UNDP Social and Environmental Compliance Unit

05/21/2026

🌍 On this World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, SECU highlights the power of intercultural dialogue in achieving sustainable development and further recognizes that meaningful consultation with local stakeholders and indigenous knowledge holders is fundamental to social and environmental development.

💡Here at SECU, our compliance investigations aim to hold UNDP accountable to the diverse voices of the communities we serve. When cultural heritage is at risk or local communities feel excluded from the decision-making of a UNDP project, SECU’s compliance investigations provide a critical avenue for dialogue, accountability, and continuous learning.

✍By investigating grievances and ensuring that our Social and Environmental Standards are upheld, we work to protect cultural rights and guarantee that marginalized and indigenous voices are heard and respected in all UNDP-related activities.

📌If you would like to submit a complaint about a UNDP project, click here to contact us: https://www.undp.org/secu/submit-request



Photo Credit: UNDP Indonesia/Andi Pratiwi

05/01/2026

يتوفر الآن التقرير الموجز النهائي لمراجعة الامتثال الصادر عن وحدة الامتثال الاجتماعي والبيئي (SECU)، والتحليل التفصيلي والنتائج والتوصيات الخاصة بالقضية رقم ، المتعلقة بمشروع "صندوق تمويل تحقيق الاستقرار" (FFS) التابع لبرنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي في العراق، باللغتين الإنجليزية والعربية عبر الرابط التالي: هنا.

فُتحت هذه القضية في عام 2023 عندما تلقت وحدة الامتثال الاجتماعي والبيئي شكوى من أحد سكان غرب الموصل، ادعى فيها تعرض ممتلكاته ومنازل أخرى في حيه لانهيار جزئي نتيجة عدم كفاية أعمال إعادة التأهيل ضمن مشروع برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي. وفي حين خلصت وحدة الامتثال إلى أن الأضرار التي لحقت بممتلكات مقدم الطلب لم تكن مرتبطة بهذا المشروع، إلا أن التحقيق حدد ثغرات في تطبيق المعايير الاجتماعية والبيئية (SES) لبرنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي، بما في ذلك القصور في توثيق تقييمات المخاطر ومحدودية إشراك أصحاب المصلحة.

أُحيلت تقاريرنا، بما تشمله من نتائج وتوصيات، إلى مدير برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي لاتخاذ القرار والمتابعة. وعقب صدور قرار المدير، ستقوم وحدة الامتثال بمراقبة القضية لتتبع سير تنفيذ الإجراءات المتفق عليها من قبل مكاتب برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي المعنية.

نود أن نشكر جميع الذين ساهموا في مراجعة الامتثال هذه؛ إذ لم يكن إنجاز هذه التقارير ممكناً لولا انخراط

05/01/2026

📢 The final SECU Compliance Review Summary Report and the Detailed Analysis, Findings and Recommendations for case , concerning the UNDP Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) project in Iraq, are now available in English and Arabic here: https://secu.info.undp.org/case/secu0022.

🔎 This case was opened in 2023 when SECU received a complaint from a resident of West Mosul who alleged that their property alongside other houses in their neighborhood have partially collapsed due to inadequate rehabilitation under the UNDP project. While SECU found that the damage of the requester’s property was not related to this project, the investigation identified gaps in the application of UNDP SES, including shortcoming the documentation of risk assessments, and limitation in stakeholder engagement.

📤Our reports, including their findings and recommendations, have been transmitted to the UNDP Administrator for decision and follow-up. Following the Administrator’s decision, SECU will monitor the case to track the implementation of the agreed actions by relevant UNDP offices.

👏We would like to thank all those who contributed to this compliance review. These reports would not have been possible without the engagement of all stakeholders involved.



Photo Cred: UNDP Claire Thomas

04/20/2026

📂 The Final Monitoring Report and Closure Note for case , regarding UNDP's “Integrated and Transboundary Conservation of Biodiversity in the Basins of the Republic of Cameroon (TRIDOM II)” project is now available in English and French in our case registry: https://secu.info.undp.org/case-file/secu0008

🔎 This case was opened in 2018 when SECU received a complaint from individuals of the Indigenous Baka community alleging abuses by eco-guards as well as breaches of indigenous and human rights, protection of customary access to land, free prior informed consent (FPIC), and meaningful consultation.

📝 Following SECU’s Investigation Report published in 2020, the UNDP Administrator directed UNDP Cameroon to reformulate the TRIDOM II project to comply with all UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards (SES) and further incorporate the Indigenous Baka communities into its project design before moving forward with any activities.

