This short publication provides a snapshot of governance challenges that UNDP’s country partners have faced, the ways that UNDP is responding while navigating the specific issues that COVID-19 has brought, and the impact of UNDP’s work across the five regions where it operates.  Illustrated through 15 country case studies, UNDP is working to support countries to address a diversity of governance challenges, including by supporting governments to address critical governance bottlenecks that constrain the delivery of essential services; supporting parliaments and other oversight institutions to operate remotely, as well as advising Election Management Bodies and other public authorities on modifications to electoral processes, where necessary; and promoting the dissemination of accurate information in order to enhance the pandemic response, and foster public debate, accountability and trust in governance systems.