A world of development experience

ballot boxes arrive
UNDP supports an election every two weeks

UNDP is the United Nations' global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 177 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

World leaders have pledged to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including the overarching goal of cutting poverty in half by 2015. UNDP's network links and coordinates global and national efforts to reach these Goals. Our focus is helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of:

UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

The annual Human Development Report, commissioned by UNDP, focuses the global debate on key development issues, providing new measurement tools, innovative analysis and often controversial policy proposals. The global Report's analytical framework and inclusive approach carry over into regional, national and local Human Development Reports, also supported by UNDP.

In each country office, the UNDP Resident Representative normally also serves as the Resident Coordinator of development activities for the United Nations system as a whole. Through such coordination, UNDP seeks to ensure the most effective use of UN and international aid resources.

UNDP at a Glance

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Since 1966, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been partnering with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of live for everyone. UNDP works in four main areas: poverty reduction and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); democratic governance; crisis prevention and recovery; environment and sustainable development.

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Leadership
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Helen Clark became the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme in 2009, and is the first woman to lead the organization. She is also the Chair of the United Nations Development Group.

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UNDP by the numbers

128 countries receiving UNDP support for democratic governance
60 countries receiving election assistance from UNDP
60% of municipalities in Jordan are now using a UNDP-created property tax collection system

1.2 million people benefited from UNDP temporary job programmes in Haiti
250,000 people in Armenia benefited water, sanitation, microfinance and other UNDP programmes
150,000 people in Liberia received counseling and treatment for HIV & AIDS with UNDP help
$550 million in interest savings for Jamaica after UNDP helped negotiate with creditors
6 million square metres of land cleared in Cambodia with UNDP support

95% of UNDP's partners consider the organization to be a "critical partner" in contributing to the MDGs


103 countries receiving support from UNDP for anti-corruption efforts

UNDP in Action 2010/2011
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UNDP in Action 2010/2011 showcases results. All of UNDP’s policy advice, technical and financial support and advocacy toward strengthening human development are aimed at one end result: real improvements in people’s lives.

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