The MPI is used as a tool for governance, with national MPIs specifically designed to reflect and monitor policy priorities. The MPI is also used as a tool of policy coordination across sectors, programmes, and levels of government. Thus, the MPI is used to align government instruments (budget allocation, targeting, programme and policy design, and so on) with the aim of reducing poverty in all its dimensions.

For example in Colombia, the MPI is considered at a national level in round table meetings of relevant Government ministers. They meet several times a year to coordinate policies that will address the deprivations included in the MPI. This is a good example of multi-sectoral, integrated policy development. Others examples are provided below.