Introduction

In 1990, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the first global Human Development Report (HDR). Since then, 23 global HDRs have been produced. These reports have sought to raise awareness and generate debate on a range of public policy issues and concerns. A 1994 General Assembly resolution observed that the Human Development Report is the result of an independent intellectual exercise that is separate and distinct from other UNDP activities. Following this, in 2003, a second General Assembly resolution further recognized the HDRs as “an important tool for raising awareness about human development around the world.” UNDP started to produce regional HDRs in 1994 and has since produced 33 regional and subregional reports. Over US$130 million has been spent on global, regional and subregional HDRs produced since 2004.

Related Subject(s): Economic and Social Development