Watch what stakeholders say are some of UNDP's contribution to Ghana's development as the organization celebrates 50 years of global leadership in development.

The Environmental Sustainability and Policy for Cocoa Production in Ghana Project (ESP) has inaugurated the Ayum-Asuokow Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) in the Asunafo North Municipal Assembly in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

This initiative is expected to assist cocoa farming communities to adopt and implement good environmental practices that enhance natural resources management and cocoa landscapes in the area.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Charles Abaka Haizel, a wildlife manager with the Forestry Commission said, the sustainable management of CREMAs depends heavily on the commitment and collaborative effort of communities. “CREMAs if well managed will contribute significantly to increasing knowledge of the natural resources in the area and help to improve economic and livelihood conditions of the people”.

Present to grace the occasion was the paramount Chief of the Mim Traditional Area, Nana Okoforobo Dr. Yaw Agyei II. On his part, the traditional ruler appealed to government, private sector and civil society to support the implementation of CREMAs for their sustainability. He was grateful to UNDP and partners for establishing the CREMA in the area

The ESP project is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and Mondelez International’s Cocoa Life Programme. Since its inception four years ago, UNDP and COCOBOD have jointly supported 36 communities to enhance and manage the natural resources in the area through series of sensitization and training workshops that build the capacities of farmers. The project has also in the last two years distributed over 250,000 economic tree seedlings to farmers and community members in Asunafo Municipality to help increase shade trees on cocoa farms and enhance carbon stocks across the cocoa landscapes.

“Over the last two years, UNDP has been working diligently with Conservation Foundation, a local NGO, the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission and the Asunafo North Municipal Assembly through the Environment Sustainability Project (ESP) to establish the governance structures for the CREMA”, said Ms. Rita Effah, a Programme Officer at UNDP.

The CREMA concept is an initiative of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission through which the authority to manage the forest and wildlife resources of an area is devolved to communities, land owners and land users. The CREMA concept therefore represents a profound policy shift that gives local communities the opportunity to manage forest and wildlife resources.

The Ayum-Asuokow CREMA which involves 36 farming communities in the Asunafo North Municipality with an operational area of about 21,574 hectares has been established to support sustainable management of forest and natural resources in the area.

The Asunafo North Municipality which was once endowed with a lot of pristine forests and wiildlife resources is currently confronted with the problem of massive forest degradation with a drastic loss of biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services.

The inauguration symbolizes the beginning of an unprecedented opportunity of the CREMA communities to sustainably manage and benefit economically from the natural resources of the area.

Ghana has held her maiden Maendeleo Policy Forum in Accra, bringing into sharp focus election experiences in Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim was to examine the challenges faced by various countries in organizing democratic and peaceful elections, and at the same time, identify opportunities for a brighter future for Africa.

“While elections may have become a common feature in the majority of African countries today, it is important to recognize that these elections have impressively contrasted in their quality and impact on democratic governance and political stability on the continent”, said Mr. Tegegnework Gettu, UNDP Associate Administrator in his opening remarks.  

The forum was organized by the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa in Addis Ababa, with a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo. The panel comprised three of Africa’s finest practitioners in the area of election administration and electoral assistance including Dr. Brigalia Bam, a member of the AU Panel of the Wise and Former Chair of South African Independent Electoral Commission; Mr. Denis Kadima, Executive Director of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa; and Mrs. Charlotte Osei, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

The panelists shared insights on key elections challenges including political intolerance, restrictions of the political space, violation of fundamental human rights, inadequacies of electoral management bodies, tailor-made legal framework and inopportune constitutional modification, as well as election-related violence.

Some of the more than 150 participants of the forum including development partners, political party representatives, civil society, UN agencies, the media as well as research and academia, also shared perspectives on overcoming elections challenges in Africa.

The Maendeleo Policy Forum was first launched by UNDP in 2015 to provide space for leaders, international mediators and negotiators, researchers, policy makers, development practitioners, activists and writers on African issues, to debate on critical issues of development in Africa. It has previously been held at the UNDP Regional Service Centre in Addis Ababa until today first held outside the region.

