Oxford Martin School Director to lead UN Development Programme

Oxford Martin School Director Achim Steiner is to take up a pivotal role with the United Nations, leading its drive to eradicate poverty worldwide. Mr Steiner, also a Professorial Fellow at Balliol College, has been appointed Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), following his nomination by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and approval by the United Nations General Assembly. The Programme, which has a budget of US$5 billion, works in more than 170 countries and territories to support sustainable development and democratic governance, and eradicate poverty. It is one of the world's largest multi-lateral development agencies, with 8,000 staff and more than 4,700 projects worldwide. It also administers the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, with almost 7,000 volunteers deployed across the world. UNDP helps countries develop the policies, leadership and institutions which can sustain their development and strengthen the foundations of peace. A key responsibility for Mr Steiner's new post, which is at UN Under-Secretary-General level, will be the UN's new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which has at its core the Sustainable Development Goals.