The Development Account provides its ten the mostly non-resident implementing entities (DESA, ECA, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP, ESCWA, UNCTAD, UNEP, UN-Habitat and UNODC) with the ability to apply their vast knowledge and know-how to deliver capacity development support to selected stakeholders. Projects provide a bridge between the headquarters of the implementing entities and the field, enabling those entities to apply their normative and analytical expertise on the ground and to support the development of sustainable capacities. Through the support of the Account, the ten implementing entities are able to follow up on intergovernmental processes and their analytical work with concrete projects at the multi-country, sub-regional, regional and global levels. Most of the projects are focused on multiple countries, often least developed countries, landlocked least developed countries, and small island developing States, frequently across multiple regions, and involve the United Nations Secretariat and United Nations system entities, as well as partnerships with national Governments and other development partners. The projects are designed and implemented in response to needs expressed and demands made by Member States, as well as recommendations and decisions made in the intergovernmental processes and relevant governing bodies.

The Development Account serves as an important operational facility for testing new and innovative development approaches. When successful, such approaches can be scaled up and replicated to improve development results, with funding from outside the Account. The Account also provides a mechanism for promoting the exchange and transfer of skills, knowledge and good practices among target countries, including in different geographical regions, for example, through South-South cooperation and through cooperation with a wide range of partners in the development community.

Over the years, continuous learning has become a major focus of the Development Account, in particular by strengthening the implementation of projects in successive tranches by adopting results-based management approaches, project results frameworks and quality control and monitoring mechanisms, placing an emphasis on partnerships and conducting evaluations. Most importantly, throughout the existence of the Account, there has been a continuous effort to strengthen its focus on the achievement of real results in the project countries. The selected stories in the links below provide examples of successful projects delivered with support from the Account.