UNDP, the guardian of sustainable development for 60 years

Since 1 December 2025, former Prime Minister and former Minister of Development Cooperation Alexander De Croo has headed the UN Development Programme (UNDP). But what exactly does the UNDP do? And why is it such a crucial partner for Belgium and our FPS?

When the United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945, it soon became clear that it was not enough for the nascent organisation to strive for international peace and security if the economic and social conditions for peace were not promoted at the same time. In other words, if people are weighed down by extreme poverty and inequality, there can be no stable peace either.
 

The UNDP bridges correlated strands

To combat this extreme poverty, the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance was set up in 1949. In 1958, this was joined by the United Nations Special Fund, which provided assistance to low-income countries with economic development.

In 1965, the UN General Assembly decided to merge the two organisations into the United Nations Development Programme. Since then, the UNDP has become the main UN institution working to achieve the (economic and human) development of low-income countries.

And that is perhaps the primary characteristic of the UNDP: unlike specialised thematic UN agencies – such as the WHO for health, the UNEP for environment and the FAO for food and agriculture – the UNDP does not focus on a single sector, but looks at how these domains together contribute to sustainable development.

With its 23,000 employees worldwide, the UNDP supports countries in translating global and national goals into coherent policy and concrete action. Below we give an overview of what this approach looks like in practice.

The UNDP, the institution for all 17 SDGs

For example, the UNDP is typically the UN institution that embodies and promotes all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Even though the UN formulated 17 SDGs to address the wide range of challenges, it was clear from the outset that all 17 were significantly interwoven.

Gender equality (SDG5) promotes the fight against poverty and inequality (SDG1/SDG10), health and well-being (SDG3) and decent work (SDG8). Sustainable cities (SDG11) and responsible consumption and production (SDG12) contribute to a healthier climate (SDG13) and environment (SDG14, SDG15). And so on.

The UNDP does not consider the 17 SDGs in isolation; it sees them holistically. Indeed, they all play a role together in full-fledged sustainable development. In this regard, the UN organisation strives for a world where no country has to choose between either human development or a healthy planet. It must be possible for prosperity and sustainability to progress together, without anyone being left behind.
 

The UNDP assists national governments

To make this a reality, the UNDP works closely with national and local governments in around 170 countries. Together with them, it works to build more effective institutions – for example, through (1) digitising public services, (2) reforms that foster transparency and efficiency, and (3) initiatives that improve citizens' access to justice, social protection and essential services such as clean water, health care and better vocational training.

One concrete example of this approach is the Integrated National Finance Frameworks (INFF). Through these frameworks, the UNDP supports countries in mapping and better aligning all financial flows relevant to their development goals: what goes into the country, what goes out, what do we want to achieve?

This analysis provides the foundation for realistic, coherent development plans that link policy and funding. An expert budget, as it were. Precisely because this approach helps countries take more control of their own resources and decisions, it is internationally recognised and highly valued within the G20.
 

The UNDP is firmly established on the ground, and works towards broad partnerships

But while the UNDP works closely with national governments, it is at the same time firmly established on the ground. It maintains excellent contacts not only with local governments, but also with NGOs, civil society and universities. The UNDP is therefore highly attuned to what is happening on the ground. As such, not only can it work top-down – from governments and donors – but also from the bottom up.

In addition, the UNDP works closely with various other stakeholders including the private sector, international financial institutions (World Bank, multilateral development banks, etc.), charities, the G20 and other UN agencies.
 

The Human Development Report, a beacon for development

The UNDP not only occupies a fairly central position within the UN structure – for example, as head of the UNDP, Alexander De Croo is also No. 3 in the UN system – it also serves as a leading knowledge institution in the area of development. In this capacity, it publishes the annual Human Development Report (HDR).

The HDR brings together the reflections of an independent global network of experts from universities, governments and civil society. For example, the 2020 report – Human Development and the Anthropocene – defended the proposition that human development on the one hand and nature on the other are inseparable.

In 2023-2024, the report explored the best way to deal with the phenomenon of polarisation. And in 2025, it highlighted the potential impact of artificial intelligence. Incidentally, its global launch took place in Brussels, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot.

Through the HDR, the UNDP has a major influence on the global vision for development. It also advises various groups within the G20, for example on innovative financing.
 

A wide range of domains

The UNDP is therefore active in a wide range of domains. We already highlighted the support they provide to national and local governments. This support is very broad. To combat poverty, for example, in 2024 the UNDP provided assistance to the governments of 122 countries to reform their labour market. There was also a focus on a conducive investment environment, better access to finance for small businesses and fostering entrepreneurship.

