UNDP Core Contribution 2025

Established in 1965, the UNDP is the the United Nations main development agency, supporting countries in formulating long-term, socially sustainable development strategies to overcome poverty, reinforce democratic governance and strengthen peacebuilding. It plays a central role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Present in 170 countries, UNDP also performs important UN Development System (UNDS)-wide coordination functions, providing back office support to the resident coordinators offices and administrating all UN Multi-Partner Trust Funds.

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the 46 least developed countries. It offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

At the midpoint of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, nearly 72 million people have gained access to essential services, and 39 million acquired access to financial services and non-financial assets through UNDP programmes. In 2023, UNDP supported 61 countries to fulfil internationally agreed human rights obligations. UNDP assisted 36 elections with 439 million voters in 2022-2023. Through the Climate Promise, UNDP assisted, in 2023, over 140 countries to access USD 2.3 billion in green grants. UNDP also helped countries increasing energy access for those furthest behind, with 55 million people gaining access to clean, affordable and sustainable energy since 2022. In 2022-2023, UNDP supported 40+ countries in conducting digital readiness assessments and developing inclusive digital infrastructure. UNDP achieved all UNDS reform targets in 2023, successfully focusing on its core mandate.

The UNCDF attracted record breaking program funding (USD 170 mio in 2022). Although UNCDF is delivering impressive results, the core funding of the organisation remaines very low (USD 14 mio in 2022). UNCDF reviewed its institutional strategy under the lead of a new Executive Secretary in 2024.

Swiss achievements have been satisfactory. Switzerland reduced its funding to the UNDP Crisis Bureau but remains an important interlocutor of the Bureau. Switzerland played a leading role in strengthening oversight functions of UNDP and further increasing the independence and capacity of the Office for Audit and Investigations (OAI). Switzerland also co-initiated an assessment of the oversight and governance functions of the Executive Boards of UNDP and four other Funds and Programs.

Switzerland successfully advocated for UNDP’s active participation in the UNDS reform. The number of Swiss staff at UNDP stands at 14 in 2024. Switzerland is still underrepresented, notably among senior managers, despite the nomination of a Swiss at the level of Assistant Administrator and Assistant Secretary General level in 2024. Switzerland is as a major core contributor of UNCDF and plays a leading role in the donor dialogue with the organisation.

The Strategic Plan 2022-2025 describes the work of UNDP in supporting countries towards three directions of change: structural transformation, leaving no one behind and resilience through: (a) 6 signature solutions: poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality; and (b) 3 enablers: strategic innovation, digitalization and development financing.

The Strategic Plan 2022-2025 puts a strong focus on innovation and digitalisation.

Switzerland’s monitoring and dialogue focuses on UNDP’s contribution to crisis response, governance, poverty eradication; as well as on organisational effectiveness, in particular on the audit and investigation function. In 2021, UNDP was positively assessed by the Multilateral Organization Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN). MOPAN emphasised that UNDP played a constructive role in UN Reforms. It also highlighted that UNDP has effective decentralised decision-making and resource allocation mechanisms; as well as independent evaluation and oversight functions and transparent information disclosure. UNDP was the second-best rated UN entity by the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) in 2022.

1. UNDP’s work on conflict prevention, rule of law and core government functions is strengthened.
2. System wide coherence is strengthened. UNDP contributes to consolidate the leadership of Resident Coordinators and the use of joint programming at the country level.
3. Increased number of Swiss personnel.
4. Improved delivery of development results by UNDP through a professionalized evaluation, increased financial sustainability, and improved gender equality in programming.
5. Improved Governance of the Executive Board.
6. Via UNCDF: support LDCs in (a) Accelerating inclusive, diversified, green economic transformation; (b) Catalyzing private and public flows of capital; (c) Strengthening market systems and financing mechanisms.
7. Switzerland follow-ups up on measures to strengthen the oversight and governance functions of the Executive Board.

2024: Switzerland ranked as 3rd top core donor (as a result of other core donors diminishing their contributions).

Core contributions ranking (2024): 1. Germany, 2. United States, 3. Switzerland
4. Japan, 5. Netherlands, 6. Norway, 7. Sweden, 8. Denmark, 9. Republic of Korea,
10. Qatar

Switzerland coordinates its positions with the Western European and Others Group (WEOG); organizes the WEOG “Capitals’ call”; and contributes to/lead on decision language in the Executive Board.