Our mission, our goals, our mandate

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

Mission and vision

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life.

Currently UNDP provides six signature solutions to this end.

The UN Charter

The Charter of the United Nations was signed in San Francisco on 26 June 1945, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization and came into force on 24 October 1945. Its purposes and principles are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations based on equal rights and self-determination, and to achieve international co-operation in solving economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian challenges without distinction for race, sex, language, or religion.

History

UNDP is based on the merging of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, created in 1949, and the United Nations Special Fund, established in 1958. UNDP, as we know it now, was established in 1966 by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

UNDP Bangladesh has been a critical facilitator in Bangladesh’s remarkable development story since it first arrived in 1972. Since then, UNDP has assisted Bangladesh’s progression from a war zone, beset by environmental and political instability, to an ever more dynamic, youthful and resilient emerging economy with distinct promise. UNDP Bangladesh has been a valuable partner throughout this process, acting as an honest broker and a helpful catalyst in promoting transformational changes in the lives and livelihoods of the people of Bangladesh. UNDP Bangladesh does not waver in its commitment to human rights, rule of law, or inclusive governance. Our cooperation with the government of Bangladesh is well-respected and long-standing and has successfully helped to make government institutions more effective, transparent and accountable.

What we do

UNDP is helping Bangladesh to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2026, and to meet its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To help the people of Bangladesh reach these ambitious targets, UNDP Bangladesh has developed a comprehensive new country programme for the years 2022-2026. [CPD 2022-2026]

This programme is based on broad and inclusive consultations with the community, government, civil society, and donor country representatives. All initiatives engage two key groups as agents of change: (i) women, addressing their vulnerability and marginalization; and (ii) youth, in recognition of their role as drivers of Bangladeshi economic growth and social change.

Throughout our work, UNDP Bangladesh also focuses on harnessing the power of new and innovative technologies. From assisting technological developments to protect the ozone layer, to new data-collection methods and platforms for presenting our results, to the digitalization of whole branches of the Bangladeshi government, UNDP is committed to embracing innovative and exciting development opportunities.

Technology and skills development have the potential to transform lives of the most vulnerable and marginalized from all gender and social groups from urban cities to rural and remote areas. UNDP Bangladesh is committed to being on the forefront of these dynamic new trends, and to promote Bangladesh’s full human potential.

UNDP Bangladesh strives constantly to continue to deliver the highest quality programming, and to meet and exceed the expectations of the communities for whom we work.