LocationsFrom policy to practice, UNDP Bangladesh deepens its commitment to ethical standards
UNDP Bangladesh Reinforces its Commitment to Ethics to Build Trust Through Integrity
April 24, 2026
UNDP Bangladesh colleagues join Alessandro Maggi, Director of UNDP’s Ethics Office, following a series of ethics sessions at the country office on 20–21 April 2026, reinforcing a shared commitment to integrity, accountability and a culture of ethical conduct.
©UNDP Bangladesh
For an organization like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), public trust is fundamental. It shapes the credibility of its work, strengthens partnerships with governments and communities, and ensures that development efforts are delivered with transparency, accountability, and lasting impact.
Against this backdrop, UNDP Bangladesh Country Office hosted a series of sessions on ethics on 20-21 April 2026, led by Alessandro Maggi, Director of the Ethics Office at UNDP. Bringing a global perspective to the local context, the sessions created space for reflection, dialogue, and renewed commitment to the values that guide the organization’s work.
At its core, ethics within UNDP is about ensuring that every action, whether in programme delivery, partnerships, or internal operations, is guided by integrity, fairness, and transparency. The UNDP Ethics Office plays a central role in upholding these standards across more than 170 countries and territories. It provides confidential advice to personnel, administers the protection against retaliation policy, manages the financial disclosure programme, and promotes a culture where ethical concerns can be raised without fear.
Alessandro Maggi, Director of UNDP’s Ethics Office, leads an interactive session at UNDP Bangladesh, engaging staff on integrity, accountability and ethical decision-making in practice.
©UNDP Bangladesh
“The core purpose of UNDP’s Ethics Office is to foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct, strengthening trust in, and the credibility of UNDP both internally and externally,” said Alessandro Maggi.
The sessions in Bangladesh translated these global frameworks into practical understanding. Staff engaged in discussions on conflicts of interest, standards of conduct, and the responsibility to speak up. Real-world scenarios helped unpack complex ethical dilemmas, reinforcing that ethical decision-making is rarely theoretical, it is often nuanced, requiring judgment, courage, and clarity.
Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh, addresses staff during an ethics awareness session, highlighting the importance of fostering a culture of integrity, accountability and open dialogue.
©UNDP Bangladesh
“At UNDP Bangladesh, we are committed to fostering a healthy workplace environment where concerns are encouraged, openly addressed, and acted upon, ” said Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh.
For UNDP Bangladesh, embedding ethics is closely linked to its broader mission. Whether supporting inclusive governance, advancing climate resilience, or expanding access to justice, the organization’s work affects millions of lives. Ensuring that this work is carried out with transparency and accountability is essential, not only to meet institutional standards but to uphold the dignity and rights of the people it serves.
The engagement with the Ethics Office underscores that ethics is not a one-time training, but a continuous process, requiring constant reinforcement, leadership commitment, and an organizational culture that values integrity as much as results.
A culture of integrity is built when people feel safe to speak up and act with accountability.
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