it now, was established in 1965 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. A comprehensive book on the history of UNDP entitled The United Nations Development Programme, A better way? was published in 2006 and can be purchased at the UN Bookshop or directly from the publisher.
No. UNDP's mandate does not permit us to provide financial assistance to individuals (including students seeking scholarships for their studies), companies or private groups. We work in collaboration with governments on development programmes and projects. To learn more about UNDP’s work with civil society organizations, the private sector, foundations and key donors and partners, please visit our Partners web page. If you wish to learn more about UNDP's ongoing projects and programmes in your country, please contact your local Country Office.
Current procurement notices for vendors are available on the Procurement Notices website. General information on UNDP’s procurement processes, such as the solicitation procedures for the procurement of goods and services, FAQs, statistics and more is available on the UNDP Procurement website.
You can access most of UNDP’s publications on our Publications website. This site includes flagship and most recent publications. If you need country-specific documentation, we suggest you visit the relevant UNDP Country Office website.
UNDP In Focus annual reports summarize UNDP’s main activities, showcase success stories on the ground and contain information on where our money comes from and how we spend it. The website of UNDP’s main governing body, the Executive Board, contains major policy, financial, budgetary and administrative-related documents.
UNDP has a long-standing commitment to accountability and transparency, with UNDP Country Offices publishing financial, procurement and programme information on their respective websites each year. UNDP has developed and published an Information Disclosure Policy that makes clear our commitment to making information about our programmes and operations available to the public. Moreover, as part of UNDP’s strategy to strengthen the accountability framework for the Organization and to provide opportunities for bringing to light any misconduct, wrongdoing by any individuals working for or doing business with UNDP, the Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) has established an Investigations Hotline and other measures to ensure that persons wishing to report fraud may do so, free of charge, using a number of different options.
UNDP takes all reports of alleged wrongdoing seriously. Anyone with information regarding fraud against UNDP programmes or involving UNDP staff is strongly encouraged to report this information through the Investigation Hotline.You can file a complaint against a UNDP staff member or about a UNDP project, programme or operation by using the online referral form or by calling the UNDP Investigation Hotmail at 770-776-5678 worldwide or 877-557-8685 in the USA.
The annual Human Development Report is UNDP’s flagship independent publication. Its editorial autonomy is guaranteed by a special resolution of the General Assembly (A/RES/57/264), which recognizes the Human Development Report as “an independent intellectual exercise” and “an important tool for raising awareness about human development around the world". The reports focus the global debate on key development issues, providing new measurement tools, innovative analysis and often controversial policy proposals. They are guided by the belief that development is ultimately a process of enlarging people’s choices, not just raising national incomes. The independent teams of experts who write the Reports draw on a worldwide network of leaders from academia, government and civil society who contribute data, ideas, and best practices. For further information and to access global, regional or national human development reports online please visit the HDR Web site.
All materials found on UNDP websites are copyrighted to UNDP.
Content found on the website or in UNDP publications (or parts thereof) may be reproduced, as long as due credit is given to the source. For online references, please link to the original source on undp.org.
For copyrights permissions concerning Human Development Reports (HDRs): UNDP owns the copyright to all materials in the HDRs but the publishers manage them for UNDP. For further advice please contact the Outreach and Advocacy Unit of the HDR Office.
We are not authorized to provide e-mail addresses of former or present staff members. You may however call +1 (212) 906-5000 to obtain UN/UNDP staff directory assistance.
You can make a donation through UNDP's donation page at Every.org. After your donation payment is confirmed, you will immediately get a U.S. tax-deductible receipt emailed to you from Every.org.
UNDP is aware of fictitious vacancy announcements that are being circulated through the internet, the purpose of which is to get people to register for a training and send in a fee. Since logos, emblems, names and addresses can be easily copied or reproduced, you are advised to take particular care in applying for vacancies, including undertaking all appropriate measures to protect against the unauthorized use of any personal information you may have provided as a result of the scam. Victims of scams may also wish to report them to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action. Click here to learn more about UNDP policy toward scam.
All current UNDP vacancies and online application forms are available on our Jobs website. This site also includes links to the Leadership Development Programme, Junior Professional Officers' Programme, UN Volunteers, consultancies and internships. Learn more about UNDP Jobs' offers.
For information on Internships at UNDP, please visit our Internships website. The internship application process is decentralized, which means that you have to send your internship application directly to the Country Office or the headquarters' unit that you are interested in applying to.
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