UNDP and the UN

UNDP and the UN

UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

Building on the progress of the Millennium Development Goals, world leaders have now pledged to implement a new set of Sustainable Development Goals over the next 15 years. The new Global Goals are people-centered and universal in nature,  aiming to end poverty in all its forms and promote healthy lives and wellbeing for all.  They are also planet-sensitive, seeking to drive urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts and to conserve and responsibly use oceans and marine resources for sustainable development.

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:

In all our activities, UNDP encourages the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

Improving efficiency and effectiveness

2015 is a critical year for the world. At UNDP, we see 2015 as a huge opportunity to advance the global sustainable development agenda. With the Millennium Development Goals expiring soon, UN Member States are now set to act on their pledge to meet the 17 new SDGs by 2030, and set a more sustainable course of economic and social development over the next 15 years. The SDGs implementation will need fresh vision and new ways of doing business. UNDP is well positioned for both. UNDP is fully committed to playing its part in making 2015 a launch pad for stepped up efforts to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and exclusion and combat climate change for a better planet.

UNDP in Malaysia today provides strategic policy-oriented advice and support for the national policy agenda as well as institutional capacity building in a number of key areas, in line with the agreed country programme for Malaysia (2008-2012).  The Country Programme, developed through a broad multi-stakeholder consultative process and agreed with the Government, responds to Malaysia’s own five-year development plan, the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) and outlines five strategic areas for action: (a) move the economy up the value chain; (b) raise the capacity for knowledge and innovation; (c) address persistent socio-economic inequalities constructively and productively; (d) improve the standard and sustainability of the quality of life; (e) strengthen institutional and implementation capacity.

UNDP’s work on the ground prioritises the following thematic priority areas:

  • Responses to both the Short-Term and Longer-Term Implications of the Global Economic and Financial Crisis
    In the short term, support will be provided to strengthen analytical and empirical research capacities to understand the transmission belts of the crisis in the Malaysian economy with a view to proposing responsive policy measures while the medium and long term support through UNDP will prioritize areas of structural change likely to be necessary if Malaysia is to make the transition to a high value-added, globally competitive knowledge-based economy and achieve its Vision 2020.
  • Addressing Socio-Economic Challenges and Existing Inequalities

Support will be provided for the eradication of hardcore poverty and the improvement of equity. Priority will be placed on addressing the challenges faced in the rural areas, particularly in Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan and Terengganu. Initiatives to improve equity between states, population groups and the rural-urban divide will also be prioritized with a focus on indigenous communities and other population groups which exhibit widespread and deep-rooted poverty incidence.

  • Towards Improved Quality of Life through Sustainable Environmental Management and Addressing National Energy Security

Support that contributes towards improved environmental management will be prioritized in three strategic areas: (a) enhancing environmental management of biodiversity and natural resources, including water resource management; (b) climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives in partnership with the Global Environment Facility and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol; and (c) incorporating environmental considerations into the planning of nonenvironmental agencies. In addition, support will also be provided to assist and strengthen the analysis and planning of national policy responses that seek to strengthen medium to long-term energy security.

  • Strengthening Gender Empowerment and Promotion of Integrity

Initiatives which empower women to progress within the social, economic and political spheres will be emphasised. Support will also be provided for institutional capacity building for the newly formed Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission, and the National Human Rights Commission if requested

  • Promoting South-South Cooperation Initiatives for Development

Malaysia will be supported to increasingly play a leading role in South-South Cooperation. Malaysia is increasingly looking toward playing a leading role in supporting the development of Africa, of poorer countries within the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as in sub-regional growth triangles. As the UN’s global development network, UNDP is uniquely placed to support such efforts at South-South Cooperation.

UNDP in Malaysia continues to forge partnerships with a wide range of international, regional and national stakeholders in its efforts to support Malaysia’s development priorities and address the challenges facing it. Our partners range from the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department, federal government ministries and agencies, and local governments to civil society and non-governmental organisations, the private sector and the media. In addition, UNDP is an integral part of the UN Country Team in Malaysia, working closely with other UN agencies to address national issues which are cross-cutting in nature, for example HIV/AIDS, healthcare reform and human rights and development.

For more information, please visit: http://www.undp.org

The UN Country Team in Malaysia

The UN Country Team in Malaysia is dedicated to supporting sustainable development to empower women, men and children all Malaysians, but especially the poorest and most vulnerable. The UN is working to help people to live free of poverty, violence, HIV and AIDS.

The UN in Malaysia works closely with the Government of Malaysia and partners in support of the country’s national development priorities. Through its individual agencies and specialised funds, the UN in Malaysia also supports coordination of national and international action to protect the rights and well-being of invisible and excluded communities, including refugees and migrants.

We are guided by the principles and values of the UN Charter, the Millennium Development Goals and other fundamental UN treaties such as, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

The UN Country Team in Malaysia is led by the UN Resident Coordinator, and is represented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF);  and the World Health Organisation (WHO). In addition, UNU, UNU-International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) and WHO-Global Services Center (WHO-GSC), World Food Programme (WFP), and UN Security (UNDSS) are also part of the UN family in Malaysia.
 
There are other UN organizations, such as UNCTAD which run regional projects based out of Malaysia, and yet others such as UNESCO, ILO, UNAIDS, UNIDO and UNOHCHR which collaborate with the Government of Malaysia but are non-resident.

For more information, please visit: http://www.un.org.my

UN agencies in Malaysia