News Centre

Forum on Pathways of Democratic Transitions

Opening Statement of UNDP Administrator Helen Clark On the occasion of the “Forum on Pathways of Democratic Transitions” 5 June 2011 Cairo. There can be no doubt that what happens in Egypt and in Tunisia will continue to be observed closely by others. The same holds true for reforms in other countries in the region.

Youth can be a formidable force for development in the new Egypt

The challenges which Egypt currently faces are not confined to achieving a smooth transition through building representative and responsive political institutions. Charting a new course for social and economic development which reduces poverty, creates decent work – including for young people, and achieves equity is also high on the agenda.

Opportunities for Economic and Political Inclusion in the Arab Spring

In recent months, millions of people came onto the streets of a number of Arab States demanding change. Underlying these events are economic exclusion which has denied decent work and opportunity for many, and political exclusion which has denied a broad right to participate in the decision-making processes which shape nations' futures.

UNDP Administrator: Potentials of the Private Sector for Achievement of the MDGs

Low-income countries empowered to navigate climate finance maze

A new guidebook, "Catalysing Climate Finance", advises decision makers in developing countries how to tap into growing environmental finance markets.

Clark: Follow-up Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals in Tokyo, Japan

Haiti and Dominican Republic launch effort to create green border

Haiti and the Dominican Republic kicked off a joint project last month to increase vegetation cover and improve living conditions for people on both sides of the countries’ shared border.

UNDP-GEF joint project helps Cambodia save forests

UNDP and Global Environment Facility on Monday launched a new project worth over US$3.8 million to help Cambodia preserve its forests to benefit the rural poor as well as to contribute to reducing emission of green house gases into atmosphere.

UNDP supports female leaders in Afghan police force

Twenty-one police officers wearing headscarves, or hijab, sit in a classroom at the Kabul Police Academy typing into computers, creating organizational diagrams and entering data.

Clark: Joint Briefing to Member States on the Western Sahel

Rebeca Grynspan: Remarks on green growth and gender economic empowerment at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting

Survey points to need to fill knowledge gap among Cambodians about climate change

A vast majority of Cambodians know that the changing weather is affecting their livelihood but they do not quite understand why and how it is happening.

Germany provides funds to strengthen the justice system in Maldives

The Federal Republic of Germany will provide 6 million rufiyaa (€ 330579) over the next two years to expand the Access to Justice Project in Maldives.

New roads pave way to improved livelihoods in rural Lao PDR

These days Timchai can make it to the market to sell her produce regardless of the weather, thanks to a new village road.

UNDP chief concludes tour of Central Asia

UNDP Administrator Helen Clark concluded a three day visit to Uzbekistan today. She met yesterday with Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov, who expressed his support for the role played by UNDP in Uzbekistan’s development.

Tajikistan: Clean energy project lights up rural lives

A hydro power plant provides a regular supply of clean energy to a rural community south of the capital of Tajikistan.

UNDP chief concludes tour of Central Asia

UNDP Administrator Helen Clark concluded a three day visit to Uzbekistan today. She met yesterday with Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov, who expressed his support for the role played by UNDP in Uzbekistan’s development.

Lebanon kick off solar powered schools

Teachers and students are to benefit from a constant supply of electricity to their offices and classrooms following installation of solar panels.

Water access boosts crop production and incomes in Sudan's rural east

More than 1,000 farmers living in northeast Sudan now have increased harvests and income due to water irrigation equipment provided through an initiative managed by UNDP.

UN launches global partnership to put indigenous rights into action

Four United Nations agencies today launched the first global initiative to put into action the rights enshrined in an international declaration to protect the more than 370 million indigenous peoples who live in some 90 countries around the world.