Over the past ten years, Türkiye and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have developed a strong partnership across Europe and Central Asia, supporting programmes that strengthen institutions, mobilize resources, and respond to crises and economic challenges. Since UNDP established its regional hub in Istanbul in 2015, the partnership has grown beyond a traditional host-country relationship, enabling collaboration on shared development priorities, testing new approaches, and translating policy into tangible results.
Türkiye contributes diplomatic reach, a dynamic private sector, and experience in recovery and resilience, while UNDP provides development expertise and a regional network. Together, they have advanced resilience, institutional capacity, crisis response, and digital innovation across the region. Regional initiatives, including the Istanbul Development Dialogues and Istanbul Innovation Days, facilitate cross-border collaboration, policy reform, and knowledge exchange, with over 80 policy dialogues and events convened between 2022 and 2025. Other efforts, such as the Regional Circular Economy Forum and ‘Waste to Wealth’ dialogue, promote sustainable growth and climate action.
The partnership also enables practical solutions to complex development challenges, using innovative financing tools and portfolio-based development methods. Regional programmes support arms control, local economic development, and stability, including initiatives like the City Experiment Fund, Aid for Trade, and Mayors for Economic Growth. Türkiye’s private sector plays a crucial role through the Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD), connecting investment and entrepreneurship with development solutions. Programs like SDG Investor Maps and micro, small, and medium enterprise support have boosted businesses and women’s economic empowerment, while crisis-response initiatives mobilized over US$130 million across 22 countries.
At the national level, Türkiye and UNDP collaborate on digital and green transitions, promoting digital skills, e-commerce, smart agriculture, recycling systems, and low-carbon development. The partnership’s strength is particularly evident in recovery and resilience efforts, such as support for Syrians under temporary protection and rebuilding after the 2023 earthquakes. UNDP contributed to the Türkiye Earthquakes Recovery and Reconstruction Assessment (TERRA) and provided support for debris recycling, livelihood restoration, education infrastructure, and cultural heritage protection, benefiting thousands of small businesses, including women-owned enterprises.
Looking forward, Türkiye and UNDP will continue to expand regional cooperation under the Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and the Regional Programme for Europe and the CIS. Partnerships will focus on climate action, sustainable growth, and institutional strengthening, building on a decade of successful collaboration. The experience demonstrates that combining leadership, expertise, and regional engagement can deliver practical solutions to complex development challenges and support long-term resilience and transformation.
