Joint Statement First Regular Session UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board Agenda Item 11 – UNDP Evaluation

New York, 4 February 2026

Formative evaluation of the UNDP funding windows/ Management response to the formative evaluation of the UNDP funding windows

Thank you, Mr. President.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of 17 Member States, namely Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, and my own country, Luxembourg. At the outset we would like to thank Ms. Mercier for presenting the findings of the evaluation of the Funding Windows and Mr. Neto for presenting the UNDP management response.

We recognize Funding Windows as an important instrument to help bridge the gap between core and tightly earmarked non-core resources. When well designed and transparently managed, they enhance flexibility, enable portfolio approaches, and support integrated responses to complex development challenges—while maintaining donor confidence and accountability. In this regard, we value the Funding Windows as an important tool for advancing the objectives of the Funding Compact.

We welcome the first independent evaluation of Funding Windows and its practical recommendations. We consider this a timely opportunity to further strengthen the funding instrument and encourage management to take the recommendations forward in a systematic and transparent manner, in line with the New Strategic Plan of UNDP.

From a member state perspective, we would like to underscore four key points.

First, strategic clarity. The Funding Windows have undergone significant improvements since 2019, aligning more closely with the Strategic Plan and addressing previously underrepresented areas. We welcome these developments and encourage further refinement to maximize their strategic impact, integration, and contribution to the Plan’s implementation. We would welcome further reflection on how UNDP can sharpen the identity and purpose of the Funding Windows. The evaluation also raises questions about windows with very limited funding, including what the optimal number of windows should be and whether a window supported by only one or two donors can deliver sufficient strategic impact.

Second, governance and transparency. Predictable, timely, and accessible reporting on allocations, results, and lessons learned is essential. This includes clarity on decision-making processes, risk management, and how resources are prioritized across regions and thematic areas.

Third, results and learning. We encourage continued emphasis on results-based management, including evidence of how Funding Windows enable innovation, catalytic financing, and partnerships. Evaluations and learning exercises should meaningfully inform future design and implementation. To this end, we encourage UNDP to develop appropriate targets and indicators, to effectively monitor progress in implementing the recommendations and Management Response commitments.

Fourth, complementarity across the system. We encourage reflection on how the Funding Windows can support greater coherence across the UN development system, reduce fragmentation, and contribute to system-wide objectives, including UN development system reform. In this context, it would be useful to better understand how Funding Windows position themselves in the evolving UN80 context and how they relate to other pooled funding mechanisms.

Finally, we wish to reiterate that flexible funding depends on trust. We appreciate the constructive and transparent process around the evaluation and the openness to donor input. Continued dialogue, responsiveness to feedback, and a clear demonstration of added value and value for money will be key to sustaining and broadening donor engagement.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, we look forward to the implementation of the evaluation’s recommendations and to continued dialogue on how this funding modality can best support UNDP’s Strategic Plan, the Funding Compact, and the 2030 Agenda.

Thank you.