(5th meeting) Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS (Second regular session 2026)

Good morning, dear colleagues. I declare open the fifth meeting of the second regular session 2026 of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS. We will continue with the UNDP segment. We have the interactive dialogue with the UNDP Administrator. I'm pleased to welcome again at the podium, Mr. Alexander de Croo, the UNDP Administrator. Joining the Administrator at the podium, we have Mr. Howling Shu, Associate Administrator. We have Mrs. Linda McGuire, Assistant Administrator and Director, Bureau for Management Services. We have Mrs. Susan Brown, Assistant Administrator and Director, Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy. Mrs. Ivana Zivkovic, Assistant Administrator and Director, Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS. Ms. Kani Vignarajah, Assistant Administrator and Director, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific; and Ms. Michelle Muschet, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean. As per usual practice, we'll be listening to the Administrator and then we'll open the floor for comments. I'm pleased to give the floor to the Administrator, Mr. Alexander DeCru, please.

Mr. President, members of this Executive Board, and dear spectators, it's a privilege to be here to join you in this second regular session of the UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS Executive Board. Next month, it will be the 81st UN General Assembly. That General Assembly will happen in a deeply fractured world. more conflicts than ever, palpable climate pressure, fast changing technology, and overall, and maybe most importantly, a deep crisis of trust in institutions and in multilateralism. It should be clear, development is not at the sidelines of the things that I just mentioned. It is at the core of it. And I saw this recently. Recently, I visited Afghanistan together with Barham Salih, who's the High Commissioner for Refugees. And we saw how in Afghanistan, you have a combination of economic contraction, impact of climate change and of natural disasters such as earthquakes, millions of returnees, political turmoil, impacts that for one population, for one community, is almost unbearable. There, it is not just about restoring livelihoods. The solution is how do we connect communities? How do you connect people back to markets, to entrepreneurship? How do we connect them to financing? How do we connect them to international value chains? All these things that help people to get an income, to get perspective, to rebuild their futures. Yes, we have to save lives, but next to saving lives, we also have to rebuild futures. That can only happen if you have stability, and that can only happen when development can play its crucial role. And if we want to do this at scale, because I gave the example of Afghanistan, but unfortunately there's many places that are in this situation, development cannot be an afterthought. It needs to be part of global discussions, such as, for example, global discussions that will happen at UNGA next month. Today, The question that I would want to address during this executive board meeting is how do we develop the development model that works in the world of today with the resources that are needed to realize our objectives? For decades, the AIDS model has delivered real progress. It has really achieved something that humanity has never done. Over the past decades, extreme poverty has been halved. The reduction in child mortality is unseen. Aid has built institutions. It has improved the lives of millions of people. And of course, it was not only aid, it was also trade, it was also investment, that drove those gains. But aid built the foundations on which trade, investment, entrepreneurship, prosperity building has been able to thrive. That role of aid still matters today. But the world has changed. And if we, for example, look at realizing the sustainable development goals, It is clear that the financing that would come from aid is not sufficient to realize the sustainable development goals. And we also know that the fiscal space of governments today is limited. But that does not make aid less important. It makes the discussion on how we use it more important. It's not about aid would not play a role. It continues to play a very important role. But how do you use it and how do you use it in the most catalytic way? That is the real discussion. Development finance has changed. It is a discussion that was about aid, but it is now about how do you unlock investments? How do you unlock financing flows? The integrated national financing frameworks are a good example of looking at the full spectrum of financing. The question now is how do you use scarce public money in the most strategic way? How do you use it to strengthen institutions to reduce the risks? How do you use it to bring in larger flows of financing? It is today a moment where we see the ODA cuts. And I wouldn't expand too much on the reductions of ODA that we see. But $1 of development money can support one project. But $1 of development money invested in institutions, invested in strengthening systems, invested in reducing risks, that can support a multiple of projects and not just one project. That, to us, is the real discussion that you need to have. It's not a discussion of aid versus investments. The real discussion is how do we use development dollars to unlock as much investment as possible and how do we scale up what works today? And so what I would want to do in this introduction is to explore what does this mean for governments, what does this mean for the private sector, what does this mean for our own work, for example, in crisis, and what does it mean for UNDP as an organization. And let me start with what this means for governments. Countries that are able to mobilize resources and to be able to borrow, for example, it at fairer terms, it enables them to invest more and it enables them to better prioritize how they would want to use their finances. This is the UNDP approach. It is about supporting partners to raise more financing. It is about helping them to borrow in a better way And it is about sharing, helping them sharing what works. Let me start with raising more. Domestic public resources are the most sustainable way of financing development of a country. One of the examples where we have been doing this extremely successful over the past years is Tax Inspectors Without Borders of the OECD. Tax Inspectors Without Borders in total has been able to raise $2.7 billion of domestic taxation that otherwise would not have been mobilized. So this is one of the ways in which we help countries to raise more domestic public resources. Second element is to borrow and to borrow in a better way. What a country pays today for borrowing has a big impact on how you can finance development. The cost of capital of raising money is something which has a direct impact on how much you can invest and on how you can allocate those investments. Today, too often, countries are paying a premium on what they borrow. because of the perception of risk instead of the reality of risk. UNDP is working together with governments to strengthen their credit rating and to help them in raising, for example, sustainable development bonds. An initiative such as the African Credit Ratings Initiative is a very concrete one where we help countries in just making sure that the evaluation of their creditworthiness is the correct one, is based on real data, and not based on a perception that would often be identified far away from the reality of everyday. Borrowing money at fair terms is one of the key elements of helping countries in financing their own development. Third element, I talked about raising more, borrowing better. Third element is sharing what works. Today, expertise should be flowing in all directions throughout the world. And we have great examples. I mean, I talked about Tax Inspectors Without Borders, very active in Colombia over the past years, super successful in making it work. Today, the Colombian tax administration is working together with the one of Guatemala in helping them to better organize their taxation system. This is how development in the world should work. It's looking at what works And then altogether seeing on how we can exchange that as much as possible. South-South cooperation is for us a key element in scaling development models throughout the world of which we know that they work. So in sum, raising more, borrowing better, and sharing more of what works, this is what leads to development that is owned, by the partner countries with whom we work. And it is one of the foundations of the new development model that UNDP is putting forward. However, we know that domestic public resources, they cannot cover everything. I mentioned the SDG gap. To cover the SDG gap, we will also have to look at other sources of financing. Today, If you look throughout the world, growth and the growth towards prosperity, it runs on private capital. It runs on access to technology. It runs on making markets function. And it runs on being part of the global value chain. Domestically, we see that growth works and that prosperity can be created But the domestic success is really connected to what happens in the rest of the world. That is why attracting private capital matters. It is more than just funding. It is more than just attracting funding. It is one way in which you connect the priorities and the opportunities of a country to realizing them and to realizing them in a successful way. When I say realizing them in a successful way, that means that it is done in a fair way. That means that it is done in a well-directed way. If it is fair and well-directed, it's an incredible accelerator for progress and for prosperity. But policy has a role to play in that, to make sure that it is well-directed and that it is fair. This is what you are doing with one of our flagship products, which is our investment accelerator. Our investment accelerator is a program where we connect capital with the ambitions of a country, with the priorities of a country, and with the opportunities that are there. This is how we connect development into job creation. This is how you connect it into income generation, and this is how you connect it to creating prosperity in a country. We do this in three steps. First of all, you have to build confidence. If you want to attract financing that supports development, that happens when there is a certain level of stability. If there is uncertainty, if there is unclarity, We know that this is a big obstacle in attracting development. This is why we work together with countries to create that type of conducive environment. We do this in many places, but maybe one of the most successful places where we have been doing this over the past years was in Vietnam. The capital for green investment was available. but the capital was not flowing because the market risk was being seen as too high. UNDP, together with our partners from Vietnam, has created a regulatory environment, a regulatory framework, market infrastructure that enabled afterwards for that financing to flow. We have to be clear, UNDP did not provide the financing. But we helped to create the confidence that enabled the financing from other partners to flow. Secondly, it is not only by creating a stable environment that projects get financed. This does not go automatically. Very often, we also have to look at how do you make projects bankable? How do you create investment pipelines? And this is especially the case in high-risk environments and in investments which you would call the last mile investments. This is where more than ever we work together with an organization such as UNCDF, UN Capital Development Fund. UNDP is creating the conditions in which investments can take place, UNCDF is structuring investments, is taking early calculated risk to prove that markets do function. That partnership between UNDP and UNCDF is now becoming more concrete into our policy to capital pooled fund, a pooled fund which is targeting 500 million US dollar. A combination of two very different skills. UNDP more on the policy side, on the stabilizing side, UNCDF in providing this first type of capital which can absorb part of the risk, but very often proves that markets do function and that the risk is actually manageable. We also do this, for example, through SDG investor maps. SDG Investor Maps have lined up hundreds of investment opportunities, which are across countries, across SDGs, across different sectors. Has been very successful. One example is in Serbia, this investor map has been able to identify 8.3 billion of direct investable potential, leading to in total more than 20 billion of impact that it could have in a broader range and on a more specific topic, In Nigeria, this has helped to unlock 15 million of investment that is directly going to projects linked to SDGs and specifically to female-owned SMEs. Third element is about technology. In my introduction, I talked about the impact that technology has today. We know that artificial intelligence is changing economies. It is changing competitiveness. We need to make sure that technology and artificial intelligence is not the next element that is creating a gap, that is creating division in our world. This is why we are part of the $10 billion AI initiative for Africa, which we do together with the African Development Bank, which is creating a pipeline of African investable AI project. This is why we also work on the Nairobi AI Forum, which has the potential to raise 50 million of direct venture capital going into SMEs, which are and startups which are investing in artificial intelligence. In some, we are not we are making sure that the future of AI is not designed for developing countries. We're making sure that it is built together with you, not for you, but together with you. And we know that the priorities could be different and even AI needs to be adapted to the different environments in which we work. We do this together with you. We also do this together with private partner players such as Samsung, Hewlett-Packard and Mastercard, where we are specifically working on expanding digital inclusion and expanding entrepreneurship. This leads, for example, in a project in Turkey, where together with private partners, we are specifically connecting producers with entrepreneurs, with small businesses into digital markets and into digital value chains. This is the financing and the development model that we are building. Governments set priorities and provide initial financing. Private capital brings the scale. The private sector turns innovation into jobs and into growth. And development is connecting all these different elements together based on national priorities, based on inclusiveness, and making sure that it is fair and accessible for everyone. Crisis environments are a case in point in why this model needs to be expanded as fast as possible. And crisis situations, unfortunately, we see them every day. We have I think many of you learned about the flash floods taking place on the border between China and Nepal, and really our full sympathy is with that many people who are touched by catastrophe such as that, which is still developing for the moment. Investing in development, and I think this is a case in point, is also investing in human security. More than 50% of the work that UNDP is doing is taking place in fragile settings. And humanitarian action is saving lives. Humanitarian action is vital, for example, in circumstances that I just explained. But alongside the saving lives that humanitarian action is bringing, development has to start rebuilding from the start to make sure that recovery can take place as fast as possible. From the start, you need to invest in services. You need to invest in revitalizing institutions. You need to invest in making local markets work again. You need to invest in attracting future investment. And it might sound maybe a bit counterintuitive. At the moment of disaster, the first priority should be saving lives. Yes. Definitely. But if you want that crisis setting not to be perpetual, from the start, you need to have a longer term perspective of rebuilding. That rebuilding cannot happen if you do not invest from the development side from the start. It is not a choice between humanitarian action and development. Both need to happen from the start. And this is the perspective that we have in our moving beyond crisis approach. It puts development at the heart of crisis response. And it makes sure that humanitarian resources can stay focused from the start on saving lives. And it makes also sure that development can from the start invest in resilience. And of course, we do not do this on our own. We do this together with many other partners, and the international financial institutions are a key partner in that. in bringing financing to places that very often investment would not see because of the fragility in which it takes place. One example where this is happening today is in Ukraine. And in Ukraine, UNDP has been supporting other partners, with other partners, in unlocking 1.6 billion of US dollar of recovery investment from the European Investment Bank, with a huge return. One dollar invested in this leverages in total $70 in infrastructure recovery. Early support pays itself times and times over again. And this is one example of how we do this, but we also do this through pooled funding. Pooled funding, which is hugely successful in creating that leverage effect that I just mentioned. This is what moving beyond crisis means. It is connecting immediate recovery to long-term resilience, to prevention and to preparedness, which is crucial to avoid that crisis would be perpetuated. But this can only work, this type of approach, where organizations such as UNDP come in early and have early on that perspective of longer-term resilience, it can only work if we have access to core funding and to flexible funding. A crisis does not wait for the next funding cycle. And if people in crisis have to wait for the next funding cycle, we're putting them in a vulnerability situation on top of the vulnerability in which they already are. Core funding enables us to act early, to respond immediately, and to mobilize the additional financing, which is so crucial. I've talked a lot about financing and I will conclude afterwards on the topic of financing. But in the end, what we do, that financing enables people to work. It is people who are active in communities. It is people that on a daily basis make the difference. And we at UNDP have an incredible team working together with many other incredible people from other organizations. And one of these is UN Volunteers, because UN Volunteers enables us to work at the local level. The majority of people who are in UN Volunteer system are local people who know the circumstances, who know how to address the problems that we are doing. We deliver when we can work with local people and UN Volunteers is one of the key players in helping us with that. Next topic is how we change as UNDP. How do we make sure that we are fit for that changing future and that changing development model that I just described? World is changing, development is changing, That means that institutions such as UNDP need to change as well. In summary, we cannot build the development model of tomorrow on an institution that is modelized on yesterday's operational model. And that means that we as UNDP need to change how we partner, we need to change how we finance, we need to change how we work together with others. Every change is with the objective of strengthening our delivery and building on the trust that is being placed into us. This is also the ambition of UNAT and we had plenty of time yesterday to discuss on UNAT How do we make sure that it serves those objectives? We talked about how we reduce duplication. We talked about how we are sharper in our spending. We talked about how we expand shared services, and we talked about how we invest in technology and AI for our own operations. And we also have looked at new partners. New strategic partners today represent 350 million of funding, funding that today is going way beyond the traditional programmatic financing that we had. And we have, over the past years, expanded the possibilities for flexible funding. Today, UNDP is the largest partner in intra-agency pooled funds and our MPTFO organization is hosted by UNDP. And so pooled funding, flexible funding is something in which we have invested quite a bit over the past year. The flexible funding, which has a very high return and the highest multiplicator effect of the funding that you could bring for very specific types of investment. We have also been doing that in our portfolio approach. Portfolio approach that enables us to move beyond projects. UNDP is in total, on average, doing 5,000 projects in parallel on a yearly basis. Those projects are incredibly valuable, but they become even more valuable when you can connect the dots, when you can translate those projects into an integrated approach, when you can translate it into policies. And this is what we call portfolios, portfolios based on coherent strategy. not on isolated projects, but on a way of integrating them. One of the best examples of this type of portfolio approach is what we are doing in government development finance. Today, this represents 1.6 billion of our delivery. 29% of what we do is working together with the governments of the countries in which we are present. based on their own priorities, based on their own needs, based on their own political direction that they set, but leveraging the policy, the technical, the implementation expertise that we have. And we're extremely grateful for the partnerships that we have, and we see many of those partnerships growing in the years to come. Types of partnerships that we also have with international financial institutions, where we are moving beyond the position of being a project implementer and really deepening our coordination. Policy reform, financial strategy, investment pipelines, this is typically what we do. And we are finalizing a cooperation framework with the World Bank where we will be working together in those more upstream parts of unlocking investments. We also do that together with the EBRD, with the IAAB, with European Investment Bank, with many partners, where we look at how we connect innovation, technology and scale. This is how we modernize our partnerships. This is how we find complementary skills. And this is where we need our next generation of people for. You might know that we have an HR strategy which is called People for 2030. People for 2030 is amongst other things looking at the skills that we need in the years to come, to make sure that we are ready to work in that new environment. And I said how, besides financing, human talent is really the scarce resource on which we work. This, dear members of the board, dear president, is a discussion that I hope we can have together with you. How do we generate impact? How do we respond to country priorities? How do we balance the need for risk, but also the need for mitigating risks as much as possible together with innovation? How do we make sure that we can remain that indispensable, trustable partner? Mr. President, members of the board, let me conclude. There was a recent Moopan assessment and it recognized real progress on the side of UNDP, and we had the occasion to discuss this report together with many of you. That report said that UNDP had done its homework, that it is becoming stronger, that it is becoming more agile, that it is becoming more effective, including, for example, in our audit and independent evaluation. But There is one constraint which we cannot reform our way around, and that is funding. I want to be clear. We cannot keep absorbing the decline in core funding without eroding what you rely on from us. Our ability to act early, our ability to innovate, our ability to build partnerships that unlock far bigger volumes of investment. Core funding is not simply a contribution. It is catalytic capital for development. And I would like to thank all 32 member states who contributed to core last year, and especially those who contributed early in the year that timely supports let us plan ahead and it helps us to act fast. Every core dollar is mobilizing roughly $10 in additional resources. Core funding lets us stay present when conditions deteriorate, work in those places where the risks are the highest, invest early when crises grow in a very costly way, and turn isolated projects into portfolios with a real impact. Core is the platform that lets us deliver. But that cuts both ways. If the decline in core continues, that platform will start to crumble, and we risk losing as much as 40% of the impact that we have today on the people for whom we deliver. Colleagues, next month, the General Assembly will probably ask whether multilateralism can still deliver. And our answer must be very clear. Yes, multilateralism definitely can still deliver. But only if we are able to deliver results that people can feel in their daily lives. For these results, we need enough core funding. Not necessarily more funding, but more core funding. So my appeal to this board is very simple. Protect that foundation on which we work. Protect that foundation on which so much of development work is being based. protect the flexible, predictable resources that allow UNDP to act early, to innovate, and to deliver. I'm convinced that you share this thought, and I hope we can work together further on this. Thank you. Before we go into the dialogue, I know you have been impatient in this interaction. I would want to inform the board, but it's not just inform. It's really a message of thanks to changes that we have in our directorship of regional bureaus. two persons that have and are leaving UNDP, and that really I would like take this moment to thank you. First of all, at the end of July, the mandate of Ahuna Sjeconwa, who is the regional director of our Africa Bureau, came to an end. And Ahuna has been leading our Africa Bureau for eight years. for eight years in which she has had an incredible impact based on hard work, based on very strong partnerships with many of you. The process to appoint someone who is replacing her is underway. And until then, Aisatade, who is sitting in the back, is replacing her, but she really has big shoes to fill. At the end of November, Ms. Kani Wijnaaraya, who is here sitting there, who has been for 30 years at UNDP, will pass the torch as a regional director for Asia and for the Pacific. Kani, you've had an incredible impact on UNDP. You were an incredible leader of the Asia Pacific Bureau and so many things in which we are involved. I think I can speak in the name of many that you will be missed and we will be working together with the executive office of the Secretary General to organize the recruitment of the successor. We really would like to ask all of you to thank both of them with an applause for the incredible work that both have done.

