New York - The Government of France recently contributed EUR 12 million (approximately USD 13.1 million) in regular (core) resources to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the year 2024. UNDP extends its deepest gratitude to France for its continuous support in promoting sustainable development and advancing global cooperation initiatives.
Through this contribution, France is reaffirming its commitment to address some of the world's most pressing challenges, including poverty eradication, accelerating climate action and promoting gender equality. This strategic investment in UNDP's flexible resources is also crucial to enhance the organization's capacity to deliver transformative projects and nimbly respond to the rising number of conflicts and crises worldwide.
A significant portion of UNDP core funding generously provided by France and other partners is directed towards crisis response in conflict-affected countries. Out of the core programmatic budget, over 80 percent of core resources are allocated to least developed countries where development needs are greatest, and over 70 percent to low-income countries.
Additional earmarked contributions from France, totalling $6 million for 2024, will further support mine action and energy resilience efforts in Ukraine. These funds will also advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda in various countries, in line with France's feminist foreign affairs policy, and promote biodiversity protection through UNDP's Biodiversity Finance Initiative.
For example, in Thailand's Turtle Island, tourism has taking a toll on delicate marine ecosystems. The introduction of a modest user fee has generated funds that are being directed towards the restoration of coral reefs and boosting conservation efforts. This is a concrete example of innovative financing modalities in support of Sustainable Development Goal 14 on "Life Below Water', in the run up to the third UN Ocean Conference to be hosted in June 2025 in France.
This strong alignment between UNDP's mandate and France's programmatic priorities was reaffirmed during the recent meeting between the UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner, and the new French Minister of State for Francophonie and International Partnerships, Thani Mohamed Soilihi at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference.
Support from France enables UNDP to support country resilience and recovery efforts, and to deliver essential services to the most vulnerable, including through digital solutions. In Ukraine, nearly 21 million people (54% women) have used digital access to crucial services, including IDP registration, pension services, and monetary support for veterans. For this, with UNDP's support, the government launched additional 40 additional e-services on the DIA portal. Annually, approximately 1.8 million Ukrainians receive critical support from stationary and mobile administrative service centres with modern equipment.
Going forward, it remains vital to support effective multilateralism to scale-up affordable long-term financing for climate and development objectives and to address emerging challenges. UNDP looks forward to continuing its partnership with France to accompanying 120+ countries in advancing their digital transformation journey as agreed in the Global Digital Compact, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and helping to create a more prosperous, equitable future for all.
France's core resources also play a crucial role in strengthening UNDP's oversight and accountability functions. This ensures the organization can continue to deliver programmes effectively and efficiently while following the highest standards of transparency. UNDP is consistently rated among the most transparent international organizations, thanks in part to the support of countries like France.
