Governance is defined by UNDP as “the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels. It comprises mechanisms, processes and institutions, through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate their differences”.

Democratic governance emphasises the need for governance processes and institutions to be participatory, transparent and accountable, effective and equitable, and promoting the rule of law. It ensures that political, social and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in decision-making over the allocation of development resources. Democratic governance is valuable in its own right, but it is also central to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) because it underpins equitable growth and the elimination of poverty.

The democratic governance programme at UNDP China works extensively with government ministries and institutions at all levels to promote legal reform, protection of human rights, increased accountability, transparency and responsiveness of public institutions, and broad civic participation in public policy dialogues and decision-making. UNDP also actively partners with civil society as wide public participation is crucial to achieving balanced, inclusive, and equitable development.

UNDP China’s projects in the field of democratic governance supports the development of policy recommendations for legal and governance reform, pilot initiatives at central and local levels, capacity building of counterpart ministries and organisations, the promotion of international conventions, and increasing access to international experience for our partner organisations.

In all its work, UNDP China cooperates closely with the China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges, government ministries and institutions, and civil society organisations.