Thank you, Mr. Administrator, and thanks also to the colleagues leaving and have been dedicating their work to UNDP. I've been listening to your statement, and of course, for member states, not only within the board, but also within your membership, we sometimes forget that UNDP stands for the United Nations Development Program. And we discussed quite a lot about development and the philosophy and how we conceptualize this important work in many of our conversations. And listening to you, not only this board, but I think in other interactions, we member states, we do value this important work that UNDP is doing. It's probably the most consistent, coherent and integrated policy and approach to development that also creates capacity building in member states many member states benefiting we keep hearing about this important input in in our meetings not only in the board but also at the uh at other un meetings um it's very much important and I think it's also encouragements uh encouragement for us for member states not to lose sight of how we can contaminate further let's say in a positive sense the uh multilateral system and impregnated with this important work that UNDP is doing. So I do value myself that important contribution and it's an investment that pays off at the end of the day. We will now open the floor for comments and statements. I'm not going to repeat the protocol just to remind you that we have time limitations for and it will be observed strictly this time. I'm not going to encourage because we have about 40 something requests for the floor. So group statements, five minutes sharp, individual statements, three minutes sharp. If you can do in less, it's even better. But we'll try to take it through the end of this session. We start with the Bureau members and then groups and then of course individual statements. Without further ado, I'm going to read you the first few speakers. We have Zambia on behalf of the African group and Finland, which is also a Bureau member. And then we have groups, Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China, Nepal on behalf of the LDC, the Philippines on behalf of a like-minded group for middle-income countries, and then we'll continue with the rest. I give them the floor to Zambia. Vice President of the Board on behalf of the African Group, you have the floor, please.

Mr. President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Africa Group. The Africa Group thanks the Administrator for his comprehensive statement and for outlining UNDP's vision for adapting its development model to a rapidly changing global environment. We welcome the emphasis on national ownership, strong institutions, South to South cooperation, technology and financing for development. We also welcome the recognition that development must remain central to building prosperity, resilience and stability. The Africa Group takes note of the shift from aid towards investment and agrees that development resources should help unlock financing at scale. However, this transition must remain development-led, inclusive and additional. Investment cannot replace ODA, concessional finance, or predictable core resources, particularly for African countries, LDCs, fragile and conflict-affected countries, and other structurally constrained economies. We would welcome greater clarity on how UNDP will ensure that its investment-oriented approach does not disproportionately favor countries and sectors which where private capital is easiest to mobilize. African countries, especially LDCs and fragile states, must remain at the center of this development. Mr. President, as the administrator rightly noted, the cost of borrowing shapes countries' development choices. Yet African countries continue to face high financing costs driven by perceived rather than actual risk. We welcome UNDP's focus on this issue. particularly through the Africa Credit Ratings Initiative and support for stronger data systems engagement with credit rating agencies. We encourage UNDP to expand this support to help African countries address sovereign risk perceptions, strengthen domestic capital markets, expand access to affordable long-term finance, and translate the Seville financing commitments into concrete opportunities. We take note of initiatives such as the Investment Accelerator, SDG investor maps and the UNDP UNCDF policy to capital approach. For Africa, the key question is how these tools will generate additional access to and measurable financing at the country level. We would welcome further information on how African countries can benefit from these instruments. We welcome UNDP's focus on AI and Africa's digital transformation, including the AI 10 billion initiative co-designed with the African Development Bank and the new AI venture capital platform. To deliver meaningful impact, these efforts must strengthen Africa's digital infrastructure, skills, data ecosystem, and innovation capacity, enabling African countries to participate meaningfully in and derive value from emerging AI economy. We would appreciate further clarity on financing, implementation, and expected country-level impact of the AI 10 billion initiative. Mr. President, We take note of UNDP's efforts to adapt under the UN 80 and constrained funding environment, including measures to improve efficiency and maximize development impact. While we support these reforms, efficiency should not come at the expense of country presence, technical expertise or responsiveness to national priorities, particularly in countries with special situations. We therefore stress the importance of maintaining stock country level capacity and continued engagement with the executive board. The group remains concerned about the continued decline in core and flexible resources, which are essential for UNDP to respond effectively to country priorities, drive innovation, act early in crisis, and leverage additional financing. We therefore support renewed commitments to adequate, predictable and flexible core funding. While government development financing reached nearly $1.6 billion in 2025, representing 29% of total contributions, this growth must be viewed against limited fiscal space, rising debt burdens and competing development needs across many African countries. National ownership must not be equated with national financing. While program countries should continue to lead their development agendas, international solidarity, ODA, concessional financing, and adequate co-contributions remain essential. Mr. President, we look forward to continuing.

-- Thank you very much. That's also a solution to have a strong voice without using the microphone, right? Thank you. I now give the floor to the Vice President from Finland to be followed by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China. Finland, you have the floor, please.

President, Administrator, we wish to thank you, Administrator Decro, for your powerful statement and clear vision on how we use aid in a more catalytic and most strategic way. The message is clear, development plays a critical role in shaping the future of societies and our planet. With clock ticking fast towards 2030, we need to have all hands on deck, development and investments, and accelerate progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals. We appreciate UNDP's continued commitment to shaping the future of development. by exploring new ways of working together in advancing transformative changes. And we agree, we must reflect on the role of governments. With public funding under increasing pressure, stacking up efforts in building new innovative partnerships and mobilizing finance is more important than ever. Supporting developing countries in domestic resource mobilization should be one of our key priorities. We heard you. Finland continues to support the OECD UNDP Tax Inspectors Without Borders initiative. The initiative demonstrates how relatively modest investments in strengthened capacity of tax administrations can catalyse substantial and sustainable domestic revenues. So let me focus on that. In our view, UNDP is uniquely positioned to embed tax cooperation within broader governance, public finance and institutional reforms. It plays a key role in aligning and leveraging revenues towards the SDGs. We have seen this in Africa, where stronger tax administrations have significantly improved revenue mobilization, and in Ukraine, where tax capacity directly links to fiscal resilience. At a time of constrained ODA budgets, This initiative, which combines technical assistance with systemic impact on sustainable financing, is more important than ever. We value UNDP's role in seeking ways to use development resources strategically in unlocking investments, creating opportunities and scaling successful solutions. We are pleased to note your increased engagement with the private sector as a strategic partner. Finally, we recognize that UNDP is adjusting its approach to development in a rapidly changing world, amidst the UN 80 reform. We appreciate your active engagement and contributions in reforming the UN development system to become more coherent and efficient. Thank you.

I thank Finland for the statement. I give the floor to Uruguay, speaking on behalf of the G77 and China, to be followed by Nepal on behalf of the LDC group. Uruguay, please. Could you please just press the microphone? Yes, just press the microphone and then it will be activated. Thank you.

