Permanent Mission of India
New York

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First Regular Session of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS on Interactive Session with UNDP Administrator

Statement by Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative
3 February 2026

 Mr. President,

We extend a warm welcome to Mr. Alexander De Croo and express our deepest gratitude for his dedicated leadership as UNDP navigates the complexities of a rapidly evolving global landscape.
 

2. India’s partnership with the United Nations Development Programme spans more than six decades and represents one of UNDP’s most comprehensive and enduring country relationships. Over the years, UNDP has been a valued development partner, supporting India’s national priorities in poverty reduction, social inclusion and institutional strengthening through close engagement with States and Union Territories.

3. The UNDP’s collaboration with the Government of India in responding to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic is a notable collaboration in recent years. Capacity building of frontline workers and support for vaccine delivery contributed to effective outcomes that are now being discussed as global best practices.

4. UNDP has also worked closely with NITI Aayog in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals at both national and sub-national levels, through a highly effective localisation of SDGs. Its participation in the launch of the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Movement by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 5 June 2022 reflects strong alignment with India’s vision of sustainable and responsible development. I would like to place on record our appreciation for UNDP’s support in the preparation of India’s third Voluntary National Review, presented last year.

5. The UNDP Country Programme for India for 2023–27 sets out an ambitious and forward-looking agenda for achieving the SDGs. Its focus on strengthening evidence-led institutions, expanding economic opportunities and social protection, and advancing climate-smart and resilient development aligns well with India’s national priorities. We particularly note the emphasis on sustainable finance, inclusive health systems, skills and livelihoods, women and youth employability, climate action, biodiversity conservation, circular economy and disaster resilience at both state and community levels.

6. India also values UNDP’s strong partnership in operationalising the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. UNDP remains a key implementing partner, helping translate India’s commitment to demand-driven, inclusive South-South cooperation into tangible development outcomes across more than 70 partner countries.

7. Looking ahead, as countries seek to recover and build back better, the international community still has a historic opportunity to restore progress toward the 2030 Agenda. To this end, adjustments in global financial and economic systems, national policy frameworks and patterns of production and consumption are required. In this context, UNDP’s role as a trusted development partner remains crucial.

8. India strongly reiterates that South-South cooperation is a foundational pillar of the United Nations development system and an indispensable instrument for developing countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and therefore expresses grave concern over the proposed 46 per cent reduction in UNDP’s allocation to the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation under the 2026–2029 Strategic Framework. This sharp and disproportionate cut, is understandably far exceeding the average reductions across UNDP programmes and would seriously compromise UNOSSC’s capacity to effectively discharge its mandate, including its critical role in trust fund management that directly serves the interests of a large number of developing countries.

9. India strongly urges UNDP to ensure that reforms do not curtail the UNOSSC’s essential programmatic and operational capabilities, thereby weakening South-South cooperation in practice. India therefore firmly urges UNDP to urgently reconsider and review the proposed allocation to UNOSSC and expects these serious concerns to be addressed in the final Strategic Framework for 2026–2029.

Thank you Mr. President.