Who might be the candidates for heading UNDP?

Applications for who should replace Achim Steiner as the Administrator of UNDP closed on the 9th of June. So far, no white smoke from the UN Secretary General's office.

Before looking at the potential candidates, let's look at some of what Achim achieved. Some of his key achievements and initiatives during his tenure:

Championed South-South Cooperation:

Steiner actively promoted the role of the Global South in driving development solutions and advocated for stronger partnerships between countries of the Global South, notably through the BAPA+40 Conference in 2019.

Modernized UNDP's Approach:

His first Medium Term Strategy showed that Steiner wanted to reinvent UNDP, shifting its focus from traditional development coordination to a more mission-driven, service-oriented approach, emphasizing its role in helping countries chart their development paths. This was a more networked approach to development bringing together teams from across the UN system to deliver what developing countries needed.

Strengthened Partnerships:

He fostered stronger partnerships with various stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders to enhance UNDP's impact and reach. By doing so not only brought in their expertise but also their resources.

Promoted Sustainable Development:

Steiner consistently advocated for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), integrating sustainability into UNDP's work across various sectors and promoting a vision where environmental protection and economic growth are compatible.The UNSDG is a group of 40 UN entities, including UNDP, that work together to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The UNDP Administrator serves as the Vice-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, providing strategic direction and oversight to ensure a coherent and effective UN development system.  UNDP's integrator mandate, which involves connecting countries with knowledge, resources, and networks, contributes to a strong UN development system and supports a Focused on Future-Proofing UNDP:

He emphasized the need for UNDP to adapt to evolving global challenges and opportunities, ensuring the organization remains relevant and effective in addressing the needs of its partner countries. integrating strategic foresight, data-driven approaches, and digital transformation initiatives. This includes leveraging data for better policies, supporting countries in building sustainable digital societies, and anticipating future shocks to minimize negative impacts.

Strengthened UNDP's Role in Crisis Response:

He highlighted UNDP's crucial role in post-conflict and disaster recovery, citing examples like the rapid deployment to Iraq after ISIS liberation. UNDP's approach emphasizes integrating humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts, focusing on building resilience, strengthening social contracts, and addressing the root causes of fragility.

Difficult political world

The current political landscape is widely perceived as difficult and polarized, marked by increased division and negativity, both within countries and globally. This is fueled by factors such as partisan polarisation among policymakers and the electorate, as well as growing public dissatisfaction with the performance of democratic institutions and multilateral institutions.

The Global Risk 2025 World Economic Forum identified several risks: 

• Declining Optimism
• Deepening geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions
• A growing sense of societal fragmentation
• Environmental risks - from long-term concern to urgent reality
• Technological risks - still “under the radar”

Coupled to this, there is a shrinking in Overseas Development Aid and competition (with the World Bank and many of the Regional Development Banks) in delivering development and access to what funds are available in the 21st century.

With the review of UN mandates and a reduction in funding for the UN and its different bodies making it much more difficult to deliver what they are being asked to, let's look at who might have submitted a CV to head UNDP.  So who might be the candidates

The candidates that are rumoured to have applied are the following:

Bård Vegar Solhjell (Norway): The Norwegian government has officially nominated Solhjell as their candidate for the UNDP Administrator position. 

Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand): The former Prime Minister of New Zealand is also rumored to be a potential candidate. 

Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica): Grynspan currently serves as the Secretary-General of SEGIB (Ibero-American Secretary General) and previously held the position of UN Under-Secretary-General. 

Izumi Nakamitsu (Japan): Nakamitsu is also listed as a potential candidate. 

Alexander De Croo (Belgium): De Croo is another individual being considered for the role. 

Jens Christian Wandel (Denmark): Wandel is also among the potential candidates. 

Chrysoula Zacharopoulou (France): Zacharopoulou is also being considered for the position.