“It is our anticipation that bringing this forum to Accra will assist Ghana, which is undoubtedly one of Africa’s success stories, to further benefit from the various experiences across Africa, as the country prepares for its December polls”, said Mr. Tegegnework Gettu.

The report analyses the political, economic and social drivers that hamper African women’s advancement and proposes policies and concrete actions to close the gender gap. These include addressing the contradiction between legal provisions and practice in gender laws; breaking down harmful social norms and transforming discriminatory institutional settings; and securing women’s economic, social and political participation.

The Government of Ghana, under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has organized an event to celebrate UNDP’s contribution and achievements to Ghana’s development.

The UNDP Associate Administrator, Mr. Tegegnework Gettu joined Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Hanna Tetteh, who is also a UNDP Champion to mark this event in Accra in the presence of other ministers and government functionaries.

“Today’s event is a celebration of the longstanding partnership between UNDP and the Government and people of Ghana”, said Mr. Gettu. “It is also a celebration of the progress and the leadership shown by the countries of the developing world such as Ghana.”

Since late 1978 when UNDP signed its Standard Basic Agreement with the Government of Ghana, it has accompanied Ghana through regimes of transformation agendas and quest for ensuring better living standards for the people of Ghana.

In her address, Hon Hanna Tetteh commended UNDP for its enduring support to Ghana, recalling in particular the organization’s support to the promotion of tourism in the country since early days. “UNDP has been a reliable partner and has been with us every step of the way”, says Hon. Tetteh.

On his part, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Seth Tekper in a speech read on his behalf noted that the 50^th anniversary celebration offers an opportunity to mark Ghana’s vibrant and steady partnership with the UNDP, which he believes has contributed to Ghana’s turnaround story. “Government and the UNDP have over the years partnered to implement development programmes with the view of improving the living conditions of Ghanaians through policy advocacy and development delivery.”

UNDP’s global journey started in January 1966 when it was formed. Since then, it has been at the forefront of efforts to eradicate poverty, hunger and disease, create jobs and livelihoods, empower women, support recovery from disasters and other crises, protect the environment, and more.

In Ghana, UNDP has been supporting national efforts and capacity building for sustainable human development through a number of interlinked programmes that cut across Democratic Governance and Peace Building, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth.

Different programmes have been delivered in line with Ghana’s development strategies, anchored within the broader context of the UN Delivering as One under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).

These efforts have helped empower lives and contributed to a more resilient Ghana through eradicating extreme poverty, promoting gender equality, bridging inequality, promoting representation and participation in decision making at all levels and building credible national institutions.  It has also helped reshape Ghana’s commitment and response to a future that is environmentally friendly and naturally sustainable.

“Moving forward, UNDP will continue to support Ghana to achieve its strategic priorities in advancing its democratic dispensation, improving access to justice, protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, promoting peace and strengthening social cohesion while empowering women, youth and people with disabilities”, said Mr. Tegegnework Gettu.

Hon Hannah Tetteh also noted that UNDP’s 50^th anniversary celebration coincides with Ghana’s next general election, slated for December 7 and used the opportunity to reiterate Government’s commitment to the conduct of peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

Also present at the event were members of the diplomatic corps, members of parliament, heads of government ministries, departments and agencies, private sector, philanthropy, civil society and staff of UN agencies including UNDP.

“As we commemorate this milestone, I am confident that the United Nations Development Programme’s close partnership with Ghana will continue to thrive and contribute to shaping the Ghanaian destiny”, concluded Mr. Gettu.

This publication provides a brief history of UNDP's global presence, UNDP's work in Ghana, some achievements and important lessons learnt. It also looks forward to the future of people and planet

This publication presents the following basic information on the Sustainable Development Goals: 1. It's birth 2. It's implementation and monitoring 3. How it would be financed 4. How they compare to the MDGs 5. What individuals and groups can do to support its successful implementation

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has held a two day validation workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department (MoJAGD) and criminal justice institutions in Ghana.

