28 November 2017: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) launched a four-year plan that aligns its work with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Plan 2018-2021 sets out direction for a “new UNDP,” one that is “optimized to help countries” achieve the Agenda.
The Strategic Plan is built on the principles of universality, equality and leaving no one behind. According to its vision, UNDP will help countries achieve sustainable development by: eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions; accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development; and building resilience to crises and shocks. The Strategic Plan identifies six “signature solutions” along which UNDP will align its resources and expertise:
- Keep people out of poverty
- Strengthen effective, inclusive and accountable governance
- Enhance national prevention and recovery capacities for resilient societies
- Promote nature-based solutions for a sustainable planet
- Close the energy gap
- Strengthen gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls
Through the plan, UNDP aims to strengthen its relevance in the development landscape and its standing as a trusted partner, to become more innovative and enterprising, and to increase its effectiveness and efficiency in using resources to deliver results. By 2021, the Plan notes, UNDP will work to: develop integrated policy and programmatic content; strengthen collaborative engagement, partnerships and coordination with other development partners; and mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as South-South and triangular cooperation across operational programming.
In support of SDG implementation, UNDP proposes two platforms: country-support platforms that will help countries design and carry out integrated solutions, where problems require action across economic, social and environmental issues; and a global development advisory and implementation services platform. The global platform aims to: provide technical and policy advisory support to country platforms and UNDP country programmes; and support UNDP global knowledge, innovation and partnership-building efforts within the UN development system (UNDS), as well as with international financial institutions (IFIs) and other partners.
The 2018-2021 Strategic Plan was first presented during the Second Regular Session of the UNDP Executive Board in September 2017. The Board has formally endorsed the Plan. [UNDP Press Release] [Strategic Plan Website] [UNDP Strategic Plan, 2018-2021 (DP/2017/38)] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on Presentation to Board]