New York - Significant crises are demanding the attention of the international community at a time when crucial development decisions are set to be made, the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark told the Organization’s governing body today at a meeting in New York City. UNDP was fully committed to seizing the opportunity presented in 2015 to set a “transformational” agenda for sustainable development.

Addressing the Executive Board which is holding its annual session from 1-9 June, Helen Clark highlighted several critical events taking place during this year that together offer an unprecedented chance for a “renewal” of international efforts to help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.

“2015 offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to set a transformational agenda for development through global agreements on financing for development, the post-2015 development agenda, climate change, and disaster risk reduction,” she said.

Pointing to several ongoing crises around the world, among them Nepal in the aftermath of the April 25 earthquake, the ongoing conflict in Syria and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Helen Clark highlighted the need for development in these contexts to be risk-informed, resilience-based, and sustainable. In these, as in other crisis situations, UNDP’s role focuses on meeting the immediate needs of affected populations, whilst at the same time considering longer-term issues that risk slowing or reversing development gains following disasters or conflict.

UNDP’s Executive Board is made up of representatives from 36 countries around the world, serving on a rotating basis. Through its Bureau, consisting of representatives from five regional groups, the Board oversees and supports the activities of UNDP, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), ensuring that these organizations remain responsive to the evolving needs of programme countries.