EU Statement: Second Regular Session of the of the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS: UNOPS Segment Item 11

27 August 2025, New York — Statement on behalf of the European Union as a Donor delivered by Mr. Renaud Savignat, Counsellor, European Union Delegation to the UN, on the Second Regular Session of the of the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS, UNOPS Segment Item 11: UNOPS Strategic Plan, 2026-2029

Mr. President, Mr. Executive Director, Excellencies, pricey Colleagues,

I’m delivering this assertion on behalf of the European Union as a donor.

The EU commends UNOPS for the progress achieved and reaffirms our longstanding partnership in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome the presentation of the Strategic Plan and Results Framework for 2026–2029. 

In the context of the UN80 reform agenda, we worth UNOPS’ ambition to scale up and speed up as a demand-driven and agile accomplice. At the identical time, we’re involved that the eight proposed “missions” might lack focus. Some, just like the triple planetary disaster, are overly broad, whereas others, like SIDS, describe difficult contexts reasonably than priorities. 

We would have welcomed a clearer articulation of how UNOPS will deploy its experience most successfully below UN80. While the plan rightly highlights UNOPS’ potential to attach private and non-private actors, modalities for PPPs, risk-sharing, and leveraging personal capital stay underdeveloped.

Looking forward, and within the roll-out of the Strategy, we see the next as presenting most potential for the EU and companions. 

First, effectivity and system management. UNOPS ought to lead by instance, specializing in its comparative benefits, strengthening partnership-based supply fashions, and contributing to system-wide efficiencies. 

Second, give attention to sustainable infrastructure and enabling environments. UNOPS’ efforts, as illustrated by its work below the Global Gateway with the EU and Team Europe, reminiscent of in South Sudan and Sierra Leone, exhibit its capability to ship influence. Beyond implementation, its position as a impartial facilitator, scaling up capability by way of advisory companies and partnerships, is more and more important.

Third, addressing fragility, battle, and political complexity. Our collaboration in Myanmar, Afghanistan, Gaza, Yemen or Ukraine highlights UNOPS’ important position in enabling sensible investments in difficult contexts.

On the 2026–2027 price range, we be aware of the proposed estimates and the shift to a results-based budgeting strategy. We encourage UNOPS to make sure that transparency, effectivity, and worth for cash stay central in useful resource allocation.

Mr. President, Mr. Executive Director, the EU has stood by UNOPS in troublesome moments up to now years. While we do count on focus, we reiterate our help for its future oriented journey and stay up for this new part of partnership.

Thank you.