UNDP 60: A Story of Human Progress

Six decades of partnership and pioneering solutions

scroll through 60 years of UNDP's impact

1965-1970
Foundations

From post-war recovery to the rise of independent states to the space race, the world rapidly transforms. As countries change, grow, and emerge economically and politically, UNDP is created to work in partnership to build the foundations for human development and create opportunities for people to thrive

The 1965 United Nations Pledging Conference on the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the Special Fund. Simon Pither (Gabon) signing the Final Act of the Conference. At left is Danilo Lekic (Yugoslavia), President of the Conference.

The 1965 United Nations Pledging Conference on the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the Special Fund.

Photo: UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata 

 

1945

The United Nations is established on 24 October

1949

Six UN agencies unite under the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance

1959

The UN Special Fund begins supporting development projects worldwide

1965

UNDP IS BORN

The merger of the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the UN Special Fund creates the United Nations Development Programme

1966

The UN Capital Development Fund is established as an organ of the General Assembly and an autonomous organization within the UN. In 1967, UNDP hosts the Fund. In 1974, the UN General Assembly decides to use it, first and foremost, to support the least developed among developing countries

1967

When the small island nation-state of Singapore seeks to transform itself into an economic powerhouse, UNDP steps up. We provide city planning, healthcare, education, and industry support, demonstrating comprehensive national development assistance that becomes the hallmark of our approach

First meeting of UNDP’s Governing Council in New York, 1966. Delegates are seated in a semi-circular conference room, engaged in discussion or listening attentively

First meeting of UNDP’s Governing Council, New York.

Photo: UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata

Drafters working on architectural or urban planning drawings for Singapore's Urban Renewal Programme.

UNDP partners with newly independent Singapore.

Photo: UN Photo/MB

Jamaican researcher using an electron microscope

UNDP supports Jamaica to position itself as a leader in mineral research and development.

Photo: UNDP Jamaica/Ruth Seligman

 

1970s-1980s
Building National Capacity

Energy crises and political upheavals reshape the global landscape and post-colonial nations chart their futures. This incubation era sees UNDP pioneering coordinated approaches to development and economic resilience, harnessing technologies as part of these new ways of working

1971

The General Assembly establishes an international group of volunteers, known individually and collectively as United Nations Volunteers. Hosted at UNDP, by 2025 UNV grows to 14,000 volunteers serving in 169 countries

1974

UNDP hosts the Special Unit for Technical Cooperation (later the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation) when it is established, laying the groundwork for new partnerships led by developing nations

1978

The Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People is established by the UN General Assembly, mandating UNDP to improve conditions in Gaza and the West Bank. Since then, UNDP/PAPP has delivered over $1.7 billion in development assistance to the Palestinian people

1980s

As Mozambique responds to drought and conflict, UNDP helps with drilling water wells and supporting food distribution. The work is part of broader resilience-building in response to the mounting challenges faced by developing countries

 

UNDP supports newly independent Small Island Developing States as they establish core government institutions, including in Cape Verde, Samoa and Barbados. This foundational work continues today with 39 SIDS who make up 20% of UN Member States 

A group of young people in Sierra Leone participating in a vocational training programme.

UNDP supports training in Sierra Leone to equip young adults with skills for quality jobs.

Photo: UN Photo/Redenius

Three researchers standing in an oil palm plantation in Thailand, part of an experimental agricultural project.

UNDP assists community agriculture projects to promote income-generating activities in Thailand.

Photo: UN Photo/M. Wild

1990s
Human Development in Focus

New ways of thinking emerge about poverty, inequality, human dignity and environmental protection. UNDP pioneers human-centred development, moving beyond economic growth to focus on people’s well-being. As the World Wide Web and global connectivity unleash a new wave of human potential, we embrace digital tools for combating poverty and inequality

United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) electoral staff showing a video on voting to the residents of a village in Ratanakiri.
 

UNDP supports the UN Transitional Authority’s electoral assistance in Cambodia.

Photo: UN Photo/John Isaac

1990

UNDP’s first Human Development Report revolutionizes how the world measures progress. As well as GDP, it considers whether people are living longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives 

 

The Global Environment Facility is established by UNDP and partners as a unique source of sustainable funding. Today, it helps 186 member countries meet their environmental commitments  

1991

Egypt works with UNDP to transform the Social Fund for Development into a central instrument for poverty reduction. To date, the programme has created more than 4 million jobs 

1993

UNDP begins clearing landmines in Cambodia, one of the world's most landmine-contaminated countries. This programme expands in 1996 to Lao PDR through a joint initiative with the government and UNICEF. Since then, UNDP has supported mine action in over 50 countries 

 

The Government of Japan launches the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), with UNDP as a founding co-organizer. For 30 years, TICAD has fostered partnerships for resilient and stable societies and African-owned economic transformation

1994

Rwanda's post-genocide recovery and reintegration in the broader Great Lakes region benefits from UNDP’s work with Rwandans to draft a new constitution and hold elections

 

As democratic elections accelerate in the region, UNDP begins electoral assistance programmes in South East Asia. We support large nations, such as Indonesia, and small island states, like Timor-Leste

Mid-1990s

Western Balkans state-building begins following Yugoslavia's dissolution. UNDP provides substantial support to strengthen democratic governance and build institutional capacities that meet EU membership standards 

A woman weaving in Egypt.

