Women bear the burden of global water scarcity, and empowering their leadership in water management promotes health, education, and peace.
UNDP
Danish actor and Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nikolaj Coster-Waldau shares stories about the people he met and the human innovation, resourcefulness and creativity he saw while visiting UNDP’s programmes around the world and filming his documentary An Optimist's Guide to the Planet.
For institutions to be effective, accessible and truly responsive to people’s needs, they must reflect the societies they serve. When more women sit on the bench, entire societies benefit.
Across fragile regions, women restore forests, manage scarce resources, and rebuild livelihoods, showing how climate resilience and peace grow stronger when communities empower women.
In Colombia’s Guaviare department, once marked by fear of jaguars, local communities are transforming conflict into coexistence. As hunting, deforestation and shrinking prey fueled attacks on livestock, retaliatory killings pushed the species toward local extinction. Since 2021, a community‑led governance strategy has united organizations to create the Jaguar Protection Corridor, promoting ecotourism, education and sustainable practices that protect both livelihoods and wildlife, reshaping human–jaguar relations. Read the full story to see how coexistence becomes a path to conservation.
Kuxatur is a community-centered initiative in Mexico that builds sustainable tourism models to protect biodiversity, strengthen local livelihoods, and balance ecosystems with growing visitor demand.
Exposed to the world of science, technology, engineering and mathmatics (STEM) at a young age, Leen Alaya, a 24-year old innovator from Aleppo, Syria, is on a mission to revolutionize the way children learn programming - with a little help from UNDP. “Some of my earliest memories are of accompanying my mother to work at the University, where she was a professor in the Faculty of Computer Systems Engineering,” recalls Leen. By age eight, she was participating in national informatics Olympiads and hackathons, demonstrating a keen interest in problem-solving and programming. Read all about her innovation called Voo.
When it comes to climate action, major emitters receive prominent coverage. But there’s another story, less often told, that deserves attention. At the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), over the past decade, we have been working hand in hand with over 90 percent of all developing countries on advancing local and national climate action. Here are some highlights from 2025.
With global wealth abundant but unevenly connected, investing in human capital through solidarity, domestic resources and private financing is both the smartest and most effective way to close development gaps and achieve the SDGs.
In Kazakhstan, becoming a falconer demands time, dedication, and a deep understanding of birds of prey. Tleukabyl Yessembekuly, a farmer from Aksu-Ayuly and founder of the local farmers' association, learned the virtues of patience and vigilance through falconry. Faced with ecological challenges from climate change and land-use shifts, Yessembekuly proposed a project to restore natural springs and plant forage crops. His initiative received backing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme, managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan.
In Gaza, Palestinians have endured two years of devastating war, leading to significant losses, including loved ones, homes, and personal belongings. They have witnessed the destruction of roads, schools, apartment buildings, and hospitals. Amid these challenges, they are working tirelessly on the frontlines of recovery. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is facilitating safer and healthier communities by clearing debris, restoring wastewater systems, wells, and providing clean water to those in need. In 2025, UNDP projects employed 2,819 local workers to support essential services across Gaza.
The coming years will be decisive in determining whether global cooperation can overcome economic slowdown, conflict and division to advance peace, prosperity and sustainable development.
Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities in Acre, Brazil, are pioneering forest conservation — and shaping how climate finance is used to keep their forests standing. Told through their own voices, UNDP's documentary reveals how they navigate daily realities while protecting Acre’s Amazon Forest for future generations.
Nestled between majestic mountains and shimmering waters, Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Basin is more than a scenic wonder, it is a living landscape rich in biodiversity, cultural heritage, and community spirit. Today, this region is at the heart of a powerful movement to restore and protect nature through a global initiative that supports community-led conservation and empowerment by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative promotes sustainable agriculture and organic farming, restoration of wetlands and wild plant habitats, ecotourism and youth education and community training. It combines innovation with traditional knowledge.
In 2025, the global community notched important achievements for human well-being. But conflict, disasters and other crises clouded the skies over the development landscape. Against strong headwinds, countries took determined steps towards realizing their visions for a sustainable development. And the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was at their side. Marking its 60th anniversary, UNDP continued to evolve to meet the complex challenges of the present while laying the foundations for a more resilient future. Here are some snapshots from its work with partners, in 2025.