Mr. President, I think the time allocated, okay, thank you. Mr. President, distinguished members of the board, UNDP administrator, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the G77 and China. Mr. Administrator, the group of the G77 and China appreciates your comprehensive statement and reiterates its full and continued support to the vision and direction outlined in the UNDP strategic plan. As the largest end-to-end UN development organization, UNDP is a crucial partner in enhancing and accelerating assistance to developing countries in implementing their respective sustainable development priorities and supporting their efforts to achieve them through collaboration with the resident coordinators. The Group of 77 and China reiterated its grave concern about the 23.3% decline in official development assistance in 2025 with a further decline of 6.9% projected for the 2026. The group is also concerned about the 27% decline in core contributions to the United Nations system in 2025, the largest annual decline on record, and extends its sincere appreciation to all 32 member states that contributed core resources in 2025. The group reiterates its longstanding call for a significant increase in core contributions, Urging all development partners to reverse the current trajectory by providing adequate, predictable and flexible funding, which is indispensable to achieving the objectives of the UNDP strategic plan. At the same time, the group recognizes that more than ever it is essential to ensure that every aid dollar is used as effectively and impactfully as possible and welcomes efforts undertaken to reduce duplication and improve efficiency within the UNDP and across the system in the context of the UNAT initiative. As we approach The final years for implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the Group of the 77 and China stresses that the United Nations development system must intensify support to program countries to accelerate progress in line with their national priorities. This requires the timely and effective implementation of the Seville commitment, strengthen multilateral cooperation, fulfillment of official development assistance commitments, technology transfer and capacity building support, enhance access to concessional financing, debt sustainability measures and determination of unilateral coercive measures that undermine member states capacities to achieve sustainable development and constrain UNDP ability to effectively deliver its mandate on the ground. Mr. Administrator, as you rightly acknowledged today, developing countries are making significant efforts to invest their own national budgets through UNDP, with government development financing reaching nearly $1.6 billion in 2025 and now representing 29% of UNDP's total contributions. Bearing in mind that public resources are already under increasing pressure and that international financing required to achieve national development priorities and the sustainable development goals goes far beyond what traditional aid alone is delivering in the current political context, the Group of 77 and China appreciates your commitment to advancing a new model of development partnerships that strengthens South-South cooperation and mobilizes the private sector as strategic partner for development, including through initiatives such as the UNDP flagship investment accelerator and the SDG investor maps. Amid a challenging development landscape and the multiple global crises we are currently facing, The Group of 77 and China wishes to reaffirm its full support for you and your efforts to adapt and strengthen the development system based on national ownership, creative international partnerships, and renewed trust through greater coordination and cost efficiencies, as well as measurable results and deliverables for member states. I thank you.

I thank Uruguay for the statement on behalf of the G77 and China. I give the floor to Nepal to be on behalf of the LDC group to be followed by the Philippines. Nepal, please, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President, UNDP Administrator, dear colleagues. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the group of the least developed countries. The LDC group thanks the Administrator for his substantive remarks and expresses its appreciation to UNDP for its continued commitment to supporting the cause of the LDCs. We recognize that UNDP's strategic plan 2026-2029 that focuses on prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience, and a healthy planet underpinned by digital transformation, gender equality, and sustainable finance is closely aligned with the priorities and development realities of the LDCs. The LDC Group reaffirms that the special needs and priorities of LDCs must remain at the center of UNDP programming. financing, policy support, and capacity building efforts. We acknowledge that UNDP continues to play a unique role in LDCs through its country presence, policy expertise, and operational support. Beyond program delivery, it has helped strengthen institutions, mobilize partnership, and support integrated solutions to complex development challenges. The group remains concerned by the continued decline in development financing and the pressure on flexible and core resources. We are particularly concerned that these trends could weaken support at a time when LDCs require greater assistance to accelerate recovery, build resilience, and advance structural transformation. We therefore encourage UNDP to safeguard its country-level capacity and continue providing integrated, country-driven support aligned with national priorities and cooperation frameworks. In this context, Mr. President, the group would like to underscore the following points. First, we encourage UNDP to further strengthen support for the implementation of the Doha Program of Action. The upcoming DPUA midterm review in Doha next year presents an important opportunity to accelerate progress, address persistent implementation gaps, and mobilize renewed international support for LDCs. We stress continued alignment of country programs and financing strategies with DPUA priorities. Second, productive capacity development, economic transformation, and sustainable graduation must remain at the forefront of UNDP support. LDCs require enhanced assistance for infrastructure development, energy access, digital transformation, trade capacity, value addition, and institution building. These investments are essential to ensuring sustainable growth, employment creation, and successful graduation pathways. Third, we welcome UNDP's strong emphasis on resilience building and crisis prevention. For LDCs, development is the first line of defense against instability and vulnerability. We therefore call for expanded support for climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and locally led resilience building. Fourth, we encourage UNDP to deepen its support for sustainable finance, domestic resource mobilization, and debt sensitive development planning. Many LDCs face shrinking fiscal space and rising debt service burdens that constrain investment in development priorities. Extend and support in this. areas remains critical. Finally, we underline the importance of digital transformation and robust data systems. Investment in digital public infrastructure, connectivity, statistical capacity, and digital skills can help LDCs accelerate development and improve public service delivery. Such efforts should contribute to narrowing rather than widening existing digital divides. In closing, Mr. President, predictable and flexible funding remains essential for effective development cooperation. We therefore reiterate the importance of regular resources in enabling UNDP to deliver integrated, impartial and country-driven support, particularly in countries furthest behind. The LDC Group also reiterates its support for ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and coherence across the United Nations development system. We underscore that reforms must extend and not diminish development capacity in programme countries, and efficiency gains should translate into stronger country support, improved expertise and better development outcomes on the ground. In this regard, we would welcome hearing from the Administrator how UNDP intends to implement its strategic plan in LDCs under current financing constraints, while ensuring that reforms continue to support country level delivery, DPOA implementation and sustainable graduation efforts. The LDC Group looks forward to continuing its partnership with UNDP, including in the lead up to DPOA midterm review to advance sustainable development and ensure that no LDC is left behind. And in my national capacity, I just wish to add a word of appreciation and gratitude to UNDP administrator for the kind message of sympathy and solidarity as you face it another devastating natural calamity. And so far, 16 people have been reported dead and over Around 400 people are reported missing, among which 291 are foreign nationals. So we, the people in Nepal, are confident that with the support and solidarity of the international community and our national efforts,

we will be able to overcome this tragedy. Indeed, our condolences as well. We are seeing the news coming from Nepal, the floods affecting and killing for the time being 72 already. civilians, which is very tragic. So please accept our condolences and compassion. I also want to thank you for the statement that you delivered on behalf of the LDCs. And we continue with the Philippines on behalf of the like-minded group. And then we will be hearing from Cuba, Germany, India, Rwanda, Cote d'Ivoire. give the floor to the Philippines on behalf of the like-minded group for middle-income countries.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Condolences and sympathies also to the government and people of Nepal. Administrator De Croo, Excellencies, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the like-minded group for middle-income countries composed of Armenia, Belarus, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and my country, the Philippines. The group welcomes this interactive dialogue as an affirmation of UNDP's commitment to deliver on the development agenda on the ground and advancing nationally led sustainable development efforts across middle income countries. The LMG mix reassures UNDP of its partnership in ensuring that development remains, as the Administrator mentioned, at the center of global decision-making, and that the UN development system continues to deliver results amidst the many challenges that have put strains on multilateralism. As reaffirmed in the Makati Declaration, the repositioned UN development system continues to play an important role in supporting the development pathways and transitions of middle income countries. We count on UN country teams, including the UNDP, to leverage their convening power, partnerships, and expertise to help sustain development gains, address structural vulnerabilities, and accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals. In this regard, the group continues to advance two key priorities. First, the development of a comprehensive system-wide response plan for middle-income countries, and secondly, the elaboration of a strategic plan of action for MICs. The LMG MICs welcomes UNDP's efforts to advance the UNAD initiative as an opportunity to strengthen a more integrated, responsive, and country-driven UN development system, one that is better equipped to support countries' diverse development pathways. Against this backdrop, allow me to emphasize the following points. First, we must ensure that country configurations remain responsive to the evolving realities and specific needs of middle-income countries and avoid one-size-fits-all approaches. We support continued work as mandated by resolution 72/279 towards transparent and objective criteria developed in consultation with host governments that respond to national priorities, capacities and development context. Second, rationalization should not result in standardized approaches that may affect country engagement and governments access to UN entities on the ground. We stress that national ownership must remain the cornerstone of future UN country configurations. Third, UNAD should contribute to a more balanced and sustainable funding architecture that enables the UN development system to respond to specific challenges faced by middle income countries. We therefore support a healthy funding mix built upon a strong core funding base and complemented by thematic pooled and flexible earmarked resources, each serving distinct and complementary purposes. Fourth, We expect that UN country teams and the UNDP remain focused on enabling access to concessional financing, innovative and green technologies, renewable energy, infrastructure, climate action, and digital transformation. We underscore, as also the administrator mentioned this morning, the catalytic role of South-South and triangular cooperation in advancing these priorities. Lastly, Mr. President, the UNDP's wide and far-reaching country presence, policy expertise and long-standing partnerships with our governments place it in a unique and special position to support implementation of nationally owned development goals. We therefore count on the UNDP's continued support in advancing work towards elaboration of a strategic plan of action for middle income countries. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the Philippines on behalf For the statement on behalf of the LAMINDA Group for Middle Income Countries, I give the floor to Cuba, to be followed by Germany.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, we would like to join the condolences expressed to the government and people of Nepal and know that you have our total solidarity in this painful moment. We would like to thank Mr. Alexandre Ducru for his presentation. Thank you, Administrator of UNDP. He was a scribe to the statement made by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China. We would like to reiterate our recognition of the historic contribution that UNDP has made to promoting sustainable development and we would like to thank Mr Fernando Giraldo, the resident representative of UNDP in Cuba for his wonderful work. UNDP continues to be an essential ally for Cuba's development in strategic areas such as our energy mix, access to water and water resource monitoring, support to our healthcare system and humanitarian responses in the face of natural disasters. Cuba values UNDP's support as a genuine expression of multilateralism and we affirm our commitment to jointly implementing the new country program. The UNDP's effort to have an impact on the sustainable development of the country face on a daily basis the impact of the US blockade, which today has been taken to unprecedented levels. Secondary sanctions have forced shipping companies, international shipping companies, to suspend their operations, affecting up to 60% of maritime traffic of containers toward Cuba. And as a consequence, the logistical supply chain that sustains cooperation with the programme. As a result of this, a dozen UNDP containers are being held in ports across the region. Cuba has been unable to receive these shipments, which include critical medical supplies and supplies for producing medications, over 16,000 rechargeable lamps, 5,000 tarps to replenish our humanitarian reserves, over 1,500 mattresses and structures for 560 modules for shelter and housing. Therefore, the United States is preventing the arrival of vital resources for the well-being of our population and is reinforcing the collective punishment meted out against my country. In the midst of this complex scenario, Cuba will continue banking on its sustainable development and strengthening its ties to the UNDP. We highly value the contribution of the UNDP to countries in the implementation of their national priorities. With only four years to go for the deadline of Agenda 2030, and in the midst of a disheartening outlook, the UNDP is critical to help countries translate commitments into tangible results. For this, it is vital to provide it with sufficient, predictable and sustainable resources that allow it to fully uphold its mandate and effectively respond to growing challenges as well as the specific development needs of each nation. I thank you.

I thank Cuba for the statement. I give the floor to Germany to be followed by India.

President, First of all, let me join others in expressing my solidarity with Nepal and condolences to the victims and their families. Administrator Decroo, dear Alexander, thank you very much for this interactive dialogue and for laying out in your remarks how UNDP is adapting to its model, its development model to a difficult and getting more difficult financing environment. We need reforms, you know that. We support UNAT, which encompasses the UN funds and programs as well, and we need reforms in challenging times and multifaceted pressures. Let me make a few points and a few questions we have as well. We share your concern about the continued decline in core resources. Maintaining overall revenue through earmarked and government co-financing cannot substitute for predictable core funding. Core resources are essential for UNDP's integrator role for accountability and oversight and for acting early in crises. And that's why Germany increased its core contribution despite severe budget constraints. Secondly, we welcome the positive MOPAN assessment, but at the same time, MOPAN points to the need for further strength and performance and results-based management. And I would be grateful if you could elaborate a little bit how UNDP will use these findings to demonstrate measurable results more systematically. Thirdly, we welcome your emphasis on early recovery and development from day one in crisis settings. In this spirit, Germany is preparing a contribution of 10 million euros to the UN Palestine Recovery Trust Fund. We see the fund as part of broader support for the United Nations critical role in the Palestinian territory for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2803 and the peace plan for Gaza and as part of the new Team Europe initiative for early recovery of Gaza. And we would welcome your views on how UNDP will ensure that the fund delivers quickly, transparently and in close coordination with the wider UN system and partners on the ground. Finally, fourth, we remain concerned about UNDP's announced intention to opt out of the Joint Inspection Unit system-wide review on challenges in financing and given UNDP's central role in the UN development system, full cooperation with agreed oversight to our mind is essential. So if you could explain a little bit on that point, we would appreciate it. And having said all this, I would like to assure you and others here that Germany remains committed to a strong effective and accountable UNDP. Thank you very much.

I thank Germany for the statement. I give the floor now to India, to be followed by Rwanda. Ambassador, you have the floor.

