Private Sector

How we are organized

UNDP is the UN's 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 166 countries - working with local partners, governments, civil society organizations, academia, media and private sector - to find 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.

How we work at UNDP HQ, Regional Bureaus / Regional Centers and Country Offices

Country offices are the heart and soul of UNDP, and where most of development activities take place. In addition to working closely with their host governments and representatives of business and civil society, the country offices house most of UNDP human and financial resources, and are vast repositories of development knowledge, expertise and networks. Many Country Offices have dedicated officers responsible for outreach and partnering with private sector. List of country offices

Regional Bureaus and Regional Centres support Country Office activities in five geographically defined regions (see below). They support Country Offices in policy advice in UNDP practice areas, manage regional programmes (conducted in at least three countries) and collect and spread good practice and information throughout the region.

• Africa: http://www.undp.org/africa/
• Asia and the Pacific: http://www.undp.org/asia/
• Arab States:  http://www.undp.org/arabstates/
• Europe and the CIS:   http://europeandcis.undp.org/poverty/psd
• Latin America and the Caribbean: http://www.undp.org/latinamerica/

The Private Sector Division in UNDP Headquarters in New York is responsible for setting UNDP’s strategic direction on policies that relate to private sector development, as well as guidelines and rules under which UNDP can engage with private sector. It places special emphasis on enabling UNDP Country Offices to exchange knowledge about good practices and experiences.  The Private Sector Division also manages special global level initiatives and programmes. For more information about the Private Sector at headquarters please see Contact us at the Private Sector Division at HQ.

It also liaises with other UN agencies that work on private sector in New York, Geneva, Vienna, and elsewhere. The New York headquarters works with the UNDP leadership to set policy for the entire organization, thereby ensuring that lessons from the region are reflected in the global development agenda. For more information about other UN agencies visit un.org