UNDP: 300 posts to be moved to Bonn
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is to move nearly 300 posts from New York to Bonn. Foreign Minister Wadephul: important political signal
New York/Bonn (dpa) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is relocating almost 300 posts from its headquarters in New York to Bonn. Approximately further 100 posts will move to Madrid, the organisation announced. No timetable has been given.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul welcomed the decision. “This strengthens Bonn as a UN hub. It is also important politically as it signals confidence in German foreign policy – especially at a time when the UN system and multilateral principles are under pressure,” he said, adding that global challenges such as wars, hunger and environmental destruction could only be addressed through cooperation.
According to its own figures, the UNDP operates in around 170 countries and territories and employs some 22,000 staff. The vast majority – more than 19,000 – work in country offices and regional centres. Bonn is already one of the largest UN locations in Europe, alongside Geneva and Vienna. The city on the Rhine hosts 27 UN bodies with around 1,200 employees and is also home to the federal government’s second seat. The UN Climate Secretariat (UNFCCC) has its global headquarters in Bonn, as do the UN Volunteers programme (UNV) and the secretariat of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