Mr. President, we thank Administrator Decroo for his comprehensive statement. We acknowledge the outstanding contributions of ASG Ahuna and ASG Kani Vignarajah as they leave UNDP after years of dedicated service. Thank you very much for all you have done for our region. The administrator has ably outlined today's operational environment for UNDP. India commends UNDP's efforts to align its structures, footprint, workforce and operating model to today's realities. India maintains that the development pillar must remain the top priority under the UNAD initiative with a continued focus on strengthening support to countries of the global south. However, we must not try to fix something that isn't broke. We thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership on this account and for leading the board and all members in discussing the UNAD initiative and its impact on UNDP. India has been a strong advocate for promoting investments in livelihoods, institutions, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social protection through its various domestic initiatives. We collaborate closely with UNDP as we take some of these experiences to friends and partners in the global south. India advocates for a more holistic, inclusive and sustainable economic growth model with emphasis on national ownership and country-led development pathways. We appreciate UNDP's growing engagement with governments as co-investors in their own development, reflected in the rise of government development financing. India also maintains that solutions cannot be dictated from outside. Instead, they must be introduced by Member States and driven by their national priorities, capacities and circumstances. We emphasize that the development priorities set by partner nations must be fully respected and calls for multilateral assistance should stay aligned with each country's specific needs. Mr. President, India values its close collaboration with UNDP in operationalizing the India UN Development Partnership Fund and the India Brazil South Africa Fund, the IBSA Fund. Through these two funds, we have committed over $150 million to advance digital infrastructure, health, and climate resilience with special focus on LDCs and SIDS. This reflects South-South cooperation, which as Administrator noted, is a new model of partnership, one that enables developing countries to share knowledge, connect capabilities, mobilize more of their own resources, and access capital on better terms. We also note the problem of funding and the sharp decline in core funding to the UN development system as a whole. We reaffirm that India is a consistent core contributor to UNDP and encourage other partners to contribute through domestic public resources and strengthen the core funding, enabling UNDP to act early, innovate and deliver at scale. In conclusion, we reaffirm our commitment to multilateral cooperation and look forward to working constructively with UNDP, the UNFPA, and the UNOPS in advancing the 2030 agenda. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank India for the statement. I give the floor to Rwanda, to be followed by Cote d'Ivoire, Nauru, Sweden, Bangladesh. Rwanda, please, Ambassador, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President and Mr. Administrator. I join you and colleagues to express our condolences to the government and the people of Nepal. One aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and the LDC group. And the African group wishes to offer the following remarks in its national capacity. We thank the UNDP administrator for his statement and for his leadership of UNDP and at a particular consequential moment for international development cooperation. Mr. President, Rwanda is concerned by the scale and speed of the contraction in development finance described before us. The figures are stark. Official development assistance declined by 23.1% in 2025, noted as the largest fall on record. During that same period, UNDP's core funding declined by 24%. These are not merely financial adjustments. They represent a significant hurt in the resources available to developing countries, precisely when financing needs, debt burdens, climate vulnerabilities, and development challenges are increasing. Equally concerning is the continued erosion of UNDP's core resources. Core funding now represents less than one-tenth of UNDP's overall resources, far below the ambitions set under the funding compact. For Rwanda, this raises a fundamental question about the development model we collectively expect UNDP to sustain. We expect UNDP to remain present in program countries, to respond rapidly in times of crisis, to provide impartial policy advice, to support national institutions, to innovate, to mobilize financing, and to serve as an integrator across the United Nations development system. Yet all these functions depend on predictable and flexible core resources. Against this backdrop, would the administrator see scope for non-core funding to contribute more effectively to sustaining essential core capacities? And if this is an area that could benefit from further engagements within the executive board. Mr. President, Rwanda recognizes the need for UNDP to remain efficient, agile, and financially disciplined. However, efficiency cannot substitute for adequate financing, nor can reform become a means of managing an ever-smaller development pillar. Rwanda remains committed to working with UNDP and fellow board members towards development system that is efficient, adequately resourced, responsive to national priorities, and capable of delivering at the scale that present moment, the present moment requires. I thank you.

I thank Rwanda for the statement. I give the floor to Cote d'Ivoire to be followed by Nauru. Ambassador, you have the floor.

Thank you, President. We would like to join everyone in offering Nepal our condolences. My delegation associates itself to the statement of the African Group and we would like to add the following on a national basis. We would like to thank the Administrator for introducing his report and we note with satisfaction the fact that UNDP has mobilized $9.6 billion between 2022 and 2025, around 91% of estimated contributions as well as its growing support to countries when it comes to poverty reduction, governance, resiliency, climate and gender equality. We are nevertheless concerned by a drop of 24% in core resources in 2025, which is now limited to 9% of total contributions. While the needs of developing countries continue to be considerable and the SDGs are significantly behind, Cote d'Ivoire would like to reaffirm the need to have more predictable, multi-year and flexible resources, which would allow UNDP to respond to national and regional priorities as well as preserve its technical and institutional capacities and rapidly act. in a crisis. We would like to welcome the diversification of partnerships with IFIs, the private sector, philanthropists, as well as sustainable financing mechanisms. This diversification should complement without replacing core resources, which are indispensable for the neutrality, flexibility, and institutional capacity of the program. Cote d'Ivoire also welcomes the role that UNDP has played in UN system reform. comes to development and UNAD, this reform should be based on more consistent financing by reducing fragmentation and favoring common financing as well as integrated approaches in our countries. Therefore, my country welcomes the promotion of the National Development Plan 2026-2030, which is currently being implemented with an amount that is estimated to be 114,838 billion CFA francs, around 205 billion US dollars. We would like to welcome the mobilization of technical and financial partners during the meeting of the advisory group for financing the plan, which were held between the 8th and 9th of July in 2026 in Abidjan. We would like to thank UNDP for its support and their contribution to advancing the SDGs. The current budgetary restrictions precedent raises questions on the UNDP's capacity to preserve the effectiveness of its action in country. In this financial context that is characterized by a drop in financing, what measures do you envision to preserve your presence in country as well as technical capacities and oversight and accountability functions without reducing its support to developing countries? To conclude, President, Cote d'Ivoire reaffirms its full support to UNDP and we remain convinced that adequate and quality financing is critical in order to implement the strategic program 2026-2029 in order to accelerate SDGs. I thank you.

I would.

Like to thank Cote d'Ivoire for the statement and I now give the floor to the delegation of Nauru.

Mr. President, Mr. Administrator, Excellencies and colleagues, Nauru aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Group of 77 and China. Nauru thanks the Administrator for this interactive dialogue and acknowledges UNDP's continued partnership with Nauru through the Pacific Multicountry Office. Nauru also wishes to acknowledge Assistant Secretary General to thank her for her dedicated service and contribution to UNDP and most especially the Asia Pacific region. Across the Pacific, UNDP plays an important role in providing country focused development support. Its broad regional reach enable it to work with governments to translate national priorities into practical solutions. UNDP's ability to meet country specific needs through different arrangements are important assets and this must be protected. NARO's own partnership experiences with UNDP through the accountable and inclusive governance project improve access to legal information and modernizing government systems. NARO welcome UNDP support to the tied digital civil registration system. and national priorities on renewable energy, electric mobility, climate smart agriculture, food security, and community environmental action. As UNDP responds to declining core resources and reviews of its country presence, we encourage safeguards for the community, for the continuity and quality of support provided to small program countries. For seats, geographic isolation, limited capacity and exposure to external shocks make access to UNDP's expertise especially important. Mr. President, NARA wishes to raise two points concerning government contributions towards local office costs or GLOC. One, any future change affecting NARO's contribution should be discussed directly with and agreed by the government to enable government's review of the financial implications and to complete its national budgetary processes. Two, NARO requests that the UN MVI be considered alongside income classifications when assessing a country's ability to contribute and when determining applicable GLOC waivers. Income alone does not adequately reflect narrow economic base and high service delivery costs faced by SEEDS. Therefore, we welcome the Administrator's guidance on how UNDP intends to safeguard tailored support for SEEDS through multi-country offices and how UNDP could take forward practical options for incorporating the MVI into GLOC.

I think now we'll refer the statement. I give the floor to Sweden to be followed by Bangladesh, the United States, Brazil. Sweden, please, you have the floor.

Mr. President, Mr. Administrator, dear colleagues, let me begin by expressing Sweden's appreciation for UNDP's continued delivery of strong development results in an increasingly challenging global environment. We commend the organization for its commitment to reform and recognize that maintaining long-term institutional capacity will become increasingly difficult if the decline in flexible and predictable funding continues. Sweden welcomes UNDP's efforts to adapt to a changing financial landscape and its strong focus on efficiency and cost effectiveness. In particular, Sweden would like to extend its gratitude to the staff transferred to new duty station as part of this effort. We strongly support the Secretary-General's UNAT initiative and the ambitious reform agenda it represents. UNDP is expected to play a leading and constructive role in the implementation of these reforms and to contribute fully to their success. At the same time, Member States need clear information on the concrete results delivered through the UNAT process, including how efficiencies and cost savings will be measured, monitored and reported. We also appreciate UNDP's flexibility, responsiveness and strong partnerships in the implementation of Swedish funded initiatives in complex crisis context. This has been particularly evident in Ukraine, Gaza and Syria, where UNDP has demonstrated its ability to adapt to rapidly evolving circumstances while continuing to deliver timely and effective support on the ground. Looking ahead, further efforts to mobilize private capital and support domestic resource mobilization will be essential. Expanding and diversifying sources of financing will help achieve sustainable development outcomes. Sweden greatly appreciates the regular and harmonized structured funding dialogues and transparent reporting that accompanies. These processes provide valuable opportunities for strategic exchanges between member states and UNDP. Finally, we wish to underline the importance of maintaining a strong focus on efficiency, results, transparency, accountability, and domestic resource mobilization. These principles are essential for ensuring trust, impact and value for money, particularly in times of constrained resources. Sweden remains a committed partner of UNDP and the broader UN development system. We appreciate UNDP's leadership and its continued efforts to advance sustainable development while upholding the values and principles at the heart of the United Nations, including human rights, democracy, gender equality and non-discrimination. We thank UNDP and its staff for their continued dedication and look forward to our continued partnership. And allow me before ending also to express our condolences and compassion to the government of Nepal and its people and all those affected by the floodings. Thank you.

I thank Sweden for the statement. I give the floor to Bangladesh to be followed by the United States.

Mr. President, excellences, distinguished delegates. We express our solidarity with Nepal and deep condolences for the victims of flash flood. At the outset, I thank Administrator Dikru for his comprehensive briefing highlighting the priorities of the UNDP and the challenges it is facing. We share your view and reiterate the importance of enhanced core funding to enable UNDP to act, to innovate, and to stay in crisis situation. Mr. President, we also align with the G77 and LDC group statements. Mr. President, following the national elections in February 2026, Bangladesh has entered a new phase of democratic governance. We value UNDP's support through the ballot project and the SIPs orientation program for newly elected members of parliament. As our government implements its 180-day program, one-year plan, and five-year strategic framework aligned with the 2030 agenda, we seek expanded cooperation in employment generation, digital governance and transformative social safety nets, notably the universal life cycle based social security system, family card and the farmers card. To maximize efficiency, we encourage UNDP to partner with us in consolidating fewer demand driven and high impact programs. excellencies as one of the country's most vulnerable to climate change Bangladesh highly values undp support in strengthening National capacities and advancing climate resilience we encourage undp to enhance technical assistance for accessing the green climate fund the global environment facility and loss and damage financing mechanisms we also look forward to expanded collaboration in coastal adaptation ecosystem restoration and sustainable River management Bangladesh remains fully committed to a smooth, sustainable and irreversible transition from the LDC category. Our request for a three-year extension of the preparatory period until November 29 reflects extraordinary global and domestic economic headwinds. We welcome the positive consideration by the CDP and ECOSOC, look forward to General Assembly endorsement and encourage UNDP's predictable phased support throughout this period. Mr. President, regarding UNAT, Bangladesh believes that any reform process should remain member state driven, transparent, inclusive and evidence based. It is equally important to preserve and strengthen UNDP's core mandate and operational effectiveness in supporting country level development and resilience efforts. In conclusion, Bangladesh reaffirms its commitment to a strong and constructive partnership with UNDP in advancing its strategic plan 2026-2029 for sustainable development and delivering tangible results for our peoples. I thank you.

I thank Bangladesh for the statement. I give the floor to the United States, to be followed by Brazil.

Good afternoon. We echo Administrator De Croo's candid observation in a recent interview that emphasizing aid is a matter of the past. and that development must be viewed through a logic of investment that mobilizes private capital. The United States Trade Over Aid Initiative is pivoting away from government to government dependency traps and prioritizes private sector partnerships that build lasting economic self-reliance. We thank UNDP for its work to establish business enabling environments by strengthening property rights, building legitimate legal systems, and making markets investable. Going forward, UNDP's success must be measured by self-reliance achieved and private capital unlocked. To fulfill this mission, UNDP must remain fiscally disciplined and fit for purpose. While recent reforms, such as deploying cloud-based enterprise resource planning systems, optimizing workforce structures, and consolidating back office functions, Aligned with the US priorities on administrative transparency, efficiency and cost containment, deeper changes are still urgently needed. The 2026 MOPAN assessment reveals an organization at the critical crossroads. Structurally, UNDP remains overly top heavy, maintaining a management tier of two under secretaries general and nine assistant secretaries general. despite the 71% real term collapse in core funding since 2011 and the removal of the resident coordinator system. This heavy executive architecture is financially unsustainable. UNDP must urgently restructure its executive leadership and downside top level overhead to reflect current fiscal realities. OPEN also correctly underscores that resource allocation formulas must be modernized. We must revise the methodology so core funding prioritizes low-income, fragile, and least developed countries where it is needed most. In alignment with broader UN-wide efficiency reforms, UNDP must immediately enforce spending controls and cease authorizing business class travel. Finally, UNDP must return to basics. On climate, UNDP must stay away from climate ideology and focus on environmental resilience and preparedness. On gender issues, stay away from ideology and focus on creating equal opportunity for men and women and boy and girls. And UNDP must favor opportunity for all and eliminate programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We look forward to working with the executive board and you, Administrator Decro, to deliver a leaner, high impact.

I thank the United States for the statement. I give the floor to Brazil to be followed by China.

