As an integral part of the United Nations, UNOPS provides infrastructure, procurement and project management services for a more sustainable world. Combining the best of the UN and the private sector, UNOPS helps its partners maximize the positive impact of their humanitarian and development projects – with equality, inclusiveness, sustainability and resilience at the core of its work.

UNOPS origins trace back to 1973, and until 1994 the Office for Project Services was part of the UN Development Programme. By decision of the UN General Assembly, UNOPS became a separate, self-financing entity within the UN development system on 1 January 1995. Today UNOPS supports governments, the United Nations, and other partners in achieving Member States’ Global Goals, and local objectives for people and countries.

Recognizing the critical role UNOPS role plays in providing meaningful expertise to countries in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, UN Secretary-General António Guterress said: “In countries such as Yemen, Iraq, Somalia and Colombia, UNOPS technical support to UN agencies in procurement and other specialized areas has expedited the provision of relief services to millions of people in need, and in doing so, contributed to more stable and secure societies.”

A self-financed organization, the UNOPS business model is built around the delivery of services that increase the effectiveness of peace and security, humanitarian and development projects. Service lines focus on sustainability and national capacity development, while the organization’s financing promotes lean, effective delivery. UNOPS flexible structure and global reach means a quick response to partners’ needs, while gaining the benefits of economies of scale.

UNOPS continues to reflect transparency and accountability in its operations. The organization also maintains the highest international standards in its work – reflected through the ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, Global Reporting Initiative Gold, International Federation of Consulting Engineers(FIDIC), and PRINCE2. UNOPS is also the only organization globally to receive gold-level distinction for sustainable procurement four years in a row from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), the world’s leading procurement and supply professional body.

In its commitment to building a resilient, sustainable and inclusive future for all, UNOPS operations are agile, flexible and responsive. Activities range from the rehabilitation of infrastructure in post-conflict areas to supporting emergency response and recovery efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Kabul, Afghanistan, only 20 per cent of roads are paved, making traffic congestion and accidents an everyday occurrence. As a result, access to essential services like education or health are restricted for many. UNOPS, with funding from the government of Japan, rehabilitated and widened the existing roads to improve road safety for a range of users.

The northern governorate of Jordan bordering Syria was facing challenges with the influx of Syrian refugees after civil war broke out in 2011. The limited capacity of existing infrastructure worsened the situation. With support from the government of Japan, UNOPS rehabilitated old water pipes to reduce water leakage and improve the drainage network. This led to more efficient use of Jordan’s scarce water resources and helped prevent conflict over water resources between the host communities and Syrian refugees.

In May 2021, in order to rapidly address some of the shortages in essential medical equipment amid the COVID-19 pandemic in India, 1,500 ventilators and 2,500 oxygen concentrators were provided with funding from the government of Japan, and 300 Japan-made ventilators were transported under emergency procurement procedures. The equipment was provided within about two weeks of the project’s approval and enabled timely support to hospitals in India.

UNOPS works rapidly and efficiently in situations where urgent assistance is required, and contributes to the effective implementation of Japan’s foreign policy by providing quality infrastructure.

UNOPS Tokyo Liaison Office promotes collaboration with Japanese partners, including the government of Japan, the private sector, research institutions and NGOs, in order to deliver much-needed assistance to all corners of the world.