UNDP and Türkiye Reinforce Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development

A high-level strategic dialogue has reaffirmed the crucial role of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Türkiye in promoting sustainable, equitable, and peaceful development globally, regionally, and nationally. The robust partnership leverages Türkiye’s geopolitical significance and extensive development expertise to create innovative solutions and address emerging challenges collaboratively.

Since the signing of the Partnership Framework Agreement in 2011, the relationship has flourished. Türkiye hosts the UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) and the Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD), playing a significant role in UNDP’s regional programme in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Additionally, Türkiye is one of the few contributors to UNDP’s core resources with multi-year pledges, reinforcing the partnership’s strength.

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner praised the partnership’s strategic alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He highlighted the collaboration’s impact on critical issues such as green transitions, innovation, private sector engagement, and crisis response.

The consultations, co-chaired by Ivana Živković, Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS, and Esen Altuğ, Director General of Multilateral Economic Affairs of Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed to enhance the partnership’s impact. Ambassador Altuğ reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its role in supporting global development solutions.

Key discussions focused on climate action, digitalization, and assistance for least-developed countries. The dialogue underscored the importance of multilateralism and Istanbul’s emerging role as a crucial UN hub. Türkiye recently reconfirmed its multi-annual contributions to UNDP’s core resources and regional programmes for 2025-2027, bolstering UNDP’s ability to support the world’s poorest and most vulnerable regions.

This renewed commitment ensures that Türkiye and UNDP will continue to shape sustainable development frameworks, especially in complex and fragile contexts, harnessing Türkiye’s potential for future generations.