About UNDP

• • As the United Nations lead agency on international development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality.
  • UNDP’s work is concentrated in three focus areas: 

• sustainable development, 

• democratic governance and peace building, and 

• climate and disaster resilience.

Why in News?

• Reiterating a mutual commitment towards fast-tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, NITI Aayog and UNDP India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a framework of cooperation on a range of areas.
• The MoU was signed for a period of five years. 
• NITI Aayog is the nodal Institution for coordinating the adoption and monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national levels. 
• UNDP plays the integrator role in coordinating efforts to fast-track progress on the SDGs within the UN system.

About SDGs 

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. 
• The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which set out a 15-year plan to achieve the Goals.

• Through the pledge to Leave No One Behind, countries have committed to fast-track progress for those furthest behind first. That is why the SDGs are designed to bring the world to several life-changing ‘zeros’, including zero poverty, hunger, AIDS and discrimination against women and girls.
• Today, progress is being made in many places, but, overall, action to meet the Goals is not yet advancing at the speed or scale required.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1953208