UNDP Administrator announces departure
8 January - The Administrator of UNDP, Kemal Derviş, has conveyed to the Secretary General his decision not to seek a second term and his wish to leave the position of Administrator on March 1, 2009.

Bangladesh elections hailed as transparent and credible
5 January - With UNDP's support, Bangladesh's ninth parliamentary election was peaceful and orderly, and is being hailed as the country's most credible and transparent election ever.

With 87 percent turnout, voters stood in long lines to cast their vote in the landmark election, returning democracy to Bangladesh after two years of emergency rule.