Mr. President, Mr. Administrator, my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 in China, and we express our condolences to Nepal. I start by commending you, Mr. Administrator, for the work you and your team have been undertaking in this challenging time. The continued decline in aid remains a matter of grave concern as it risks undermining UNDP's ability to implement its strategic plan and effectively help states respond to development priorities. We thank all traditional and non-traditional donors and reiterate our call for predictable and flexible core funding. It is indispensable to realize your view, Mr. Administrator, of maximizing aid to strengthen institutions and systems, reduce risks, mobilize domestic resources, and unlock investment. We also highlight the growing financing provided by program countries themselves, particularly in my region. Brazil, for example, was among the top 20 contributors to NDP's overall resources in 2025. This is a concrete demonstration of confidence in UNDP and of program countries' commitment to advancing their national development agendas. Mr. Administrator, at the informal consultations held on 17 August, management indicated that no final decisions had been taken regarding country presences, while different country typologies were being considered. We would welcome clarification on your views on the criteria that would guide any changes in country presence. As a general comment on this topic, we note the growing importance of government development financing, which now represents 29% of UNDP's total resources. It strongly suggests the need to maintain and where appropriate strengthen the program's presence in traditional program countries. In addition, we would finally, we would appreciate your views on how you will ensure that any future adjustments to UNDP's structure, staffing or country presence will be properly consulted with governments. Finally, Mr. Administrator, I kindly draw your attention to one specific issue Brazil raised in previous sessions, the proper financing of the Office for South-South Cooperation. We reiterate our expectation that the resources currently projected for the office, which is considerably less than last year's, will be fully disbursed. Mr. President, colleagues, Brazil stands ready to engage constructively in order to help strengthen support for program countries, accelerate poverty eradication, and advance the sustainable development goals. I thank you.

I thank Brazil for the statement. I give the floor to China to be followed by Japan. Ambassador, you have the floor.

President, at the outset, I thank Administrator DeCru for his introduction and for his reference to the flash flood occurring at the border of China and Nepal. The Chinese government is making every effort to carry out rescue and relief operations. China supports the alliance itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China. I also wish to especially thank ASG Connie Wignaraja for her tremendous effort over many years as the director of the regional bureau for Asia and the Pacific to advancing the SDGs in China and across the Asia Pacific region. I wish her and her family all the very best in the future. I have three points to make. First, China supports UNDP in playing an even greater role. UNDP is a pillar of the UN development system. China supports UNDP in further strengthening its broad mandate with poverty reduction at its core, leveraging its capacity to provide targeted country-specific solutions and ensuring close alignment between country programs and the development strategies and the needs of program countries. so as to help the global south address increasingly complex and evolving external challenges. China positively assesses the smooth implementation of UNDP's 10th country program with China and looks forward to seeing more early results. Second, UNDP should focus on addressing its funding challenges. China notes the significant decline in UNDP's core resources in 2025. We hope UNDP will further strengthen dialogue with traditional donors and encourage developed countries to effectively fulfill their development financing commitments, ensuring adequate, stable and predictable funding. We also hope UNDP will expand innovative and diversified partnerships, mobilize development resources more broadly and provide the global south with greater financial, technical and intellectual support in priority areas such as poverty reduction and normative work. In particular, it should fully leverage the important role of South-South cooperation and supports the global South in strengthening self-reliant development. Third, UNDP should help safeguard the right direction of international development cooperation. Global development currently faces severe challenges. All parties should preserve the gains of international development cooperation. Firmly support multilateralism and create fair and enabling conditions for development cooperation. UNDP should advance its internal reforms, actively engage in the UNAD initiative, better deliver on its mandate, strengthen the development pillar, and ensure that development remains at the centre of the international agenda. This year marks the fifth anniversary of China's Global Development Initiative. To date, it has mobilized over 23 billion US dollars in funding and implemented over 1,800 cooperation projects, including the successful China UNDP partnership on the tailored intelligence for actionable early warning system project. Microphone has been cut off.

Thank you very much, Ambassador. I would encourage you to circulate, like we do for all delegations, to circulate the full statement. And of course, I'm sure that the staff and also member states will be taking note of that. Thank you very much. I now give the floor to Japan to be followed by the United Kingdom, Norway, and Armenia. Japan, you have the floor, please.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to express our deepest condolences for the tragic loss caused by this natural disaster along the China-Nepal border. At the outset, Japan would like to thank Administrator Crook for his comprehensive statement, as well as its continued efforts to deliver results amid an increasingly complex development and financing landscape. UNDP is a strategic partner of Japan and shares commitment to human security. The 2026 Human Security Award ceremony was held in June with administrator in virtual attendance. UNDP was involved in four of the six award-winning projects, which reflects its important contributions to advancing human security. UNDP is expected to continue strengthening the protection and empowerment of the most vulnerable people in the face of threats to their survival, livelihood and dignity. In this context, Japan welcomes UNDP's Moving Beyond Crisis vision and its efforts to advance the HDP nexus by linking responses to urgent needs and early recovery with long-term development and peacebuilding. A public finance system Japan values UNDP's effort to diversify financing for development and its role as catalyst for private sector engagement. We encourage UNDP to further strengthen its catalytic role by building enabling environments, de-risking private investment, and connecting business solutions with needs on the ground. Furthermore, the value of UNDP's work as a whole ultimately rests on the quality and results of individual projects it delivers on the ground. At a time of severe resource constraints and amid growing demand for accountability, transparent and efficient project management, as well as tangible outcomes, are more important than ever. Japan believes that this challenging environment also presents opportunity for UNDP to further strengthen its operational foundations and delivery capacity. In conclusion, Japan looks forward to continuing to work closely with UNDP to deliver tangible results for people on the ground. I thank you.

I thank Japan for the statement. I give the floor to the United Kingdom to be followed by Norway.

Thank you, Mr. President, Administrator, members of the Executive Board. I wish to take this moment to express the United Kingdom's deep solidarity with Nepal, our condolences, and to convey steadfast support to Nepal at this time. Administrator, I thank UNDP and all staff for their dedication and professionalism. Also, thanks to you for your excellent briefing and continued leadership. You're rightly looking ahead to the future model for UNDP in the new global context and the changing development finance landscape. Overlapping global crises are reversing development gains and underscoring the need for stronger partnerships and an ecosystem of organizations that will work together for more effective UN development system. You have highlighted the importance of saving lives and also rebuilding and building lasting capacity. The United Kingdom agrees and underscores that delivering sustainable results and supporting stability, jobs and prosperity is key moving beyond crisis. The UK is a committed partner to UNDP as a contributor to UNDP's core funding, providing predictable, reliable finance. Crucially, as UNDP adapts its business model, the UK wants to see UNDP engage with the wider financial system, various public and private sources of finance and supporting an environment for investment and capital flow, as you have said. UNDP should focus on its comparative advantages, including bringing development and early recovery to fragile and crisis settings and working with humanitarian agencies and delivering measurable results where it can at the greatest value. This is an area we've identified that we would like to see UNDP actively prioritise. The UK strongly supports the ambition of the Secretary General's UNAT initiative. We encourage UNDP to fully engage in pursuing greater efficiencies and better coordination while reducing duplication, including through UN country team reconfiguration and driving efficiencies through system-wide shared services and critical common enablers, notably technology and data. We would welcome further information on progress made on efficiencies and coordinations and plan next steps. We welcome the administrator's leadership on the expertise on demand mechanism and request an update and outline of next steps for implementation. And we also look to the UNDP to support the resident coordinators model and ensure country program documents are derived from and aligned with development cooperation frameworks. Regarding the proposed merger with UNOPS, we appreciate the joint terms of reference for the independent assessment and urge continued momentum in assessing proposals. The UK will work in partnership with UNDP in the Global South for a...

I thank you, Nargi Kina, for the statement. I give the floor to Norway to be followed by Armenia.

Mr. President, Mr. Administrator, Norway recognizes that the UNDP is evolving in a challenging financial context, one characterized by decreasing core resources, which are now less than 10% of total contributions. This trend poses challenges that are significant in terms of strategic planning, organizational flexibility, and the capacity to meet the needs of countries. In this context, we congratulate the UNDP for the sound results that they continued to achieve despite significant financial constraints. We are very much grateful to their staff working in very difficult conditions. We also hail the commitment of UNDP to preserving the functions of oversight, accountability, and supervision during this period of budget restrictions. The protection of these functions is vital to guarantee efficiency, transparency, and trust. Norway remains a staunch supporter of the UNDP as well as the funding compact. We reaffirm the importance of predictable, flexible, and long-term financing. core resources are indispensable to allow the UNDP to enact its strategic plan and to carry out the priorities agreed upon by member states. At the same time, we call for caution in terms of approaches that could mobilize new resources and which could inadvertently undermine the capacity of the organization to carry out the strategic guidance that has been adopted. depending or increasing dependency with regard to financing earmarked for projects or purposes that are specific risks undermining the setting of strategic priorities. Definitely organizations are implementing the things for which they have received financing. If the gap between core resources and earmarked resources becomes too strong, then the preference of donors risks weighing more than the mandates agreed upon by Member States. We therefore encourage efforts to continue to broaden the base of funding while preserving the central role of flexible financing and the principles of the funding compact. Finally, if the current financial trends continue, Norway would like to have more information about the priorities and the arbitrations that the UNDP has envisaged. What functions and what areas of activity need to be protected and where will cuts become inevitable? Thank you.

I thank Norway for that statement. I now give the floor to the next speaker to be followed by New Zealand. Armenia has the floor.

Mr. President, Excellencies, at the outset, Armenia would like to reaffirm its strong appreciation for UNDP's role as a central development partner. UNDP's value lies not only in its global presence, but also in its ability to combine policy advice, institutional support, implementation capacity, and partnerships in a way that responds to national priorities and country-specific development needs. For Armenia, this role is particularly important. As a landlocked developing and middle-income country facing structural constraints, Armenia values development cooperation that is flexible, country-driven, and focused on long-term resilience and national capacity building. In this regard, our cooperation with UNDP has supported important national efforts in areas such as demographic... democratic governance, institutional capacity building, climate resilience, energy efficiency, digital transformation, local development and sustainable livelihoods. Armenia takes note of UNDP's 2025 financial results, including the continued increase in program expenses and a high level of pragmatic delivery. These results demonstrate the continued demand for UNDP support at the country level. At the same time, the funding picture also reminds us that the quality, predictable and flexibility of financing remain essential for UNDP to fulfill its mandate effectively. We also welcome UNDP's efforts to strengthen partnerships and mobilize diversified financing for sustainable development. For middle income countries, this is particularly relevant. Many mixed face development challenges that are not fully captured by classifications based on GDP per capita, including limited fiscal space, exposure to shocks, infrastructure gaps, and the needs for green digital transitions. Development needs and vulnerabilities therefore require more comprehensive assessment that goes beyond income-based indicators. UNDP can play an important role in helping countries translate national priorities coherent development strategies and mobilize financing for their implementation. Finally, Armenia encourages UNDP to continue strengthening its country-level support while ensuring that efficiency and reform efforts under the UNAT initiative ultimately strengthen rather than distract from mandate delivery and UNDP's capacity to respond effectively to national priorities. Armenia remains committed to its partnership with UNDP and looks forward to continued cooperation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. I thank you.

I thank Armenia for the statement. I give the floor to New Zealand and to be followed by the Dominican Republic.

Thank you, President. New Zealand also extends its sincere condolences to the government of Nepal and expresses our deepest sympathies to all those affected. Against this backdrop, and as you have said this morning, Administrator, we meet at a time when development gains are under sustained pressure. Conflict, climate change, and economic shocks are compounding, reversing progress, and increasing vulnerability. In this context, development remains fundamental to stability, resilience, and security, and must remain at the center of the UN's work. We therefore welcome UNDP's continued efforts to strengthen integrated system-wide responses and deliver impact at scale. New Zealand strongly supports the Secretary-General's UN 80 reform initiative as an opportunity to advance meaningful reform. We need a UN development system that is more focused, efficient and coordinated, and better able to deliver results for countries. We welcome UNDP's role as the integrator and operational backbone of the development system and encourage continued efforts to reduce duplication and direct resources towards delivery and results on the ground. We agree that increasingly complex development challenges cannot be addressed through fragmented and project-based approaches alone. As reform discussions progress, proposals should be assessed holistically, including reforms relating to UN country teams, the resident coordinator system, regional presence, and shared services. A strong resident coordinator system is essential to a more coherent and effective UN development system. However, strengthening coordination will require changes not only to structures, but also to incentives, accountability arrangements, reporting frameworks, and funding models that continue to drive fragmentation. As a Pacific country, New Zealand also emphasizes that presence matters. Geographic dispersion and capacity constraints mean that country and regional presence are operational requirements, not overhead costs. Reforms should preserve the UN's ability to deliver where it is needed most, while strengthening coordination with Pacific regional institutions and making better use of comparative advantages across the system. The recent MoPAN assessment provides valuable evidence for these discussions. We welcome its finding that UNDP is a strong and capable organization supported by robust operational systems, strong financial governance, and extensive country presence. At the same time, the assessment highlights ongoing challenges in achieving integrated strategic results, including incentives created by funding arrangements that favour fragmented project delivery. We encourage UNDP and member states to address these constraints as part of the broader reform agenda. In closing, New Zealand reaffirms its strong support for UNDP and its central roles in the development system. We look forward to working with partners to ensure that reforms under UNAT deliver a more coherent, efficient, accountable and country focused UNDS that strengthens national and regional institutions and delivers meaningful results for those most in need. Thank you.

I thank New Zealand for the statement. I'll give the floor to the Dominican Republic and then we will go to the administrator to address some of the comments. The Dominican Republic, please.