Energy and climate are also key areas. For example, the UNDP assists countries in working out their climate and biodiversity plans. It also makes major efforts to increase the share of renewable energy. In Ecuador, the UNDP achieved a first: the world's first-ever certified deforestation-free coffee. And did you know that the UNDP is the lead partner of the 2 largest environmental and climate funds: the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund?

A crucial partner for Belgium

The UNDP is and remains a strategic partner for Belgium in addressing global challenges. Minister Prévot recently confirmed our voluntary financial contribution: 30 million euros spread over 4 years, from 2025 to 2028. This sum will go entirely to the UNDP's core budget.

Exactly the kind of funding that makes it possible for the UNDP to protect, accelerate and deepen development. This flexibility allowed the UNDP, for example, to immediately organise cash-for-work programmes for thousands of people following the floods in Pakistan, an intervention that later grew into recovery support for more than 270,000 families.

With the same core budget, the UNDP is a strategic early investor in projects such as climate-resilient agriculture in Kenya, and indigenous community engagement in connection with forest management in Costa Rica. The core funds also make the above-mentioned INFFs possible.

The UNDP manages its core budget itself, but that does not mean it can dispose of it freely, quite the contrary. Its commitments and expenditure are monitored by a Board of Directors, on which countries from all parts of the world are represented. Belgium is also part of the Board and actively oversees how the money is allocated.

That way, we can not only monitor what goes on, but also help guide the UNDP's decisions. In doing so, we ensure that the UNDP's operations are well aligned with key Belgian priorities, such as climate, stability and human rights.
 

Rapid action in crises followed by targeted support

This core funding proves its value especially when acute crises arise, but also in preventing them. Its strong presence on the ground means that the UNDP can invest in early warning systems that provide communities with timely alerts to extreme weather events, thereby limiting damage from climate disasters. And when a crisis does break out, the UNDP can intervene straightaway.

In Gaza, for example, the first actions – such as clearing the dangerous mountains of waste that could have become a source of disease outbreaks – could start thanks to these core resources, for which Belgium is a regular donor. The UNDP negotiated access for trucks and ensured safe disposal of the waste. This was followed by specific project support on a larger scale, with Belgium again providing its support.

This flexibility has also made a difference in Ukraine. Following intense bombing of energy infrastructure, the UNDP immediately provided temporary generators, which can later be converted to biogas. As was the case in Gaza, this initial response was made possible thanks to the core funding, after which Belgium also supported the projects with targeted contributions.
 

Working toward lasting stability

After the acute phase, the UNDP helps countries get back on the path to stability. This includes: ensuring that displaced people can return safely or build new lives elsewhere, as was the case in Colombia, Ethiopia and Iraq.

The UNDP also runs disarmament programmes and makes significant investments in the empowerment of women. This commitment goes beyond basic support: women are involved in local decision-making and peace processes, can access training and employment, and are supported in their crucial role in rebuilding communities.

Research consistently shows that societies become more resilient and stable when women can fully participate – that is precisely why gender equality is a central pillar of the UNDP's work.
 

Focus on fragile contexts

Belgium also continually reiterates the fact that the international community must not lose sight of the fragile and least developed countries. This is another area where the UNDP is strong. In 2024, the UNDP devoted 50% of its spending to fragile contexts.

Even if most partners withdraw – for example, in conflict situations – the UNDP stays on the ground. Indeed, it does everything it can to safeguard its development outcomes and keep the dialogue open. The UNDP is well positioned to oversee the interconnections between development, humanitarian aid and peacebuilding.

Necessary reforms

In short, our former Prime Minister and Development Cooperation Minister will spend the next 4 years at the head of a crucial UN institution. Indeed, he will be No. 3 within the top tier of the UN. But with the challenging geopolitical context and declining budgets for international cooperation, times are difficult.

Through the UN80 initiative, the UN is already working on comprehensive reforms aiming at reducing costs. These efforts include a proposal to merge the UNDP with UNOPS, the UN Office for Project Services, among others. The UNDP itself is endeavouring to be more effective and is looking for alternative sources of funding.

This will clearly be an important task for Alexander De Croo in his brand-new role as Administrator of the UNDP. "The funding is under pressure. But this moment also gives us the chance to renew our work, and to focus on innovation, on delivery, and on real impact for the people we serve", he explained. For example, the private sector is taking on a bigger role, which will clearly continue to grow under Alexander De Croo.

Another priority for Alexander De Croo is likely to be digital and financial innovation. The UNDP has already made a strong commitment in this area. Because despite certain risks, digitisation offers a broad range of very interesting applications. For example, it allows people in African countries – where traditional banks are often not very accessible – to send money and secure loans through smartphones. Farmers can track market prices and weather forecasts and so on.

"I want to be an administrator who is close to the field," De Croo added. "That is where the real difference is made." We wish him every success.