The workshop which was held in Accra was to allow implementing partners review and make recommendations to knowledge products presented by consultants.

“I have followed the work of the consultants keenly and I hope the knowledge products coming out of these consultancies will be used by the institutions and not kept on the shelves to gather dust”, said Mr. Suleiman Ahmed, Chief Director, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General in his welcome address. “I urge all the heads to adopt the monitoring and evaluation systems incorporated in the new processes to ensure these products are used and reviewed consistently so they remain relevant,”

In her address, UNDP Governance Analyst, Nana Chinbuah said the success of the legal and justice sector reform programme depends on coordinated and concerted efforts of beneficiary institutions, development partners and government to achieve planned outcomes.

The knowledge products made for the Ministry of Justice and the criminal justice institutions include Standard Operating Procedures, a Training Plan, a Training Needs Assessment, Change Management Strategy and an Implementation Roadmap.

This initiative comes on the heel of a A 2012 baseline survey of the justice sector in Ghana in which, found, majority of stakeholders rated the level of transparency and the speed of the processes and proceedings in the formal justice system very low.  In that survey, most reforms proposed by the stakeholders were to improve access to and quality of justice delivery in the formal and informal justice systems.

In the past, most justice sector reforms targeted the judiciary and the Judicial Service of Ghana.  These reform efforts had been largely uncoordinated.

To address these issues, the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department partnered with UNDP to develop targeted reforms aimed at improving the quality of legal service and justice delivery.  Following the validation workshop, stakeholders will implement the knowledge products to enhance their human resource capacities.

The workshop was attended by 70 participants drawn from the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department, Ministry of the Interior, Ghana Police Service (Legal & Prosecutions, and Investigations); Ghana Prisons Service (Legal/Remand); Judicial Service of Ghana (JS); Legal Service Civil Division (LSCD), Legal Service Legislative Drafting Division (LSLD), and Legal Service Public Prosecution Division (LSPD); and MOJAGD agencies: Council for Law Reporting (CLR); Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO); Legal Aid Scheme (LAS); and Law Reform Commission(LRC).

#Accelerate2030 #SGSGeneva

GENEVA/ ACCRA – July  25, 2016: UNDP and Impact Hub are joining forces to launch the #Accelerate2030 platform aimed at supporting and promoting the most promising impact-driven ventures across the globe who focus on tackling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Five entrepreneurs, selected with the support of the global Impact Hub network, will have the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Social Good Summit Geneva, Switzerland on October 6^th 2016.

During the event the entrepreneurs will showcase their innovation and explore opportunities for expansion and scaling of their solutions. They will be connected with a dynamic ecosystem of impact investors, representatives from international organizations and governments, experts from the global supply chain and fellow entrepreneurs - all committed to supporting innovative ideas that accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.

To be eligible for #Accelerate2030, entrepreneurs need to be working on solutions focused on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals. They don’t have to be members of Impact Hub but they need to apply through the Impact Hub in their country.

“The aim of #Accelerate2030 is to empower impact-driven innovators and entrepreneurs who are committed to tackling the biggest social and environmental problems of our time. The role of the participating Impact Hubs is to scout for innovative solutions in their countries and identify the ones with the highest potential for impact and scalability to other contexts. I see the #SGSGeneva as a unique opportunity for these entrepreneurs to get visibility and exposure, as well as to explore scaling opportunities and to build strategic relationships with international peers, including the Geneva development and finance community” - said Alexandra 'Santu' Boëthius, Co-founder and Impact Hub Lead of #Accelerate2030.

#Accelerate2030 will accept applications until August 25^th for the Impact Hub to complete the first round of national pre-selection. The top three nominated ventures from each country will then be reviewed by an international jury which will select the top five ventures to take part in the Social Good Summit in Geneva.

