Home | United Nations Development Programme Development on the front lines Rethinking international finance for the SDGs Destination 2030 Accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals EXPLORE NOW Featured News Military escalation in Middle East could push more than 30 million people into poverty worldwide, UN Development Programme warns Effects of the crisis reach far beyond directly affected countries, falling hardest on the poor and most vulnerable. Targeted and temporary cash transfers are the preferred policy response for fiscally constrained countries News Statement on conflict in Middle East UNDP stands by the UN Secretary-General's call for de-escalation and dialogue Stories Righting the wrongs Making justice work for women Stories On the bench, for the people Women changing justice Stories Laying the foundation for recovery UNDP addresses the full cycle of debris management Read News Kickstarting a Palestinian owned and led early recovery UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo visits Gaza Stories 1,000 days As the war approaches the 3-year mark, Sudan's people can't wait to rebuild their lives News Multidimensional Poverty Index 2025 Overlapping Hardships: New report reveals nearly 80% of the world's poor live in regions exposed to climate hazards Stories UNDP at 60 Six decades of partnership and pioneering solutions Our mission UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress. What we do UNDP is the United Nations’ lead agency on international development. We support countries and communities as they work to eradicate poverty, implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We advocate for transformative change, and we connect countries to the resources they need to help people build a better life. Human development on a healthy planet UNDP works with countries to expand people’s choices for a future where prosperity and sustainability advance together, leaving no one behind. Through integrated, evidence-driven action aligned with national priorities, UNDP works to accelerate human development while easing pressures on the planet. Prosperity for all UNDP focusses on creating prosperity for all, while maintaining our strong footprint in poverty and inequality programming. This shift aligns with our partners' changing aspirations: moving beyond the goalpost of a minimum poverty line to build dynamic, resilient economies and societies where everyone can thrive. Effective governance UNDP develops accountable, people-centred and rights-based governance. Using systems thinking, innovation and strategic foresight, UNDP helps countries develop more agile, anticipatory governance and policymaking and provide responsive services and economic opportunities, including increased access to services through digitalization and AI. Crisis resilience From day one of a crisis, UNDP focuses on protecting development gains and reducing risk, laying the groundwork for recovery and eventual exit from reliance on humanitarian assistance. UNDP acts as a “bridge-builder” between the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding systems, helping to maintain continuity across response phases and advance long-term development. Healthy planet UNDP is a leading connector at the nexus of planet and development, delivering integrated solutions on climate change, disasters, biodiversity loss, energy, chemicals and waste, while advancing development priorities. Translating global commitments into effective local action, we support countries to assess their options for achieving just and sustainable transitions. Digital and AI transformation UNDP’s broad expertise and country-driven approach allow us to support holistic digital transformation in an integrated, systemic way. UNDP has worked with over 120 countries to leverage digitalization, including helping institutions and people develop the capabilities to access and use technology and data; and supporting countries to implement robust digital public infrastructure. Gender equality Complementing the work of UN Women, UNDP designs its interventions for a deliberate impact on gender equality, seen by partners as one of its most effective areas of work. Through its trusted relationships with governments, UNDP is well placed to help advance women’s empowerment across all dimensions of development. Sustainable finance UNDP works to accelerate development and expand investment opportunities in emerging and developing economies. We help countries mobilize domestic resources and strengthen their institutional frameworks, making financial governance more stable and transparent. We work with development finance institutions and the private sector to scale financing instruments such as blended finance, green bonds and insurance. Overarching goal Strategic objectives Accelerators Trusted partnerships Partnership is at the heart of everything UNDP does. We offer a nearly universal presence across the world. We are determined to mobilize the means to implement the 2030 Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, with a focus on the poorest and most vulnerable. JOIN US Global impact Our work in sustainable development, governance and resilience building. 132 Countries supported from 2022 to 2024 to help people escape multidimensional poverty 100 Million people benefited from stronger policy and market conditions for sustainable energy from 2022 to 2024 816.2 Million registered voters supported to participate in elections from 2022 to 2024 $867 Billion public and private finance aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals Publications Report UNDP Strategic Plan 2026-2029 Supporting countries’ progress towards human development. Read Report Human Development Report 2025 A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of AI Read now Report UNDP Annual Report 2024 UNDP’s work in 2024 is living proof that investing in development makes things possible. By connecting prosperity, climate, energy, nature, resilience, innovation and digitalization, we are reaching–and achieving–our “moonshot” global ambitions, while accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Read Report Signals Spotlight 2024 Looking ahead to the Summit of the Future in September 2024, the question of what kind of world we leave to our descendants concerns us all. The Signals Spotlight identifies some of the areas where our legacy to future generations is in doubt – and asks what that means for development. Read Recent news Blog From first response to fresh starts Acting early to change South Sudan’s trajectory Stories Danger in paradise Clearing WWII ordnance in Solomon Islands Stories The Sudan war at three: The price a nation is paying New report counts the staggering human and economic cost, and what is possible through peace Stories Beyond music The craft of luthiery is a source of knowledge, confidence, and creativity—offering both a sustainable livelihood and a strong sense of empowerment. Blog Using better data to break the cycle of permanent crisis Setting recovery in motion Stories Mine action clearing the path to climate resilience and lasting peace Explosive ordnance can remain embedded in landscapes long after conflicts have ended Stories Insuring the future Increasing financial protection for the most vulnerable Blog Ten years of partnership: Türkiye and UNDP shaping regional solutions for a changing world Since UNDP established its regional functions in Istanbul in 2015, the partnership with Türkiye has expanded well beyond a traditional host country relationship.