UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Model UN

The UN Development Programme is the UN's lead agency on international development, working in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. An Executive Board of 36 member states, under the authority of ECOSOC, oversees its work. In Model UN, UNDP simulations seat countries, and their topics turn most often to poverty, debt and the Sustainable Development Goals, then to climate change.

Find a UNDP conference

Similar: UN · ECOFIN · UN · CSTD

UNDP applications closing soon

8 conferences close applications in the next 30 days. These close first.

More UNDP conferences

23 more upcoming

Browse all Model UN conferences

Where and when UNDP conferences run

The United States, Canada and Zambia host the most. December is the busiest month.

In 12 countries and online

Upcoming by month

10 in December 20267 open for applications now

15 of the 29 are for school students only and 4 for university students only; 18 are free. See all high school MUN conferences or university MUN conferences.

Most UNDP conferences are in the United States, Canada and Zambia.

UNDP topics in Model UN

Of 205 UNDP topics on mymun, 35% are about economy and development, 16% about climate and environment and 8% about cyber and AI.

ThemeShare of topics
  1. Economy and development 35%

    Example: Balancing relief for debtor Nations with the stability of the Global Financial System, Meridian Youth Connect Model United Nations

  2. Climate and environment 16%

    Example: Financing Climate Adaptation for Developing Nations, DLMUN Climate Summit VI

  3. Cyber and AI 8%

    Example: Bridging the Digital Divide in Least Developed Countries, DLMUN Conference VII

  4. Health and pandemics 6%

    Example: Improving healthcare quality and reducing child mortality in South Asia and Southeast Asia, Model United Nations Rotterdam

  5. Women and children 6%

    Example: Increasing representation of women in political institutions, Seoul Youth Model United Nations

Recent UNDP topics

  1. Bridging the Digital Divide in Least Developed Countries

    DLMUN Conference VII
    Cyber and AI

  2. Balancing relief for debtor Nations with the stability of the Global Financial System

    Meridian Youth Connect Model United Nations
    Economy and development

  3. Creating international frameworks to transfer digital technology and infrastructure to developing nations

    Seoul Youth Model United Nations
    Cyber and AI

  4. Addressing the Impacts of Rapid Urbanization

    Bonn International Model United Nations

UNDP countries in Model UN

China appears on 91% of UNDP seat lists on mymun, and the United States, the United Kingdom, France and India on 78 to 89%. UNDP's Executive Board, shared with UNFPA and UNOPS, seats 8 African, 7 Asia-Pacific, 4 Eastern European, 5 Latin American and Caribbean and 12 Western European and other states.

Most often seated

CountryShare of seat lists
  1. 1China91%
  2. 2United States89%
  3. 3United Kingdom85%
  4. 4France80%
  5. 5India78%
  6. 6Germany76%
  7. 7Japan75%
  8. 8Brazil74%
  9. 9Russia72%
  10. 10South Africa59%
  11. 11Canada58%
  12. 12Nigeria57%

Most requested

CountryShare of applicants
  1. 1France5%
  2. 2United States5%
  3. 3India4%
  4. 4China4%
  5. 5Germany4%
  6. 6United Kingdom4%
  7. 7Canada4%
  8. 8Brazil4%
  9. 9Japan3%
  10. 10Russia2%
  11. 11South Africa2%
  12. 12Finland2%

How UNDP compares

CommitteeUpcomingOpen nowRoom sizeSchool onlyMost debated
UN Development Programme (UNDP)291652%Economy and development
UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)146822144%Economy and development
ECOFIN (GA Second Committee)38102666%Economy and development
UN Environment Programme (UNEP)122692046%Climate and environment
Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)21102062%Cyber and AI

UNDP in Model UN: questions and answers

How many members does the UNDP Executive Board have?

36 member states, elected by ECOSOC.

How does the UNDP Executive Board decide?

By consensus where it can: its rules of procedure encourage consensus, and when the Board does vote, ECOSOC 's rules apply. Board members submit the draft decisions, and the Board reports to ECOSOC every year.

Is UNDP a good committee for beginners?

Yes: UNDP's Human Development Index scores countries on health, education and income, so a delegation can open its position with its own country's figures.

What topics does UNDP debate in Model UN?

Top themes in 205 UNDP topics on mymun: economy and development (35%), climate and environment (16%) and cyber and AI (8%).

Can school students join a UNDP?

Yes. 25 of the 29 upcoming conferences with a UNDP take high school delegates, and 15 are for school students only.

Prepare for your UNDP committee

Updated Nov 13, 2026