The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has signed together with the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Alexander de Croo, the new Strategic Partnership Framework Spain-UNDP for the period 2026-2029. The document sets a projected contribution of 9,330,000 euros for 2026, channeled through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
This instrument constitutes the fourth strategic framework agreed between Spain and the UN agency, which, according to the ministry in a statement, consolidates the UNDP as a "long-term partner for Spanish Cooperation."
The allocation of the AECID for 2026 guarantees "budgetary continuity" compared to the previous year and incorporates "two new multiannual lines of work." Among the priorities are the Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFF) —which add to the multiannual support for electoral assistance—, the strengthening of the Nexus Academy initiative, and various actions aimed at launching the triple Nexus of humanitarian-development-peace.
Commitment to stable multilateral financing
With this framework of collaboration, Spain reaffirms its commitment to "predictable and flexible" multilateral financing, aimed at protecting operational capacity, global presence, and compliance with the mandate of the UNDP as a United Nations agency.
During the meeting, Albares defended the need for a "strong, effective, and capable United Nations to respond to the challenges of the 21st century" and emphasized that "advancement as humanity is only possible through strategic alliances."
At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs visited the new UNDP offices in Madrid, where the relocation of around 100 jobs in the capital has taken place.