“These five finalists will get the chance to pitch their ventures in front of the handpicked audience at SGS Geneva. Additionally, they will benefit from a variety of business and training opportunities. We will organize one-on-one meetings with strategic partners, as well as a “Scaling-Up Clinic” focusing on business development for entrance into the global economy; in conjunction with specialized partners”, noted Sarah Bel, Communication specialist at UNDP Geneva.

“Impact-driven entrepreneurs play a crucial role in tackling the SDGs as they often have an exceptional understanding of pressing social needs in their local communities. Therefore, it is essential to support their work and to grow the ‘Impact ecosystem’. This being the main goal of #Accelerate2030, makes it a highly welcomed initiative” noted Dominic Sam, UNDP Ghana Country Director.

In addition to the event hosted in Geneva, the ventures nominated at national level will receive an invitation to the conference “Impact Investment and International Development Organizations” (IIIDO) hosted by UNDP and INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Initiative in Yerevan, Armenia in March, 2017.  IIIDO will focus on the opportunities and mechanisms of impact investing and the role that development agencies can play in promoting it. This event will present the entrepreneurs with another great opportunity to present their projects to both impact investors and development organizations targeting sustainable development goals as part of their major missions.

The national Impact Hubs participating in this first edition of #Accelerate2030 are: Sao Paolo (Brasil), Caracas (Venezuela), Bogotá (Colombia), Accra (Ghana), Bamako (Mali), Khartoum (Sudan), Yerevan (Armenia), Moscow (Russia), Manila (The Philippines) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).

Sounds interesting? Then read more about #Accelerate2030 and how to apply here. www.accelerate2030.net. Application deadline is August 25th 2016.

Stakeholders of urban planning and development have renewed their commitment to making cities more inclusive and resilient in Ghana. This occurred during a two-day multi-stakeholder workshop to promote resilient activities and increase local level understanding of disaster risk in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).

The event was organized under the auspices of the project, “Advocacy and Capacity Building for Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness”, implemented by the United National Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and the World Health Organization.

In his keynote address, a commissioner at the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Ebenezer Anuwah Armah said “there is a need for a strong and cohesive multi-stakeholder voice on the challenges that confront us. While awareness of the problems associated with the GAMA’s urban transformation is important, we must also look firmly towards solutions and an agenda focused implementation”.

On her part, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Christine Evans-Klock said “one of the lessons learned elsewhere is that resilient and inclusive cities is smart business. Sustainable and inclusive urban development increases returns on investments – in transportation infrastructure, in housing, in public facilities like schools and clinics. When we build resilience, we are protecting both economic investments and human life”.

The highest proportion of Ghana’s population who live in urban areas reside in the Greater Accra Region, which remains the smallest of Ghana’s ten regions. This situation results in many social and environmental challenges, including lack of adequate water and sanitation services, inadequate drainage system and flood protection mechanisms, leading to periodic disease outbreaks and a significant risk of weather and climate-related disasters.

The National Coordinator of NADMO, Brigadier General Francis Vib Sanziri, said there is a need to properly plan new communities and to rehabilitate poorly planned ones. Encouraging participants to coordinate more effectively, the NADMO chief indicated that Ghana cannot continue to lose time in building resilient urban cities since lives and property are at stake.  

The workshop, held with funding from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) was inspired by the global campaign launched by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) to support sustainable urban development.
Participants used the occasion to reflect on their roles in disaster risk reduction in their various capacities to lead, in the long run, to greater commitment by local and national authorities to building urban resilience.

Present were representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing; Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development; the Ministry of Interior; NDPC; the Environmental Protection Agency; Ghana National Fire Service; Town and Country Planning; the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA); the security services; Academia; Civil Society organizations and other UN Agencies.

The “Making Cities Inclusive and Resilient in Ghana” workshop is related to goal 11 of the new Sustainable Development Goals, which emphasizes the importance of building commitment to inclusiveness to meet the needs and rights of all city dwellers, including their needs in urban infrastructure and planning and in disaster risk management and resilience.

