The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was created by the United Nations on January 1, 1966. It is the UN’s global development network that focuses on advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. The committee's main focus areas are sustainable development, democratic governance and peacebuilding, climate and disaster resilience. It provides expert advice, training, and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. Through the process of aiding development within countries, the program also promotes gender equality and the protection of human rights. The UNDP wants to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. The program works in nearly 170 countries and territories, where it works with local governments to work on development challenges and develop local capacities. The UNDP also led countries to accomplish the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were eight international development goals for the year 2015 by the Millennium Summit. They now work towards the Sustainable Development Goals, which are based off of the MDGs and aimed to be completed before 2030.  Development within a country is extremely important as it reaches different topics that the United Nations face and because of the significant benefits that it brings, which include increase in economic performances, living standards, sustainability, and equality.