High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP)

Chair: Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Reporting to: Chief Executives Board for Coordination

HLCP, established on 27 October 2000, is the principal mechanism for system-wide coordination and policy coherence in the programme area. It is responsible to CEB for fostering coherence, cooperation and coordination on the programme dimensions of strategic issues facing the United Nations system. The Committee is composed of senior representatives from CEB member organizations responsible for programme planning and development who come together twice a year to meet in regular session. (See the terms of reference.)

In October 2021, HLCP agreed on an three-part strategic narrative, grounded in the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and with strong connections to key themes in the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda report, to guide its work in the near-term.

The following three inter-agency mechanisms were established by HLCP to increase coherence across the United Nations system in addressing urgent development challenges: UN-Water, UN-Oceans and UN-Energy. 

Further, HLCP utilizes efficient and effective working arrangements that are inclusive, timebound and output-oriented to address strategic policy themes and engage technical experts from across the system. Key mechanisms are listed below.