The former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Flemish liberal) is to become the new Head of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP). The news first appeared in the daily ‘De Morgen’ and has since been confirmed by VRT News sources. Mr De Croo’s appointment means that he will resign as a member of the Federal Parliament.
As the Head of the UNDP Mr De Croo will automatically become Vice Secretary-General of the UN. This means that he will work closely with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Head of UNDP is 3rd highest position within the United Nations.
Mr De Croo’s appointment should have come sooner. However, the jury whose task it was to choose a new Head of UNDP was unable to reach an agreement and so it was up to Secretary-General Guterres to decide on who should be given the job. The UN General Assembly will have to confirm Mr De Croo’s appointment. However, this is no more than a formality.
There were 5 candidates for job of Head of UNDP. Mr De Croo will have a 4-year mandate that can be extended. He will be able to start his new job before the end of the year. Alexander De Croo Federal Development Aid Minister from 2014 to 2014 and Federal Primer Minister from 2020 to 2024.
His impending resignation from the federal parliament means that his party collegue Sandro Di Nunzio will replace him as an MP. Me Di Nunzio is First Alderman in the East Flemish municipality of Lochristi. Mr De Croo will also have to leave his post as Mayor of his home municipality of Brakel (East Flanders). His party colleague Marleen Gyselinck will become Acting Mayor for the duration of Mr De Croo’s absence.
Structural aid
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is based in New York and focuses on poverty reduction, the fight against inequality, climate change and good governance. It employs around 23,000 people worldwide.
UNDP does not provide emergency aid, but rather structural aid. In Ukraine, for example, the organisation is involved in rebuilding cities that have been heavily bombed. In Asia and Africa, it runs all kinds of programmes related to clean energy.