About the United Nations in India
The United Nations is an international organisation founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.
India is a founding member of the United Nations, signing the UN Charter, along with 50 other countries, on 26 June, 1945.
The United Nations has a long history of close co-operation with the Government of India and today the United Nations system in India includes 26 organisations that have the privilege to serve in the country.
The Resident Coordinator in India
The Resident Coordinator, the designated representative of the UN Secretary-General to the Government, leads the UN Country Team in advocating the mandate of the United Nations, while drawing on the support and guidance of the entire UN family.
United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF)
In India, as in other countries in the world, our work is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF), a framework of cooperation, results and strategies between the Government of India and the United Nations system in India to contribute to the achievement of national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UNSDF was framed following a highly participative process, in consultation with government entities, civil society representatives, academia, and the private sector. The focus areas include poverty and urbanization; health, water, and sanitation; education; nutrition and food security; climate change, clean energy, and disaster resilience; skilling, entrepreneurship, and job creation; and gender equality and youth development. Across outcome areas, the UN also supports the Government of India on south-south cooperation, in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs.
The UNSDF is underpinned by the overarching principle of the SDGs to leave no one behind, echoing the Government of India’s message of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas (development for all). The programmatic work outlined in the UNSDF targets the seven low-income states (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, MP, Odisha, Rajasthan, UP), the North-East region, and the aspirational districts identified by the NITI Aayog. Work focuses on improving the lives of the most marginalized, poor, and vulnerable communities and people in the country, especially women and girls.
The UNSDF also includes a set of UN flagship programs that are aligned with major government schemes. The flagship programs will be scalable, innovative and multi-sectoral solutions to some of the most pressing development challenges that India faces, while also serving as catalysts for increased investment of development finance.
