India has expressed concern over the continuous decline in contributions to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) at a time when the agency has to step up its activities and assist member states in their efforts to achieve the ambitious 2030 development agenda.
First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Mohd Noor Rahman Sheikh said at the annual session of the UNDP and UN Population Fund Executive Board that nations are entering the phase of implementation of the transformative Agenda 2030 to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNDP as the main development UN Agency has to play a key role in assisting member states in their efforts. While India has been contributing to South-South Cooperation, he pointed out that North-South Cooperation is declining and needs to be scaled up to help meet objectives of 2030 agenda.
He said, India concurs with the observation made in the UNDP Administrator Helen Clark’s report that national ownership remains a key driver of performance for the agency’s srategic plan. Mr Sheikh added that UNDP can focus more on projects relating to achieving greater energy efficiency, anti-corruption measures, basic services and global development financing.
UNDP also needs to continue to address cross-cutting issues and promote long- term growth and development in developing countries. On Evaluation Policy, he said India has long held that the “independence” of the Independent Evaluation Office should be maintained beyond doubt.