UNGIS

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations lead agency for the UN development system. Its objective is to build inclusive, sustainable and resilient societies.  It has a presence in 176 countries and territories, and provides expert advice, training and financial support. Special attention is paid to the needs of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and countries emerging from conflict.

UNDP's focus is on working with developing countries to find solutions to the challenges of:

• Democratic governance
• Poverty reduction
• Crisis prevention and recovery
• Environment and energy
• HIV and AIDS.

UNDP coordinates global and national efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) including the overarching goal of halving poverty by 2015. In all its activities, UNDP encourages the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

UNDP administers special funds and programmes, including:

• UN Volunteers (UNV),
• UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)

UNDP began operations in 1966 under GA res. 2029 (XX) (1965), which combined the UN Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance (EPTA) with the Special Fund.