On behalf of the United Nations, I am glad to extend congratulations to the members of the National Peace Council on the occasion of their Investiture on 28 June by His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana.

The National Peace Council is widely regarded as one of the innovative institutions of Ghana’s democratic architecture. It has an ambitious and important mission: “to facilitate the development of mechanisms of cooperation among all stakeholders who work towards peace in Ghana; [to promote] a cooperative resolution of problems or conflicts by institutionalizing conflict resolution which will lead to the transformation of social and political conflicts, as well as to religious reconciliation and dialogue.”

This mission, and the achievements and reputation in carrying it out, has made the National Peace Council a best practice for other countries in Africa to emulate.

I would like to extend commendations to the members whose mandate has expired, for their meritorious service and tireless efforts in building peace and enhancing political and social stability in Ghana.

And I offer heartfelt congratulations to the re-elected and new members of this august body. Your membership in the National Peace Council is, without doubt, an acknowledgment of the high regard and esteem in which you are held by your compatriots. They expect that in carrying out your functions, you are motivated by none other than the supreme interests of Ghana.

As new members of the National Peace Council, you are assuming office at a crucial time for Ghana - with Presidential and legislative elections taking place later this year.  There remain some divergent views over some aspects of the elections. And some concerns have been expressed about the securitization of the electoral process.

This is naturally a period of heightened political tension associated with electioneering campaigns.

I would like to congratulate Honourable Prosper Bani, Minister of Interior on his public commitments to disbanding vigilante groups and to providing security to all Presidential candidates.

As I emphasized during my visit to Accra ten days ago, the signing of the Kumasi Declaration by Presidential Candidates in 2012 contributed to the holding of peaceful elections.  I encourage the National Peace Council to continue its consultations towards the signing of a Peace Accord for peaceful elections in 2016.

The United Nations, no less than the citizens of Ghana, trust that the NPC will fulfil its mandate with dedication and commitment, and put to use its Members’ expertise and wisdom to promote tolerance, issues-based campaigns and patriotism that will, once again, lead to peaceful and credible elections.

Ghana has a well-deserved reputation for its democratic institutions. The United Nations and the international community remain available to provide the NPC with support to ensure the success of its mission, to build on this legacy and to further develop this democratic culture.

Leaving No One Behind:

Recognizing Older Survivors of Gender-Based Violence  

With most of the discussion about gender-based violence focused on women and girls of reproductive age, the particular vulnerability to gender-based violence of older women is often overlooked. This year, however, as work begins towards implementing Agenda 2030 and its commitment to “leave no one behind", the international community has a powerful opportunity to recognize and address the multiple forms of violence affecting older women.

Today, the United Nations commemorates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which calls attention to the often invisible abuse, violence, and neglect experienced by older persons—mostly women—throughout the world. Defined by the World Health Organization as harm to an older person age 60+ through any single or repeated act, elder abuse includes physical or sexual violence; emotional or financial abuse; and neglect and abandonment.  As a result of the cumulative impact of lifetime gender disparities, older women are particularly vulnerable to such abuse. 

This awareness is reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals, which is the first international framework that doesn’t put an age cap on the collection of data for intimate partner and sexual violence. Traditionally, globally comparable data has only been collected from women of reproductive age, or between 15 and 49. The indicators in SDG 5 on violence against women will measure the prevalence of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence among those “aged 15 and older,” paving the way for measurements of the experiences of violence of women of all ages.

UNDP supports partners to prevent and address gender-based violence and is working to address the needs of older women and support them to lead productive and creative lives.

Some examples include:

·         Working with Ministries of Health to train providers administering critical services, such as gender-based violence services and HIV testing, to change stigmatizing attitudes that act as barriers for older women to access care;

·         Supporting countries to create or revise National Action Plans on violence against women or gender-based violence to include older women as a key population impacted by violence, including by enacting laws criminalizing elder abuse or removing laws that prevent widows from inheriting land and property and leaves them more vulnerable to abuse. 

