UNDP and Andean Community to formalize partnership against poverty in the region

New York, December 6, 1999. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Andean Community was signed an agreement today to strengthen joint initiatives against poverty in the Andes region.

Building upon UNDP's close relations with the Andean countries, the signing of a "Memorandum of Understanding" formalizes the relationship and paves the way for a closer partnership, sharing expertise in each field of development. The agreement also establishes a system for regular consultation between UNDP and the General Secretariat of the Andean Community.

The Andean Community integrates political, economic and social relationships between Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The integration began in 1969 when the five countries signed the Treaty of Cartagena. Today, the Andean Community encompasses a population of about 105 million people and a total land mass of some 4,710,000 square kilometers. The combined Gross Domestic product (GDP) of the Andean Community exceeds US$286 billion.

Through a unique network of 132 country offices, UNDP helps people in 174 countries and territories to help themselves, focusing on poverty eradication, environmental regeneration, job creation, and the advancement of women. Eighty-seven percent of UNDP's core programme funds go to countries with an annual per capita income of $750 or less. These countries are home to 90 percent of the world's extremely poor.