UNDP supports Egypt’s Social Fund for Development — later the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Agency — to create jobs and reduce poverty.

Photo: UNDP Egypt

Three individuals standing in conversation in rural Rwanda.

UNDP supports Rwanda's ongoing healing and reconciliation journey. Three decades on, community dialogues between genocide perpetrators, their families and survivors help heal trauma.

Photo: UNDP Rwanda/Alice Kayibanda

A person pouring cranberries from a bag into a container during a cranberry harvest at the Bartenikha fen mire in the Minsk region of Belarus.

UNDP supports agriculture to fight hunger, create jobs, and strengthen economies in Belarus.

Photo: UNDP Belarus

 

2000s
Millenium Momentum

From global goals to climate action, the new millennium brings new ambition. UNDP coordinates development efforts as the world commits to unprecedented cooperation

2000

The Millennium Development Goals launch. Eight targets unite nations to tackle poverty, promote education and dramatically improve health outcomes. UNDP provides technical support, policy advice and resource mobilization, then acts as the global scorekeeper on progress

2002

The Equator Initiative becomes the first global effort to celebrate the outstanding efforts of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in reducing poverty while protecting biodiversity. Programme partners span the globe, from the custodians of the Maasai Mara corridor to Brazil's Cerrado

2003

UNDP's Global Shared Service Centre is established. Formerly known as Staff Administrative Services, it rolls out a shared administrative services model now supporting over 40,000 UN personnel from more than 80 UN partner agencies across the system

 

The UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office, hosted by UNDP, enables pooled funding for peacebuilding, humanitarian, climate and development initiatives for the UN system and beyond. Three years later, this funding approach expands when the Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund is established

2004

Following the Indonesian tsunami, UNDP clears 1 million cubic metres of debris as part of one of the world's largest recovery efforts to rebuild thousands of houses and reestablish hundreds of kilometres of roads across the affected region

An Apiwtxa woman in Brazil painting her face with traditional red and black patterns while looking into a mirror.

Through the Equator Initiative, UNDP celebrates sustainable forestry in Brazil.

Photo: Associação Ashaninka do Rio Amônia - Apiwtxa

A yellow excavator clearing a large pile of debris while four people help, as part of tsunami recovery efforts in Indonesia supported by UNDP.

UNDP supports tsunami recovery in Indonesia.

Photo: UNDP Indonesia

2010s
Building Resilience and Innovation

Crises converge as economic turmoil and the climate emergency intensify. UNDP embraces participatory development and integrated solutions that build resilience and connect climate action, sustainable finance and innovation

A person working on a weather station in Armenia
 

UNDP supports meteorological monitoring for climate adaptation in Armenia.

Photo: UNDP Armenia/Arzuman Harutyunyan

2014

UNDP champions participatory approaches to global goal setting as a founding partner of the UN's MY World survey, amplifying the voices of over 10 million people from 194 countries. They provide direct input into a new development agenda

2015

The Sustainable Development Goals are adopted as a response to the world’s most pressing challenges. The 17 goals integrate governance, peace, and economic, environmental and social development. UNDP provides policy advice, tools, and financing

 

The Paris Agreement on climate action is adopted. UNDP is the hub that connects countries to technical and financial resources to meet their climate commitments

 

UNDP's stabilization approach paves the way for post-conflict and recovery efforts with other UN agencies and international financial institutions. Since 2015, these programmes have benefited nearly 17 million people and enabled over 6 million people to return home

2016

UNDP supports the Colombian peace agreement, marking the end of over 50 years of conflict. It promotes transitional justice and community reconciliation, including reintegrating former combatants

2019

The Climate Promise launches as climate urgency rises. UNDP coordinates the world's largest initiative on Nationally Determined Contributions, which assists countries as they set climate goals that align with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target and the SDGs. The initiative now works with over 140 countries and territories, governments, civil society and the private sector, directly benefiting 37 million people 

 

The Accelerator Labs network is established in 115 countries. It spurs over 6,000 initiatives that combine local solutions with global development networks

 

The Sustainable Finance Hub is established as global SDG financing needs soar. From 2022 to 2024, it mobilizes $867 billion in public and private SDG investments

 

The UN Development System reform strengthens the UN as a coordinated and effective partner to countries. UNDP supports this transformation through legal, financial and administrative changes in 131 countries, delivering integrated support for achieving the SDGs

Two people building frames for a beehive in Guatemala

UNDP works with local farmers in Guatemala to boost local economies and help communities adapt to climate change.

