13 June 2011: Addressing the Annual Meeting of the Executive Board of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which is being held from 6-17 June 2011, in New York, US, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark identified long-term trends, such as climate change and human impact on the world’s natural resources, as responsible for radically changing the development landscape and affecting the way multilateral organizations operate.

In particular, Helen Clark stressed the challenges associated with “high food and fuel price volatility, poor governance, and the difficulties of helping countries prevent and recover from natural disasters and conflicts.” She also stressed the challenges arising out of growing disparities and exclusion, even when national indicators show development progress. Clark indicated that these global challenges make the work of multilateral organizations more relevant than before. She noted UNDP’s determination to promote growth and development, which are inclusive, sustainable and resilient. [UN Press Release] [Helen Clark’s Statement]