The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, responsible for promoting development worldwide. Mark Malloch Brown heads this UN Agency.
The primary aim of the UNDP currently is to support the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Since 1999 Mark has served as the UNDP Administrator. He is responsible for the overall work of the UNDP in the 166 countries where it works. "From politics to security to public health, from crime to the environment, a growing agenda of development issues can no longer be managed within the boundaries of any single nation", said Mark. "It is clear that UNDP not only needs to be a strong advocate of UN reform, but be active in making it happen".
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), approved by the UN in 2000, are the overarching guide for current UNDP work. Mark believes that a key part of this is engagement of all sectors of society. "Vital to the success of getting the MDGs on track now is civil society mobilization, where young people in particular have a critical role to play. Young people not only represent the future, they are also a rich source of the kinds of innovative solutions needed to address some of the most pressing problems facing us today". He asserted adding, "This is a defining moment for the world to make the course changes necessary to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger".
The role of the UNDP has changed and expanded over the years, and Mark emphasized the need to ensure that the operation of the organization is kept relevant and up-to-date. He said, "While we have achieved a great deal after a number of years of reform and modernization, critical challenges remain for our organization, both in terms of our own working practices and how we can work better with our partners. It is clear that UNDP not only needs to be a strong advocate of UN reform, but be active in making it happen".
A British citizen, Mark graduated with a bachelors degree in History from Cambridge University, UK and Masters degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan, USA. Prior to working with the UNDP, Mark worked as Vice-President for External Affairs and Vice-President for United Nations Affairs with the World Bank. He also worked for several years with a strategic communications management firm, as the political correspondent of
, and with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
In the future, Mark stated that the UNDP will focus on the Millennium Development Goals. He asserted, " For UNDP, ensuring that our organization is flexible enough to respond to the diverse needs of all developing countries has never been more critical".
