United Nations Office for Project Services

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a separate, self-financing entity within the UN system, established on 1 January 1995 by UN General Assembly resolution 48/501. Its origins trace back to 1973, and until 1994 the 'Office for Project Services' (OPS) was part of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). UNOPS works with the UN family, governments, development banks, civil society and the private sector to deliver practical solutions in infrastructure, procurement and project management. Unlike most UN entities, it operates on a self-financing, demand-driven model, receiving no core funding and recovering all costs through its projects. In 2024, UNOPS delivered $2.7 billion worth of projects and worked with 200+ partners.

UNOPS origins trace back to 1973, and until 1994 the 'Office for Project Services' (OPS) was part of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). On 1 January 1995, UNOPS was established as a separate, self-financing entity within the UN system by way of UN General Assembly resolution 48/501, against a backdrop of widespread calls for the UN system to reduce duplication, improve efficiency and effectiveness, and establish more businesslike approaches to cost and quality of service. As UNOPS marked the end of its first year of operations as an independent UN entity, its total annual delivery reached $383 million. Two years later, that figure would grow to over $500 million. In 2024, UNOPS delivered $2.7 billion worth of projects, compared to $383 million in 1995. By 2025, as UNOPS celebrates its 30th anniversary, average delivery over the past 5 years has been close to $3 billion each year.

A self-financing, demand-driven operational backbone within the UN system that helps partners turn ideas and funding into results.

1. 1UNOPSunops.org
2. 2History and evolution | UNOPSunops.org
3. 3Leadership | UNOPSunops.org
4. 4Partnerships | UNOPSunops.org