·         Enhancing the capacity of national statistical commissions to collect age and gender-disaggregated data for women past age 49.

With nearly one quarter of the global female population aged fifty or above, we will not succeed in preventing or adequately responding to gender-based violence if we don’t recognize and meet the needs of this population. Ensuring that women of all ages are included in all aspects of development and supported as contributors to their families, communities and nations will bring us closer to realizing the ideal of “leaving no one behind.”

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) has launched an initiative to protect water bodies and improve livelihoods in the three northern regions of Ghana.

Dubbed, the “Adaptation Fund” project, the initiative seeks to increase resilience to climate change through the management of water resources and diversification of livelihoods. It is being implemented through MESTI from April 2016 to April 2020, with a funding of more than US$ 8 million from the Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat.

Launching the project in Tamale, the sector Minister Hon. Mahama Ayariga said the project is expected to directly benefit about 60,000 people and additional 8 million people who live in the Volta River basin. “It will also increase access to water and diversification of livelihood activities and income generation by 30% households in the communities.”

On her part, the UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Christine Evans-Klock said international commitments to fighting climate change are linked directly to achieving the new sustainable development goals, which is one unified global commitment to social, economic and environmental development. “This initiative will contribute to Ghana’s achievement of, not only the SDG 13 on climate change, but also the attainment of the goals on poverty, hunger and access to clean water and improved sanitation”.

The Adaptation Fund Project is expected to benefit at least ten districts including Savelugu, Bole and Zabzagu in the Northern Region; Bawku Central, Bongo, Builsa North and Bawku West in the Upper East Region; and Nandom, Nadowli and Sisala East in the Upper West Region.

It will target the principal causes of vulnerability identified in these regions and offer support to improve water resources management planning through grassroot participation. It will also support the diversification of livelihoods within local communities as safety nets to climate change impacts.

Present at the launch were representatives of the Ministry, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority , UNDP,  the National Disaster Management Organization, Food and Agricultural Organization, World Food Programme and other traditional leaders.

The Adaptation Fund project will be fully owned by the Government of Ghana with technical assistance from UNDP.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) remains the most transparent aid organisation in the world, according to a leading global ranking released today.

The 2016 Aid Transparency Index today recognized UNDP as the leading aid organisation among 46 international agencies, representing 98 per cent of Official Development Flows. The index is produced by Publish What You Fund, a non-profit organisation that advocates for and measures transparency.

It is the second consecutive year that the UNDP has been ranked first in the index, which assesses the state of aid transparency among the world’s major donor organisations. 

The index is based on the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) standard, which sets a common global benchmark for publishing timely, forward-looking and comprehensive aid information.

“We are thrilled to be recognised for our commitment to transparency, which is at the core of our mission,” said Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator.

“UNDP was proud to be ranked number one during the last index, and our commitment to raising the bar has certainly not wavered since. We have continued to improve the way we report our data and are now able to share information on where our interventions are having an impact,” Helen Clark said.

“The developing countries we serve have a right to know how development funding is being used in their countries. All those who place funding through UNDP are also entitled to know how we are handling the monies entrusted to us.”

Currently 397 organisations are publishing information to the IATI Standard, including donor countries, multilateral organisations, foundations, private sector and national and international NGOs. More than 25 developing countries have endorsed the initiative and are active members in its governance. 

Among the UN system, 14 agencies already publish to the IATI Standard: IFAD, OCHA, OCHA-FTS, CERF, UN Women, UNCDF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNICEF, UNOPS, WFP and the World Bank, with firm commitments from UNEP, UNIDO and FAO to begin publishing within the year. 

“We congratulate UNDP for topping the Aid Transparency Index for the second time in a row. UNDP has become a leader in aid transparency and is setting a high bar for others to follow,” said Rupert Simons, CEO of Publish What You Fund.

As an original IATI signatory, UNDP began publishing to the global standard in 2011. Since then, it has consistently met international transparency standards, operating an innovative portal (open.undp.org) that details more than 5,000 of its development projects.