UNDP STRATEGIC PRIORITIES IN THE FIELD OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: TRANSFORMATION IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBAL CHALLENGES (2014-2025)

Objective. The objective of the article is to study the transformation of strategic priorities of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the field of sustainable development in the period of 2014–2025. Methods. The following general scientific methods and techniques of cognition are applied in the research process: methods of scientific abstraction, analysis and synthesis (to study the transformation of the strategic priorities of the UNDP in the field of sustainable development in the period of 2014–2025), systemic generalization (to identify the prerequisites and challenges that led to the rethinking of approaches to development, adjustment of strategic goals, areas of UNDP activity aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, features and trends in the integration of changes into the strategic goals and areas of UNDP activity). Results. The results of the study identify the prerequisites and challenges that led to changes in UNDP approaches to sustainable development activities, the formation of strategic priorities in the context of growing global instability (transition from the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals, global inequality and poverty, environmental and climate threats, slow economic recovery after the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, geopolitical instability, gender inequality, conflicts, wars, mass migration, weak governance, crisis financing for development, the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, demand for inclusiveness, human rights, digitalization). According to the results of the analysis of the integration of changes into the strategic goals and areas of UNDP activity in 2014-2025, the following features and trends are identified: a shift in UNDP priorities from economic development to social policy; the emergence of new environmental and energy programs since 2018; stabilization of key areas such as gender equality, governance and resilience to crises with a shift in emphasis from democratic governance and risk management to good governance (institutional effectiveness) and resilience to external influences (including conflicts and economic shocks); greater adaptation of UNDP Strategic Plans to unforeseen events; transformation of technology and information from an enabling tool to a key driver of development. A transformation of UNDP’s strategic priorities for 2014–2025 are established from predominantly general reforms with an emphasis on institutional development and economic growth in 2014–2017 to more focused social and environmental initiatives from 2018. (shifting emphasis on poverty alleviation, ensuring environmental security, developing sustainable energy and strengthening resilience to crises), which reflects UNDP's adaptation to new global challenges, such as greening, social inequality, the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic consequences, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation (2022), economic turbulence and indicates an increase in social orientation, environmental responsibility and preservation of UNDP's institutional priorities, in particular in the areas of governance and ensuring gender equality.