Statement by Grete Faremo, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNOPS, to UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board First Regular Session, New York – 6 February 2020

For the fourth year in a row, UNOPS has received gold level distinction from the world's leading procurement and supply professional body, remaining the only organization globally to do so.

On the organization’s 25th birthday, UNOPS doubles down on its commitment to helping partners achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the ‘decade of action’ ahead.

Four hours northwest of Guatemala City, amid the Western Highlands and at the foot of the Santa María volcano, lies the country’s second largest city Quetzaltenango – or as it is more commonly known, Xela, derived from its old Mayan name, Xelajú.

How fighting corruption and strengthening procurement capacities is bringing improved public healthcare for millions of people across Guatemala – and reaching those that need it most.

While the people of Guatemala have universal access to healthcare, needs are not always met. Guatemala’s public healthcare system is challenged with limited resources, an increasing number of patients, high medical and treatment costs, and poor infrastructure.

Luisa Esperanza Ordóñez Gómez lives in the small town of Cipresales, located two hours from the city of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala with her parents, grandparents and other relatives. The Ordóñez family belongs to the Mam indigenous community – a Mayan group that lives in southeastern Mexico and Guatemala.

A new UNOPS-supported report published by The Economist Intelligence Unit concludes that less wasteful, more efficient government spending practices can free up resources to address a critical funding gap in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo will give a TED talk on how better infrastructure can improve gender equality.

The first regular session of the UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS Executive Board will take place in New York at UN Headquarters. You can watch the live proceedings of the Executive Board via UN Web TV or follow #unopsEB on Twitter.

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting engages the world's top leaders in collaborative activities to shape global, regional and industry agendas, with the goal of improving the state of the world. UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo will be participating in this event.

UNOPS in Serbia 2000-2020