PRESS STATEMENT
For immediate Release
New York, 10th June 2026 – Zambia has called for a transparent, evidence-based and independent assessment of all options regarding the proposed merger between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS.
Speaking on behalf of African Executive Board members from Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tunisia and Nigeria during the Annual Session of the Executive Board of the UNDP, UNFPA, and UNOPS, being held at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 8th to 11th June 2026, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Chola Milambo, who is representing Zambia as Vice President on the Executive Board, underscored that any reform must be anchored in country-level realities and focused on delivering results for people.
The Executive Board serves as the intergovernmental body responsible for providing oversight, strategic guidance and governance to the three organizations, reviewing policies, programmes, budgets, institutional performance and key reform initiatives.
Dr. Milambo reaffirmed Africa’s support for a stronger, more coherent and effective United Nations development system, but underscored that the information presented to the Executive Board did not yet provide sufficient clarity to support an informed decision on the proposed merger.
The Permanent Representative reaffirmed that reforms should ultimately be judged by their impact on development outcomes and their ability to deliver meaningful results for the communities served by the United Nations.
He called for a consolidated technical assessment of all merger options, a robust independent evaluation of costs, risks and benefits, and a clear comparison with alternative arrangements, including maintaining separate entities with enhanced integration.
Earlier, UNDP Administrator Mr. Alexander De Croo said a merger could create a real powerhouse by combining UNDP’s policy expertise with UNOPS’ infrastructure and implementation capabilities.
UNOPS Executive Director, Mr. Jorge Moreira da Silva indicated that UNOPS largely favours a brand-new entity rather than a merger. A decision on a possible merger is yet to be made.
Deputy Permanent Representative, Ms. Stenah Shampile and Counsellor Economic, Mrs Mwila Daka also attended the meeting.
Issued by:
Namatama Njekwa
First Secretary for Press and Public Relations
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations
