In 2025, UNDP’s core resources fell by 24 per cent to $442 million, representing just 9 per cent of total contributions — the first time the core share has fallen below 10 per cent. Funding has also become more fragmented, shorter-term and more narrowly earmarked, precisely when countries need integrated solutions that can endure. Core resources are what enable UNDP to deliver on its mandate: to operate in 170 countries and territories, to act early, to work in the most difficult environments, and to combine expertise across governance, crisis response, climate, poverty reduction, digital transformation, gender equity and sustainable finance in ways that narrowly earmarked funding cannot.

The UNDP Strategic Plan 2026–2029 is our response to this changing world. It places sustainability, social protection, strong governance, prevention and resilience at the centre of development. It accelerates digital and AI transformation, advances gender equality, and expands the use of sustainable finance. At the same time, UNDP is strengthening its own efficiency, optimizing its operating model, and protecting the institutional capabilities that countries depend on.

The results show what this partnership makes possible. In 2025, UNDP reached 1.1 billion people across 170 countries and territories. More than half of our expenditure — $2.67 billion — was directed to crisis and fragile settings, including Afghanistan, Gaza, Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan and Ukraine. UNDP earned its twentieth consecutive clean audit opinion and directed 91 cents of every programmatic dollar to development activities.

The multiplier effect is equally clear. Every $1 of core funding unlocked $10 in additional resources, and since 2022 UNDP has helped countries align and leverage $920 billion in public and private finance for the Sustainable Development Goals. Investing in UNDP is therefore not only an investment in programmes; it is an investment in national capacity, institutional resilience and the ability to mobilize far greater resources for sustainable development.

We are deeply grateful to the partners who maintained or increased their core contributions during a period of significant fiscal constraint, particularly the Governments of Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain. We are equally grateful to the partners whose multi-year commitments give UNDP the predictability needed to plan, respond and deliver: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Qatar, Sweden and Türkiye.

The continued growth of Government Development Finance is another powerful expression of confidence in UNDP. Through this modality, programme countries invest their own resources in partnership with UNDP to advance national priorities. In 2025, programme countries increased their share of annual contributions to 32 per cent, or $1.6 billion. Donor countries remained an essential pillar of the funding base, contributing 36 per cent, or $1.8 billion.

Our message to donor countries is one of partnership, urgency and confidence. We ask for a renewed commitment to predictable, flexible and multi-year financing; broader engagement from traditional and emerging partners; and continued investment by programme countries themselves. We recognize the difficult fiscal choices many partners face. But if resources cannot grow, then flexibility matters even more. Shifting a greater share of earmarked contributions to core allows every dollar to work harder — sustaining UNDP’s presence where needs are greatest, unlocking additional resources, and protecting the institutional capabilities on which countries rely.

As you read this Funding Compendium, I hope you will see both the scale of what has been achieved and the opportunity before us. Every contribution entrusted to UNDP delivers measurable results, multiplies value beyond its initial investment, and helps countries build a more resilient, prosperous and sustainable future. With the continued partnership of donor countries, UNDP can keep turning trust into results — and results into lasting progress for the people and communities we serve.