Thank you, President, Mr. Administrator, distinguished colleagues. We would like to thank the visionary intervention of the Administrator, and your words really resonate with our own experience and reflect the challenges that we face across the region. We fully agree. The development model is changing and financing for development must evolve from aid to investment. The unprecedented drop of official development assistance as well as core contributions to the UN system demands, as you rightfully said, to make sure that each development dollar works better. Mobilizing investments at a greater scale and reducing risks. In this sense, the Dr. has firmly moved towards a development project where the UNDP's technical cooperation has become a catalyzer for our own national investments. We do not see UNDP as an assistance provider, but rather a partner that provides technical intelligence and has the convening power necessary to make the most out of the resources that we mobilize. Allow me to share a specific example. Two months ago, in June of 2026, the Dominican Republic was recognized by UNDP as a regional example in democratic strengthening and poverty reduction. During the introduction of the Regional Report on Human Development 2026, the Regional Director for UNDP in Latin America and the Caribbean, Michel Musset, highlighted gains in our country in terms of consolidating electoral democracy and the strengthening of political freedoms. We are a relevant case of democratic strengthening in a moment where we see growing strain on That recognition is not a coincidence. It is a reflection of the systematic work that we have been doing with UNDP in order to beef up our institutional capacities and create public policies that are evidence-based in nature, as well as the articulation between democratic governance, state capacity, and specific development results. Mr. Administrator, we support your call to protect core funding, flexible funding that allows UNDP to act quickly and be present where it is most necessary. In the Dominican Republic, we have witnessed how the timely presence and technical capacity of UNDP can really make a difference. And all states, without exception, should stop the drop in core funding. Not doing this, as you reminded, means losing up to 40% of the impact that we have created together. And the response that we need is not whether the world needs a new development model, but whether we can allow ourselves not to build it. The Dominican Republic is committed to this project and we see UNDP as an important partner on this path that we are walking upon. I thank you.

I thank the Dominican Republic for the statement. We go to the administrator of the UNDP and then we come back with statements from Member States. We have Netherlands, Ukraine, Pakistan, El Salvador. Mr. Administrator.

Okay, we are halfway of the interventions, and I tried to group a bit the topics that have been covered. You remember that in my speech, I mentioned the importance of people and the sometimes difficult circumstance in which we work. And unfortunately, as a UN family, we have received bad news that there has been an incident in South Sudan where two peacekeepers from Ethiopia have been killed by an attack. Three from Ethiopia have been wounded and two from South Sudan have been injured as well. And really let us present our condolences to the families and hope that the ones who are injured can recover as soon as possible. Many interventions on funding obviously acknowledge, many of you have mentioned the importance of core funding and appreciate those who have called the increase of core funding. And we really understand, I think as UNDP, the difficult circumstances financial circumstances in which many of you are working. It's not only us who are in difficult financial circumstances. All of you are confronted with choices to be made. And our appeal really is to prioritize core. We understand that asking for more funding is difficult in these circumstances. So the real message is, if you cannot do more, please do core. and increase your core funding in the total, because the impact of core funding on the other projects is really huge one, and it helps us to mobilize other type of financing. And I think the intervention of Rwanda specifically talked about what it enables us to do. I mean, it enables the country presence that you have talked about. It enables our policy and our policy expertise. We know that the finances are tight and that working in our mandate is an important one. And as Zambia has mentioned, the name of the African states, our priority is development impact, right? We look at other types of financing, but always with the perspective of development impact. We might know that there might be other objectives. We're not against those other objectives, but our objective obviously is development impact. job creation, fighting the impact of climate change and so on. There have been questions on how does this impact the implementation of our strategic plan. Look, the impact of the core financing, 80% of the core financing that we have goes directly or indirectly to the implementation of our strategic plan. So if the core financing is being reduced, yes, it will have an impact. You know that one of the enablers in our strategic plan is gender. gender from an economic perspective, from the perspective of opportunity, from the perspective of potential and using the potential of the entirety of your population. We know that this topic is one which is on the funding side already being put under pressure. If CORE is also put under pressure, it makes it harder for us to fill those gaps. And so we should understand that the erosion of core has an impact on the priorities that you have put in our strategic plan and in climate mitigation programs and so on. I hope this is not a surprise for you. We have also had some questions on How can we diversify the funding? And I think in my introduction speech, I gave you many examples of how we look at diversifying, diversifying the funder base, diversifying the work that we do with international financial institutions, with private sector. These are questions asked by Cote d'Ivoire, by Finland, by Sweden, by Armenia. And I think we have been quite successful in doing that, but it's clear that we will have to multiply that, multiplying that. means getting our core funding work harder. And that was really the main line that I wanted to explain at the start of my speech, that core funding enables us to bring in other sources of financing. But of course, it's hard to bring in other sources of financing if we don't have a platform on which we can base it. So the access to core is the one that enables us to have access to other types of financing. Less core is also less access to other types of financing, which is financing which often is not ODA based, which is external to that. I have been questions on the MOPAN assessment. I think Germany, United States, New Zealand talked about that. I think Indeed, the MOPAN assessment showed how we have adapted and have become a stronger organisation. But MOPAN also talked about the fact that we have a business model which is very much focused on delivery and should be more focused on outcome. We agree with that, and in our interaction, we acknowledge that. But we also want to make one comment on that, is that one of the reasons why we are more delivery focused than outcome focused for the moment is because we have a high share of earmarked funding. If the funding is very earmarked on projects, obviously The reporting is very much on the delivery of those projects. If you want to go into a more impact perspective where we work with portfolios and integrated approach, we also need the funding to be able to do that. But we specifically in our interaction have mentioned that we are moving much more into the direction of portfolio. And I think also in the interactions with you, we will more and more in discussions on projects try to put it in a portfolio perspective. And go in an interaction with you, say, look, okay, interesting project, but from a portfolio perspective, it's probably better to rephrase the project in this way because it better fits the totality of what we want to do. Remarks on South-South by a number of countries. Maybe first of all address the point made by Brazil. Let's be very clear, we will deliver on the commitments that we have made and really in previous board meetings we have reassured you on this and let me do this again. We have a broad range of South-South vehicles, the Paris Giris Fund, the G77 and China Fund, the India Brazil South Africa Fund, which celebrates 20 years now, the India UN Fund, the UN China Fund. There's many, many of those funds in which we work. And we think this is one of the ways going forward is creating that South-South and triangular type of work. On the impact of cuts, I will get back on the impact of cuts. There's been questions by Rwanda, Norway, Nepal, name of the LDCs and Cote d'Ivoire on that. Specific questions were asked. the scope of how non-core can contribute to the erosion of core and helping the core capacity. We will look into different options along that track and try to look at it in a creative way. And some of you have suggested, well, maybe you can adapt your cost recovery and that cost recovery could compensate for the reduction in core. We're not against of looking into that direction, but you should know that if we want today to compensate for the erosion of core by increasing the cost recovery, that would mean that you would have to double the cost recovery. This could be part of the solution, but doubling cost recovery, I'm not sure this is the direction we want to go. So we're open to that discussion, but let's also be clear on how far you can actually go in doing that. And in any case, if we have that discussion, we need to do it in a harmonized way because the cost recovery rules are harmonized with UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women, and others. Let me then, there was a question on the middle income countries strategy asked by Philippines in name of the group of friends. I mean, we should not forget that two thirds of the world's poor, multidimensional poor are in that, in middle income countries. We are very active in middle income countries and obviously the type of work we do there is on financing for development, on preparing for digital, on diversifying economic growth, on job creation and it remains a high priority for us to continue working in that and we see that more and more. This is also evolving in the direction of government developed financing, which is a point which was made by Brazil. Yes, this is almost a third of the work that we do, work that we greatly appreciate. That has been growing quite a bit. It's grown 22% since 2022. To do that, we have strengthened and adapted our country presence, developing new skills, very often related to digital, to financial policy, and expertise linked to governance and so on. But it also calls for a shift in thinking on how we organize when this continues growing and also how do you organize the financial model around that? There was a remark made by Germany on the type of recovery and resilience work, for example, that we do in Gaza and in the occupied Palestinian territories. We greatly appreciate the partnership that we have. specifically in Gaza and occupied Palestinian territory, but in the broader region. And this is really crucial to work on resilience and to avoid that crisis would continue. We are also the main partner in the UN Palestinian Recovery Trust Fund and working really well together with other UN entities on doing that. On climate, and really, let me all reassure you, Neither for climate, neither for gender. This is based on ideology. This is based on economics. Our gender policy is based on economics. Because if you don't use the entirety of the talent that you have in your country, how can you develop the maximum potential of your country? And that's the same for our climate work. Our climate work today, it's economics. Throughout the world, we see that economic activity is slowing down. because of the impact of climate. This is not ideology, it's science. And scientists have told us years ago that this would come. So working our climate work is economic work. It's helping societies to adapt to new reality. It's part of security policy. We now have seen firsthand that energy strategy has a direct link to security. is a direct link to being less vulnerable. Economic vulnerability is today security vulnerability. And this is linked, of course, to the energy work that we do, mentioned by Cuba and its intervention. We have many examples of where we do this work, and I'm not going to get into detail in all the places where we do climate work. But climate and energy work is really work that we do for people. protecting people, it's supporting people very often in difficult circumstances. There was a remark on the small island development states by Nauru. As discussed in previous meetings, we have a big country presence and this is top of our agenda, is keeping our country presence in the small island development states, especially in the Pacific, but in general, keeping our country presence is very, very important. We have a presence in 36 of the of the of the sets and the range of work that we do is very broad, going from from from digital to green transmission, green transformation, but also to private capital. We have been able to launch a sovereign blue bond in in Fiji, which has raised 9 million euros. And we see that accessing that type of and financing works everywhere in the world, also in small island developing states. Talking about crisis, I think Spain and UK have mentioned that. Indeed, yes, I talked a lot in my speech about that, making sure that we have enough flexible funding which enables us to also work together with the international financial institutions and to unleash funding in sometimes circumstances where speed really is of the essence, is a big part of our work. And working together with other humanitarian players is an important one, and the cooperation with OCHA really is a crucial one. Maybe let me finish in this first round and talking also about efficiency. These were questions made by UK, Sweden, US and so on. Look, we can give you a full overview of all the cost reductions that we have done and we will continue doing so. But we also have to be clear that cost reductions cannot compensate for all the reductions in financing that we have seen. It is part of the transformation program that we do. But today, for every dollar that you give us, 91 cents is going directly into the field, which is really at the highest standards that you can expect from us. Maybe last element is in there was a question from Norway and a few others on which functions should be protected when there is a reduction in core. I think I mentioned that our country presence is a crucial one. Of course, the way core is allocated is based on a formula which is approved by the board. And so if we respect the priorities put in that formula, there is only 80 million which is left, which is based on our own discretionary decisions that we can take. So at some point, we might have to have a discussion again in this board on the allocation formula, because this allocation formula dates from a time when core was in a bigger volume. But we want to be transparent with you. In the speech, I mentioned that the current erosion of core puts 40% of the impact that we have at risk. And if that continues, it puts at risk our policy work, it puts at risk our oversight work, it puts at risk the geographical presence that we have. And we need to be aware that we will do everything to protect all those elements and we will do the transformation that is necessary to be fit for a different future. But we should all be aware that if it continues in that direction, and if you do not enable us the capacity to adapt, the impact of that could be one which is not in a far future. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Administrator. Colleagues will continue with the list of speakers. We have a significant list and we'll try to advance it as much as possible during the morning session. So we have the Netherlands, Ukraine, Australia, El Salvador, Ethiopia. I give the floor to the Netherlands. Ambassador, you have the floor, please.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Administrator, for your explanations. And let me start by adding my voice to those who express sympathy and condolences for the devastating -- the victims of the devastating floods in Nepal. And, of course, we condemn any attack on peacekeepers. Please allow me to make three points. First, let me underscore that the Netherlands supports UNDP's efforts to promote sustainable development, good governance, and resilience globally. We value UNDP as an important partner, both through our core and our earmarked funding. So in this context, we heard you, Mr Administrator, and we are pleased to announce that the Netherlands will provide 40 million euros in multiannual core funding to UNDP for the coming years. So predictable core funding resources are essential for UNDP to deliver effectively, maintain oversight and preserve strategic flexibility. This is particularly important given the significant decline in core contributions. And this brings me to my second point. The financial outlook requires strategic prioritization and difficult choices. UNDP has a broad mandate, but it cannot do everything everywhere. We therefore need to see greater clarity on how UNDP is adapting its program portfolio, country presence and workforce to the changing funding environment. This is important not only for efficiency, but also for UNDP's credibility as a strategic partner. A broad mandate needs to be matched by a clear sense of where UNDP can deliver the greatest added value. We see this added value in UNDP's work on governance, rule of law, conflict prevention and building resilient institutions. So we'd like to ask, where do you see the greatest scope for prioritization and what difficult choices is UNDP prepared to make to protect its core strengths? Third and finally, we welcome the ongoing UNAD reform efforts. We see a strong resident coordinator system as critical to a well-functioning UN development system and stress the importance of UNDP's active support. With UNDP engaged in 14 UNAT work packages, could you highlight where you see the greatest added value and impact for UNDP and where you see the most important opportunities to reduce duplication and improve efficiency? We expect these reforms to ultimately strengthen delivery and impact for programme countries. We also encourage UNDP and UNOPS to move forward swiftly with the agreed process on potential merger. Thank you.

I thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the statement. I give the floor to Ukraine, to be followed by Australia. Ambassador, you have the floor.

Mr. President, let me thank the UNDP Administrator, His Excellency, Alexander de Croo, for his strong and optimistic statement and for the continued commitment of UNDP to support countries facing complex challenges. My government highly values its partnership with UNDP. In the face of Russia's ongoing war or aggression, UNDP remains one of Ukraine's most crucial development partners, helping sustain essential services and advance recovery efforts under exceptionally difficult circumstances. Today, Ukraine especially appreciates UNDP's leadership in ensuring the resilience of national energy sector. As Russia continues its deliberate systematic attacks against Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, maintaining access to electricity, heating, water supply remains a key priority. In this context, we are grateful for UNDP's practical and results-oriented assistance for the delivery of energy equipment, across the country. As of July 26, UNDP has procured or is procuring energy equipment with a combined capacity of more than 600 megawatts, helping communities, hospitals, schools, water utilities, and heating systems continue operating despite constant Russian intentional strikes against our infrastructure. 600 megawatts, this is roughly the yearly capacity of one of our major hydropower plants. It's just enough to give you a sense of the scale of this UNDP contribution. Mr. President, I would like to express our appreciation to the UNDP country office in Ukraine and for the dedicated UNDP team here in New York for their responsiveness and support. Your close cooperation with our authorities, local communities, and the mission has been instrumental in delivering concrete results. We're equally grateful to the donor countries whose solidarity makes all these efforts possible, the support provided by our key partners, and I will name it, Norway, Sweden, the European Union, Japan, Denmark, the Republic of Korea, Belgium, Iceland, Germany, Serbia, France, and others, they all have enabled UNDP to implement large-scale projects that improve the lives of millions of Ukrainians. We call upon other member states to join this circle of friends. To conclude, I want once again to congratulate you, dear Excellency Administrator Alexander De Croo, on your leadership and reiterate my invitation to you to visit Ukraine as soon as possible. It will offer a good opportunity to see firsthand the positive impact of UNDP work and define future priorities. I thank you.

I thank Ukraine for the statement. I give the floor to Australia, to be followed by El Salvador, and then we have Ethiopia, Thailand, Bhutan, Sri Lanka. Australia, Ambassador, you have the floor.

Thank you very much indeed, President. And first, let me express solidarity with Nepal at this very difficult time. Can I thank you, Administrator, very much indeed for your very clear articulation of the issues as you see them, the path towards reform, but also I think the very clear importance of core funding and us coming collectively together to have a very clear sense of where UNDP takes itself in the future. But once again, I thought your articulation was very, very helpful for us this morning. Australia, of course, remains a very strong supporter of UNDP's vital role in advancing sustainable development. I have three brief points. First, Australia welcomes the recently completed MoPAN assessment. The assessment highlights UNDP as a highly capable organization and one of the UN system's most trusted delivery partners, particularly in climate action, governance, and fragile settings. We encourage UNDP to build on these strengths while addressing the factors that can prevent strong delivery from translating into broader and more lasting development progress. We look forward to seeing this reflected in future reporting. Second, we urge UNDP to maintain momentum across practical system-wide reforms that strengthen country-level delivery and reinforce an effective resident coordinator system. As reforms progress, regional realities must remain central. This includes protecting UNDP's presence and development impact in the Pacific, where support must remain responsive to the needs of small island developing states. And I thank you very much for your response to Nauru's question earlier this morning. We stress the need for meaningful engagement with Pacific Island countries and emphasise that Member States should be consulted on significant organisational changes that may affect country presence, service delivery or development outcomes, and again very much appreciate your reaffirmation of your continued commitment to that region. Third, Australia welcomes the structured funding report and notes the continued challenges of declining regular and flexible resources. The report highlights the importance of finding a sustainable balance between organizational reform, operational effectiveness, and funding quality. We very much appreciate UNDP's efforts to improve transparency around the government local office costs plus and to address the financial pressures associated with maintaining country presence. We encourage UNDP to ensure that the unique vulnerabilities faced by SIDS are appropriately considered in cost calculations and that program countries are informed appropriately on proposed changes and implications. And we would welcome UNDP's consideration of using the multidimensional vulnerability index alongside income when calculating costs and waivers as a reflection of these unique vulnerabilities.

I thank Australia for the statement. I give the floor to El Salvador to be followed by Ethiopia. Ambassador, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, Mr. Administrator. El Salvador sees in UNDP a strategic partner to face our greatest challenges, poverty, the digital divide, access to justice, and humanitarian responses. Along with the country office under the leadership of the resident representative, Mr. Jairo Acuna, we've moved forward in crafting our new country program document, 2027-2031 for El Salvador. exercise is an opportunity to effectively address our national priorities, building upon the basis of what we have already achieved. We seek to consolidate this partnership on the basis of dialogue, national appropriation, and a clear commitment to results. Proof of that is the recent signature of the memorandum of understanding with our judicial branch. which is strengthening its institutional capacities through technological innovation. The program Peace Without Borders consolidates peace in the Trifinio region through an inclusive governance of water resources and the joint program Digital Agro Energy has strengthened our national capacities when it comes to agriculture and energy. Moreover, the Human Development Booklet today helps us craft public policy. We would also like to thank the UNDP for its support to our role as co-presidents of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which was successfully held in July in Geneva. And we trust that the support of UNDP in our country when it comes to technology and AI will continue to grow. President. in the context of UNAD, we want to be very clear. It cannot mean weakening the system. Any kind of institutional adjustment should preserve operational capacity, specialized knowledge, and above all, the presence of UNDP on the ground because it is there alongside communities and people, as the administrator rightly said, where this cooperation transforms lives. effectiveness and coherence that which we seek should strengthen the work of the United Nations on a country level. It should never be reduced and it should definitely not be reduced at the expense of those countries that highly value and need your presence. I thank you.

I thank El Salvador for the statement. I give the floor to Ethiopia to be followed by Thailand. Ambassador, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President, distinguished UNDP Administrator, distinguished delegates. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Zambia on behalf of the Africa Group, by Nepal on behalf of the LDCs, and by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China. I would also join colleagues to express our condolences to Nepal. Let me extend my appreciation to the Administrator of the UNDP, Mr. Alexander de Croo, for his statement which inspires immense hope in the middle of multiple global challenges. UNDP needs to be commended for delivering a range of holistic development programs from supporting reforms and eradicating poverty to climate change and energy, which requires us to protect the mandate of the agency. In Ethiopia, we actively partner with the UN and particularly with the UNDP in our homegrown economic reform agenda, which entails key development initiatives well aligned with the SDGs and Agenda 2063. Some of the initiatives include investment in renewable energy and digitalization efforts, sustainable urban regeneration, and progress in agricultural productivity and food security. We are grateful to the UN country team in general and UNDP in particular for their valued partnership across a range of initiatives. We appreciate the focus of this interactive dialogue and the administrator's emphasis on how UNDP is building a development model that can deliver for a changing world. We also support UNDP's initiatives in nurturing local solutions and initiatives in entrepreneur hubs. Mr. President, Africa continues to face acute development financing gap, exacerbated by rising debt burden and constrained fiscal space. The Administrator has just alluded to the fact that ODA is declining significantly and the projection is not encouraging. Moreover, decreasing core funding to the UN development system risks weakening resilience in LDCs. Now the question is whether mobilizing domestic resources is the only way out. Adequate funding is not going to be enough if UNDP has limited flexibility. Business as usual is no longer sufficient. As underlined by the Administrator, core funding is a shared concern for many developing states. We should work collectively to find practical and innovative solutions to broaden and strengthen UNDP's core funding base. In conclusion, my delegation stands ready to closely work.

I thank Ethiopia for the statement. I give the floor to Thailand to be followed by Bhutan. Ambassador, you have the floor.

Thailand aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China. and would like to deliver the following statement in its national capacity. But before I do that, I would like to join other colleagues in extending condolences to the government and people of Nepal. Having worked with UNDP for the past six decades, Thailand firmly believes in its central role within the UN development system and applauds its adaptability to the evolving development landscape. In this regard, allow me to highlight three points. First, we reiterate our support for the work of the UNDP and its strategic plan. As we approach the 2030 deadline, we look to the UNDP to provide the necessary support to program countries to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. and advance our respective national development priorities. In this regard, the country program documents play a crucial role in guiding such support. We look forward to the endorsement of Thailand's and many other countries' CPDs this afternoon. Second, As one of the 32 UNDP core funding contributors, Thailand highlights the importance of UNDP core resources. We believe that predictable and flexible funding is essential for the UNDP to sustain and scale up its delivery on the ground. Thailand remains committed to doing our part and encourages others to contribute to this effort. On this note, we commend the UNDP for mobilizing resources from the private sector and other funding sources. Our CPD is a case in point with a significant share of its financing expected to come from green and climate funds. Thailand also supports the UNDP's efforts in strengthening South-South cooperation, particularly amid declining traditional development aid. Finally, as an incoming Executive Board member, Thailand looks forward to deepening our engagement with UNDP and fellow Executive Board members in shaping a new development model where UNDP can continue to adapt, innovate and deliver effectively on its mandate. President, in closing, we look forward to working closely with UNDP and our partners to strengthen UN development system and translate our commitments into concrete development results. I thank you very much.

I thank Thailand for the statement. I give the floor to Bhutan to be followed by Sri Lanka and then Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar. Bhutan Ambassador, you have the floor.

Mr. President, Administrator Dukru, Excellencies, I thank Administrator Dukru for his briefing and welcome this dialogue as a chance to reflect on a partnership that has shaped Bhutan's development for over five decades. At the outset, allow me to express Bhutan's deepest condolences to the government and people of Nepal and to the families of those who lost their lives in the devastating flood yesterday. Our thoughts are with all those affected. Such tragedies are a stark reminder of the growing climate risk confronting countries across the Himalayan region. For Bhutan, as for our Himalayan neighbors, climate change is not a distant threat. It is an existential concern. Building resilience, protecting vulnerable communities, and strengthening climate adaptation therefore remain central to our national priorities and to the mandate of UNDP. UNDP has been with Bhutan since the beginning of our plan development journey in the early 1970s, supporting every five-year plan. and crucially respecting our priorities and our development philosophy of gross national happiness rather than imposing a template. That respect for national ownership is precisely why this partnership has worked. Bhutan's graduation from the category of LDC in December 2023 stands as one of the clearest examples of what this partnership can achieve. UNDP helped us design our graduation and smooth transition strategies, strengthened the planning and public financial management capacities of our national institutions, supported economic diversification and helped translate our carbon negative status into real access to climate finances. That support did not stop at graduation. UNDP has continued to help us manage the transition and safeguard the international support measures we still need. Graduation is a beginning, not an end. Bhutan remains a climate vulnerable economy with narrow economic base and a young population in need of jobs. We ask UNDP and this board to continue supporting graduated and graduating countries according to our evolving needs, not to treat graduation as a reason to step back. For many countries, development and climate resilience are increasingly inseparable. The mountains and ecosystem of our region provides Vital services far beyond national borders, while communities remain particularly exposed to floods, landslides, and other climate-induced hazards. We therefore see an important role for UNDP in strengthening regional cooperation, supporting climate resilient development, and ensuring that vulnerable countries have meaningful access to climate finance, technology, and capacity building. Finally, we share the Administrator's concern over the erosion of core resources. Flexible core funding is exactly what allowed UNDP to respond to Bhutan's specific priorities rather than a one-size-fits-all model. We urge all Member States, particularly major contributors, to restore predictable core fundings so UNDP can keep.

Thank you. I think you, Ambassador, I think you must have put down for the statement. I give the floor to Sri Lanka to be followed by Vietnam. Ambassador, you have the floor.

Mr. Administrator, Sri Lanka extends its condolences and compassion and expresses its solidarity to Nepal at this difficult time. And Sri Lanka thank the administrator for the comprehensive introduction this morning. And Sri Lanka aligns with it on behalf of the statement delivered on behalf of the G77 and China. For decades, UNDP has been a valued partner in advancing Sri Lanka's national priorities and development. In recent years, particularly in climate resilience and recovery, in finance for development and building partnerships, UNDP's assistance has been invaluable. We wish to reiterate our ongoing support for the UNAD initiative and our expectation that the proposed reforms will create a more effective and responsive UN that works in accordance with national priorities and frameworks. Sri Lanka further reaffirms that any reform process must be member state-led, transparent, evidence-based, and with the aim of strengthening the country-level delivery. Sri Lanka notes with concern the decline of ODA and co-contributions. We call for the development partners to provide adequate and predictable funding to achieve the objectives UNDP champions for. With 2030 fast approaching, we ask for the support of the UN development system to acknowledge the development gains program countries have won and extend support for further progress in line with the national priorities. Mr. President, while acknowledging the contributions the UNDP has made, it is timely to underscore a valuable contribution Sri Lanka has made to the world community. The outgoing Assistant Secretary General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the UNDP, Ms. Kanne Vignaraja, has been a voice for human development for over 30 years. She has made a distinguished contribution to development and multilateralism, bringing deep knowledge of the Asia Pacific and extensive expertise on human development, human rights, climate change, disaster response, inequality, social protection and development and climate finance. Her leadership in strengthening UN development coordination and the continued engagement in global policy discussions have advanced more effective multilateral response to today's interconnected challenges. Sri Lanka is proud to appreciate her leadership and commitment. Ms. Wicknairajah, as you embark on this new chapter, Sri Lanka extends our deepest appreciation for your dedicated service and wish you every success and happiness in the years ahead. Administrator, Sri Lanka commends the work of UNDP and reaffirms our support to its work to strengthen and modernize the development system in line with national ownership, innovative international partnerships providing tangible

I thank Sri Lanka for the statement. I give the floor to Vietnam to be followed by Papua New Guinea.

