The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Spain have signed a Host Country Agreement that will establish a new UNDP presence in Madrid, strengthening international cooperation and support for sustainable development initiatives.
Under the agreement, around 100 UNDP employees will be based in Madrid, creating a new platform to expand partnerships, improve collaboration, and help countries advance development solutions.
The Madrid office will focus on supporting efforts to mobilize and align public and private financing, promote integrated development approaches, and help translate global commitments into practical action.
A key area of focus will be supporting the implementation of international development frameworks, including the Sevilla Commitment, which aims to address the estimated $4 trillion annual financing gap needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo welcomed Spain’s support, saying the agreement reflects the country’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and will help the organization remain more flexible, effective, and connected to the countries and partners it serves.
The new Madrid presence is part of a wider UNDP restructuring and relocation process involving nearly 400 positions. Around three-quarters of these roles will move to Bonn, Germany, while approximately one-quarter will be transferred to Madrid.
New York will continue to serve as UNDP’s global headquarters, while the organization maintains its operations across 170 countries and territories with a workforce of around 22,000 people.
The establishment of the Madrid office is expected to strengthen UNDP’s ability to connect governments, financial institutions, and development partners while advancing solutions for global challenges such as sustainable growth, climate action, and poverty reduction.
