In Jamaica, as in over 170 other countries and territories worldwide, the  overarching objective of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the promotion of sustainable human development. This focuses development on enhancing people's capabilities, of both the current and future generations, to lead the kind of lives that they find worthwhile. There are several crucial dimensions to sustainable human development that can serve as guiding principles to evaluate UNDP's assistance in the areas of empowerment, equity and sustainability. Based on the importance of the above dimensions of sustainable human development,  UNDP Jamaica concentrates its assistance in the major areas  of: 

• Poverty Reduction

• Governance; 

• Environment; 

• ICT for Development 

UNDP manages an annual, global budget of some US$2.4 billion, representing both core, or unrestricted, and non-core contributions and pledges. Non-core resources are earmarked to specific programmes such as the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the United Nations Volunteers, the United Nations Development Fund for Women and the Office to Combat Desertification and Drought. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of  UNDP’s core programme resources go to the 66 low-income countries that are home to 90% of the world’s poorest people. Resource allocation reflects  UNDP programme priorities.  In Jamaica, 40% of the funds are used in poverty eradication and sustainable livelihood projects; 49% promote good governance; while 11% are allocated to programmes that improve the country’s ability to protect and regenerate the environment. Wherever relevant, UNDP programmes integrate gender analysis and environmental concerns. 
In Jamaica, the organisation is divided into a Directorate, responsible for  policy, management, resource mobilisation and coordination of the United Nations System in Jamaica; a Programme Unit that carries out programme development and monitoring as well as information systems and management; and an Operations Unit which provides administrative and financial services.  UNDP Jamaica is responsible for the country programmes of Bahamas, Cayman Islands,  and Turks and Caicos Islands. However, the Country Cooperation Programmes for these Islands are still at preparation stage.