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank you, Mr. Administrator, for sharing your vision about how the UNDP is changing and how we need to build a new model of development. And allow me to reflect on this from Vietnam's perspective. So UNDP has been in Vietnam for over 50 years now, and we have seen that change indeed has been a constant. We have moved from post-war reconstruction to economic reforms, poverty reduction, to building resilience and sustainability. We are grateful, of course, for this strong partnership, and allow me to also express my heartfelt gratitude to Connie for your very special part played in this partnership over the last quarter century. It may sound a little bit long, but you were very young when you first came to Vietnam. I know that you will be dearly missed, and we wish you all the best in your next adventure. So Vietnam and UNDP are now both entering an entirely new phase. Vietnam has just been classified as an upper middle income country. And while this is a happy milestone, it also presents complex challenges for us, including, for example, the more constrained access to concessional financing. I therefore welcome the Administrator's view on how UNDP will adapt its policy, financing, and partnership offer to help middle income countries. For Vietnam, this means that UNDP will strengthen its country presence and move increasingly towards policy advice, supporting innovation, strengthening institutions and catalyzing financing for sustainable development. This is well reflected in the CPD that the Board will examine this afternoon. The Administrator also took the example of Vietnam to illustrate this role in your speech earlier. By helping Vietnam establish the frameworks, the capacities and the confidence needed to finance its green transition, UNDP shows how catalytic support can unlock resources on a much larger scale. And on that note, let me end with a call on all partners to do their part to support the work of UNDP at the country level, including in Vietnam. And I'd go beyond what the administrator just said and would ask partners to contribute more and contribute core, just as Vietnam has been doing in the most recent years. Thank you very much again, Mr. President.

I thank Vietnam for the statement. I give the floor to Papua New Guinea to be followed by Myanmar.

Distinguished Mr. President, Mr. Administrator, fellow colleagues, let me begin by associating my national remarks with that of G77 and China delivered by Uruguay as chair, and also convey our solidarity with Nepal over the unfolding natural disaster. Papua New Guinea joins others in thanking Mr. Administrator De Kru for your thoughtful and insightful remarks on the evolving work of UNDP at a challenging time, and we welcome this interactive dialogue. We also recognize and thank ASG Kani Vignarajah for her valued contributions over the years to the work of UNDP, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, which Papua New Guinea benefited from, and we wish her well in her future endeavors. Mr. Administrator, Let me reaffirm how pleased Papua New Guinea is for the constructive progress of important and longstanding role of UNDP as an integral development partner, which is delivering tangible results on the ground in support of our people's national development priorities, including on peace building, women's leadership, dignity and empowerment, renewable energy access, locally led and owned climate action and resilience building, across our country. Mr. President, allow me to highlight some critical areas where UNDP's value development investment is contributing to our national development priorities. First, on national reforms and institutional strengthening. We appreciate UNDP's support for the Papua New Guinea's new reset agenda and on disaster risk reduction and the work of our parliamentary committees on customary land reforms, gender-based violence and elections. We also welcome the UNDP's joint electoral security program led by UNDP in support of peaceful national elections next year, including efforts in enabling our citizens to be able to do their part, particularly against the violence against women agenda and for the increase of national women's representation in parliament. Mr. President, is a truncated statement, so I will be sending in full the details of my statement. But before I close, let me say this. As system-wide UN reforms continue under the UNAD reforms, Papua New Guinea reiterates that greater efficiency and institutional reform should translate into stronger delivery at the country level and strengthen national ownership and delivery. Against this backdrop, Mr. Administrator, we would seek your views on how you intend to strengthen your role as the integration.

Thank you very much. I thank Papua New Guinea for the statement. Colleagues, we are slightly beyond one o'clock. The interpreters have agreed to continue with us and supporting the work for a bit more time. Let me try to get through several more statements, as long as we are confining ourselves to the three time limit. So I have Myanmar, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Timor-Leste, and then we'll see if we can have an extra statement. Myanmar, you have the floor, Ambassador.

Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to join the others in extending our deepest condolences on the loss of life to people and government of Nepal. I, Mr. Administrator, I wish to thank you for your comprehensive remark. Myanmar aligns with the statement of G77 China and the LDC group. Myanmar thanks the UNDP for its support towards the people of Myanmar. In this regard, I commend ASG Ms. Kenny for her hard work and contributions. Over five years since the illegal military coup, the people of Myanmar are facing a multifaceted and interconnected crisis of conflict, insecurity, displacements, economic uncertainty, and climate shocks among others. Persistence and indiscriminate violence by the military junta against civilians has continued to put the country in a downward spiral regardless of nominal change in their status. In this regard, I wish to underline the following two points. us strengthen effective partnerships with local and community actors. We are of the view that effective deliverable by the UNDP are contingent upon choosing the right partnership and working with relevant stakeholders. It was our local partners that helped rebuild homes and schools after the military's airstrike had turned them into rubble. It was our community partners that helped construct temporary shelters and tarpaulins in IDP camps after the military shelling and bombardments had turned them into ruins. It was our frontline partners that helped restore lifesaving services after the military had blocked humanitarian access and delivery. Second, reinforce the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. Humanitarian actions can help with immediate reliefs while development can help with recovery, livelihoods and resilience. Above all, peace and stability can help sustain those livelihood opportunities and development gains. As such, incorporating humanitarian actions, development and peace offer the most comprehensive response in addressing the root cause of the conflict and bringing the country back to the right path. Despite facing challenges, the NUG and the major ethnic democratic forces are coordinating through the SCEF to achieve lasting peace, stability, and developments in Myanmar. Finally, I wish to conclude by echoing Mr. Administrator that recovering ultimate depends on people rebuilding their community, restoring local institutions, and shaping their own future. The people of Myanmar remain determined to shape their own future by eradicating the military dictatorship, restoring our democratic institutions, and building a federal democratic union. And thank you.

I thank Myanmar for the statement. I now give the floor to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, to be followed by Timor-Leste. Ambassador, you have the floor.

Mr. President, Mr. Administrator, at the outset I join other colleagues in expressing my condolences to Nepal. I would also like to thank ASG Gani Wigenaracha for her contribution to the works of the UNDP and sustainable development, and I wish her all the best. My delegation would like to express our appreciation to the UNDP Administrator for his leadership and to UNDP for its continued support to member states in advancing sustainable development amid an increasingly complex global environment. The Lao PDR values UNDP's important contribution to poverty reduction, governance, climate resilience, environmental protection and disaster risk reduction and the implementation of the 2030 agenda, among others. For the Lao PDR, UNDP remains a trusted and longstanding development partner. We particularly value its strong country presence, responsiveness to national priorities, and ability to connect global expertise with national needs and translate international commitments into tangible results on the ground. We welcome the new country program document, or CPD, for the Lao PDR for 2027-2031 to be considered by the Executive Board this afternoon, which reflects our national development priorities and it aligns well with our tenth national socioeconomic development plan, the LDC smooth transition strategy and the UN sustainable development cooperation framework for 2027-2031. The CPD responds to our particular development context, including the opportunities associated with our progress towards graduation from LDC status, while addressing persistent challenges such as fiscal constraints, poverty reduction, climate vulnerabilities, limited access to services, and the legacy of unexploded ordnance. My delegation also wishes to underscore the importance of country ownership as the UN development system continues to evolve. Reform should strengthen effectiveness, coherence, and coordination while preserving the flexibility of program countries to shape and prioritize the support they receive. We further emphasize the importance of predictable, flexible and adequate financing for UNDP, particularly for program countries facing structural vulnerabilities and limited fiscal space. Continued support and contribution to core and MTDG resources will be essential for UNDP to maintain its operational capacity and deliver effectively at country level. In conclusion, the Lao PDR reaffirms its continued support for UNDP and looks forward to further strengthening our partnership in pursuit of sustainable, inclusive and

I thank the ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic for the statement. I give the floor to Timor-Leste and then Pakistan.

Mr. President, Distinguished members of the board, UNDP administrator, excellencies, Timor-Leste align itself with the statement delivered by Paraguay on behalf of G77 and China and by Nepal on behalf of the LDC. Timor-Leste is honored to address this board and affirms its appreciations for a longstanding and constructive partnership with UNDP. Since the resolutions of our independence, UNDP has supported Timor-Leste through post-conflict recovery, institutional consolidations, and now toward sustainable and inclusive development. Timor-Leste affirms that development cooperation must be grounded in national ownership, aligned with national priorities, and supported by strong institutional capability of delivering measurable results. International partners provide valuable expertise and resources, yet The durability of progress ultimately depends on the development that's led, shaped, and sustained by national systems. Timor-Leste therefore welcome the UNDP country program, 2026-2030, which align with our strategy development plan and the 2030 agenda. Mr. President, excellencies, Timor-Leste has made meaningful progress, yet obstacles remains. Socioeconomic challenges continue to shape the realities of many rural communities, highlighting the need of economic diversifications, stronger private sector development, and expanded opportunities for decent work, particularly for youth people. We encourage UNDP to deepen its support for agriculture, fisheries, tourism, entrepreneurship, and skills development. with focus on creating sustainable opportunities that empower Timorese people to drive their own development. Good governance remains a central national priority. We value UNDP support and in strengthening the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and access to justice. Looking ahead, capacity building should further emphasize knowledge transfer, institutional ownership, and long-term sustainability. more or less that remains highly vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. We therefore welcome UNDP's continued support for climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, sustainable natural resources, management, and improve access to climate finance. Mr. President, the true measure of development cooperation is impact on our people's life, improve livelihood and rural families, meaningful opportunities for youth, full participation of women, and a stronger resilience for communities. Timor-Leste remains fully committed to a stronger strengthening the cooperation with UNDP and all development partners to ensure that every person's

I thank Timor-Leste for the statement. I give the floor to Pakistan and then the last speaker of this morning session will be France. Pakistan, you have the floor, please.

Thank you very much, President. We deeply appreciate your steady stewardship of the TRIPLE Board and welcome the opportunity today to hold an interactive dialogue with the UNDP Administrator. Pakistan's longstanding partnership with UNDP has delivered real results. We look forward to scaling up this collaboration, including in emerging areas such as AI, and stress the importance of ensuring that UNDP's work remains fully aligned with our national development priorities. Much of what Administrator DeCru has outlined today resonates with Pakistan's own experience. His emphasis on connecting humanitarian response to long-term recovery efforts reflects Pakistan's experience since the 2022 floods. The same is true of his call to move from aid to investment. Pakistan is itself pursuing this shift. Our special investment facilitation council is working to fast track investment in priority sectors, even as we pursue parallel efforts to strengthen revenue collection. Tools such as the investment accelerator and SDG investor maps can help. Pakistan has itself developed an SDG investor map in partnership with UNDP. However, challenges remain in translating such tools into actual investments on the ground. On borrowing better. We also share the assessment that the cost of capital is a development issue in its own right, and we would encourage UNDP's continued support in helping countries access capital on fairer terms. Domestic efforts must be complemented by an enabling international environment and the fulfilment of long-standing ODA and climate finance commitments. We share the concern on the continued decline in core funding and call for reversing this trend as it remains the foundation of UNDP's ability to act flexibly and impartially. We would simply note that the test of any reform measure will be whether it improves delivery at the country level. Lastly, Mr. President, allow me to end by expressing our deep appreciation to ASG Kani Vignarajah for her dedicated service and steadfast commitment to UNDP over the years and wish her every success in the future. Thank you.

I thank Pakistan for the statement and the last speaker this morning session. I give the floor to France, for Xavier Lapaille.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President, Administrator, distinguished colleagues. I thank the Administrator for his presentation, and I align myself with the sincere condolences to the victims on the ground in Nepal and to the families of our colleagues in Nepal. We reaffirm our support to the UNDP and its central role in the United Nations development system. there are proliferating conflicts and many emergencies and development situations. And so the UNDP is a key actor in early action and in strengthening work. The expertise of the UNDP is essential to continuing to bolster social cohesions and populations and institutions. As we've heard, this is the case in Ukraine, Lebanon, and Syria and elsewhere where UNDP is assisting UN partners and meeting needs on the ground as close as possible to the populations. France supports the UNDP and encourages it to continue its work to provide value added. We are working hand in glove with UNDP to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and the At the SDG Summit, we encourage UNDP to continue to mobilize its experience and partnerships to accompany countries in enacting their national priorities. In a context of scant resources, this work will need to be coupled with the search for efficiency. Given the needs for development, We need to rethink the logic of financing while maintaining the logic of solidarity. This is a delicate balance we must strike. France will be part of this. Partnership, investment and mobilizing capital is at the center of our approach in the G7 in terms of what needs to be done. Finally, UNAD must be a turning point to strengthen the UN development system. This transformation should be conceived of as a whole while dovetailing with the entities and attempting to avoid duplication. We encourage UNDP to show strong ambition in terms of the work of UNOPS. and we endorse the results of the evaluation that was conducted.

We will close the conversation here. I want to thank the interpreters for agreeing to continue beyond the agreed schedule. Thank you very much for your support. And in the afternoon, we start, we'll continue with such an item. We have about 10 more statements, and of course, the administrator will have the chance to react to the remaining statements. Thank you very much. This meeting is adjourned.