🎯 UNDP Cameroon has since reformulated the project and, with maintained monitoring by SECU since 2022, taken measures to advance FPIC, community consultation, Grievance Redress Mechanism implementation, among other UNDP SES. SECU has now closed this case and will remain available to key stakeholders for any further concerns.

10/24/2025

8️⃣0️⃣years ago today, the United Nations was officially established, marking a transformative moment in the global pursuit of peace, justice, and human rights. Since then, the UN has stood as a powerful symbol of international cooperation and shared responsibility.

🤲Accountability is essential to ensuring that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) fulfills the goals outlined in the UN Charter.

👁️‍🗨️By conducting compliance reviews, SECU helps ensure that UNDP’s actions remain aligned with its founding ideals.

👊As we reflect on the creation of the UN, we are reminded that peace is not a static ideal, it requires vigilance and accountability to thrive.

09/02/2025

Check out the Summer 2025 edition of SECU Spotlight, the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit's newsletter--newly renamed to mark our 10th anniversary!

Welcome to the Summer 2025 edition of SECU Spotlight, the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit’s newsletter—newly renamed to mark our 10th anniversary! For real-time updates, visit our website, browse our case registry, and follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Bluesky, and YouTube. We hope yo...

08/08/2025

🌍 August 9th is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. SECU recognizes the rich diversity, enduring presence, and resilience of Indigenous communities around the world.

🌳At SECU, we acknowledge that as stewards of nature and culture, Indigenous Peoples have long safeguarded our planet’s ecosystems, offering invaluable knowledge and sustainable practices that help to preserve our world.

🤲We offer gratitude and respect to Indigenous peoples, recognizing their contributions and committing to ensure that their voices are heard.

Photo: UNDP Peru

04/28/2025

📣📢 SECU has published the Final Compliance Review Report for Case SECU0017, related to the "Sector Privado y Agenda 2030" project in Colombia. The report has been submitted to the UNDP Administrator for a decision. SECU will monitor the implementation of the Administrator’s decision once it is issued.

📣📢 SECU ha publicado el Informe Final del Examen de Cumplimiento para el Caso SECU0017, relacionado con el proyecto "Sector Privado y Agenda 2030" en Colombia. El informe ha sido enviado al Administrador del PNUD para su decisión. SECU dará seguimiento a la implementación de la decisión del Administrador una vez que sea emitida.

To read the final report (available in English and Spanish), please visit:

Home Case File - SECU0017 Case File SECU0017 "Sector Privado y Agenda 2030" and related projects Status: Open - Administrator Decision Country: Colombia Requestor(s): Amazon Watch** (see below) Synopsis of Issues Raised: The complaint alleges that UNDP Colombia's project agreement with GeoPark, a Ch...

11/20/2024

✨Descubre cómo los mecanismos de rendicion de cuentas pueden protegerte a ti y a tu comunidad de los impactos no deseados de proyectos financiados o implementados por instituciones de desarrollo internacional.

Fecha: Martes, 10 de diciembre

Hora: 11:00 a.m. Washington, Ecuador, Perú, Colombia, Panamá
10:00 a.m. Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica
12:00 p.m. Bolivia, Venezuela
1:00 p.m. Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay

💡En este seminario aprenderás:

🌎Qué son los mecanismos de denuncia de los instituciones de desarrollo y cómo funcionan.
👥 Cómo pueden ayudarte si consideras que un proyecto puede tener impactos sociales o ambientales en tu comunidad.
📋Requisitos y pasos para presentar tu denuncia ante las instituciones internacionales.

🌟 ¡Protege tus derechos y participa! 💪

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=BRr7nR1fmkSJYGKry0eefXliUuRU1wlOu9dhFWrMT8lUNjBaVEQxVTZCTURRWFpSUEcxOTJTMVA3SC4u&route=shorturl

11/06/2024

SECU is at the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability General Assembly! 🌍

We’re excited to connect with leaders and advocates this week to discuss accountability, climate justice, and human rights across Africa. If you’re attending, feel free to reach out—we’re available for discussions throughout the event and eager to collaborate!

09/27/2024

🎥🌍In celebration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information on September 28th, SECU is excited to release our latest outreach videos!📽️

https://lnkd.in/enmujvZM

https://lnkd.in/eZzrGKSa

🔍SECU plays a key role in advancing transparency and accountability across all UNDP project/programme activities. These videos provide a clear explanation of our mission and the compliance review process, highlighting how our independent and transparent process promotes sustainable development while respecting the rights of all stakeholders.

Take a moment to explore our videos and see how we put our mission into action! 💡

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