| Overview : The United Nations Development Group (UNDG) unites the UN funds, programmes, specialized agencies, departments, and offices that play a role in development in over 131 countries. The UNDG was constituted in 1997 following the UN General Assembly’s endorsement of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s report “Renewing the United Nations: A Programme of Reform”. Since 2008, the UNDG has been one of the three pillars of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB), the highest-level coordination forum of the United Nations system. The CEB brings together the executive heads of UN organizations under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General to provide broad guidance, coordination and strategic direction for the system as a whole in the areas under the responsibility of executive heads. Focus is placed on inter-agency priorities and initiatives while ensuring that the independent mandates of organizations are maintained. Within the CEB structure, the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP) promotes system-wide cooperation, coordination and knowledge sharing in programme and operational areas. The High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM) identifies and analyzes administrative management reforms with the aim of improving efficiency and simplifying business practices, while the UNDG is responsible for coordinating UN operational activities at the country level. The UN at country level The UNDG is currently present in 158 countries and territories through the presence of its members and observers. UN agencies, funds and programmes represent the United Nations team at country country level and through their representatives, they conform the UN country team. The country team is coordinated by the the UN Resident Coordinator. Resident Coordinators, lead UN country teams in more than 130 countries and are the designated representatives of the Secretary-General for development operations. Working closely with national governments, Resident Coordinators and country teams advocate the interests and mandates of the UN system while drawing on the support and guidance of the entire UN family | 
