United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading UN agency focused on eradicating poverty, reducing inequality and promoting sustainable development. With operations in more than 170 countries and territories, the UNDP coordinates projects and public policies aimed at improving quality of life and strengthening institutional capacity.

History and mission

Established in 1965 through the merger of earlier UN technical assistance programmes, the UNDP's mission covers:

• Poverty eradication: promoting inclusive economic growth and decent jobs.
• Democratic governance: strengthening institutions, citizen participation and the rule of law.
• Resilience and crisis prevention: supporting regions affected by conflict or natural disasters.
• Environmental protection: promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Key areas of work

• Sustainable Development Goals: the UNDP supports global coordination towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in the 2030 Agenda.
• Climate change: funding and technical assistance for the transition to renewable energy and resilient development.
• Inclusive development: promoting gender equality, diversity and social inclusion.
• Innovation and digitalisation: deploying technological solutions for sustainable development.

Financing instruments

The UNDP mobilises resources through trust funds (grant mechanisms for development projects), technical assistance and expert training in strategic areas, and innovation hubs that partner with the private sector and civil society to co-create solutions.

Major achievements

• Expanded access to healthcare and education in developing countries.
• Advanced gender equality policies and women's empowerment.
• Supported robust governance frameworks in emerging democracies.

Current challenges

• Persistent extreme poverty, particularly in regions affected by conflict.
• The climate crisis and the need to support the shift towards low-carbon economies, especially as the SDGs remain off track at the midpoint to 2030.
• Digital inequality: ensuring access to connectivity and digital education.

The UNDP coordinates and finances sustainable development worldwide. Its comprehensive approach, combining poverty reduction, environmental protection and democratic governance, makes it one of the cornerstones of international cooperation. At Manglai we help organisations translate sustainable development goals into measurable carbon and environmental action. Discover how Manglai can help you.