Photo: UNDP Guatemala

Three individuals painting colourful murals on a wall at Al Mansour Primary School in Iraq

UNDP supports local residents to repair and repaint schools in Iraq.

Photo: UNDP Iraq/Claire Thomas 

In war-torn Chernihiv, Ukraine, a woman works on a solar power installation.

UNDP, GEF and Atmosfera train women in solar power installation to support energy needs in Ukraine.

Photo: UNDP Ukraine

2020s
Sustainability and Systems Change

A pandemic, conflicts, and the AI revolution reshape the world. UNDP navigates unprecedented change while supporting others to adapt and innovate

2020-2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic upends global systems, UNDP delivers 128 rapid socio-economic assessments to guide recovery 

 

In Peru, the UNDP country office directs $9 million to urgent needs including gender-based violence prevention, responding to increased violence against women during mandatory quarantine

 

In Honduras, UNDP launches Boco Uno, a one-time subsidy that enables the most vulnerable to buy food and medicine. It uses a new Multidimensional Vulnerability Index to identify and distribute about 170,000 digital cash transfers to those in need. In 2024, the UN advances a broader, international MVI framework 

 

In India, UNDP provides technical and implementation support for a digital platform to facilitate the country's COVID-19 immunization programme. It registers more than 1.1 billion people and records over 2 billion vaccine doses

2022

UNDP is requested to lead the FSO Safer salvage operation to transfer 1 million barrels of crude oil from a decaying tanker off Yemen, preventing an ecological and humanitarian disaster

 

In Ukraine, UNDP provides holistic support along the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. This includes delivering over 469 MW of power-generating equipment, helping stabilize electricity services for over 23 million people

2023

The Nature Pledge launched by UNDP now supports over 140 developing countries to achieve biodiversity targets aligned with the SDGs. The initiative rapidly expands to a $3.9 billion portfolio, mobilizing over $1.6 billion through tailored biodiversity finance solutions across 41 countries

2024

UNDP launches the timbuktoo initiative with African leaders. It aims to help 10,000 African tech start-ups, transform 100 million livelihoods and create 10 million jobs

 

Building on early digital governance progress in countries such as Armenia and Bulgaria, UNDP supports the national digital strategies of over 70 countries by 2024, deploying digital solutions to reach more than 200 million people

 

In Ecuador, UNDP and its partners produce the world's first certified deforestation-free coffee. An innovative public-private partnership model, it connects coffee farmers with international markets while protecting their forest environment

2025

UNDP looks ahead to tackle the world's biggest interconnected challenges. With six decades of partnership with countries globally, our 2026-2029 Strategic Plan aims to address the crises and opportunities that will shape the world in the decades to come

Two tanker ships next to each other in the waters off Yemen’s coast: the rusting FSO Safer and the replacement vessel Nautica.

A salvage operation by UNDP and partners prevents a major disaster in the Red Sea.

Photo: SMIT/Coen De Jong

A person working on a voice-controlled drone, designed to assist persons with disabilities.

UNDP's timbuktoo initiative builds Africa's innovation ecosystem to support inclusive tech startups.

Photo: UNDP Malawi

UNDP Today

For six decades, and on the request of national governments, UNDP has maintained a continuous presence in every region, from the smallest island states to the largest economies, from stable democracies to fragile contexts

170 countries and territories

23,000 personnel

SINCE 2022:
160 million

people access essential services

259 million

people gain financial services

82 million

people connect to clean energy

2.6 million

jobs created in crisis-affected countries

50 million

people benefit from nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration

160 million

people access essential services

259 million

people gain financial services

82 million

people connect to clean energy

2.6 million

jobs created in crisis-affected countries

50 million

people benefit from nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration

Electoral support: 830.6 million voters supported to participate in 62 elections across 44 countries

Partnership trust: Core funding partners entrust UNDP with flexible resources to deliver results worldwide. 94 countries invest $1.2 billion of their own domestic resources in UNDP programmes within their borders

UN support: As the UN system's operational backbone, UNDP works with over 70 UN agencies and manages services across 121 UN Country Teams

Accountability: With 19 unqualified audits in a row, UNDP is transparent and accountable, delivering impact to our trusted partners in a context of excellent financial management and institutional integrity

Policy leadership: UNDP's Global Policy Centres in Dublin, Doha, Istanbul, Oslo, Seoul, Singapore and Rome inform development policy worldwide. They cover governance, technology, climate action, private sector engagement, youth, and the alignment of finance with climate, nature and sustainable development priorities

Leverage: For every dollar invested by UNDP, $7.4 more is leveraged for sustainable development, exceptional value for money as we multiply investments to advance development breakthroughs globally

Consistency in crisis: UNDP stays and delivers, maintaining operations in some of the world's most challenging places, including Afghanistan, Gaza, Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan and Ukraine