When the winds of change blow, some build walls, others build windmills.
That is a Chinese proverb that seems prophetic for our times.
A few weeks ago in Bangkok, the RBAP management team met with RBAP RRs to take stock of progress and to review new strategic directions and results, as we approach the halfway mark of the Strategic Plan. Discussions noted the invariable nature of complex challenges and uncertainties facing the region and at the same time the opportunities to provide high value offers in such a context. There was clarity that UNDP in Asia-Pacific can and must continue to elevate its pitch and support to governments, local partners and stakeholders that charts a path forward that is more just, inclusive and climate-conscious to address the state of turbulence we face in the region and globally.
I hope each of you had a chance to read the daily RMM dispatches. They touched on a number of priorities, from energy transition and low-carbon development pathways to the future of governance and what a new development model could look like for Asia and the Pacific in the 21st century. We also looked at the changing landscape of development financing, and how to optimize our core resources to leverage government financing, vertical funds and more to achieve greater scale and impact. None of this is possible without the fully integrated links and team approaches between programme and management practice. Achieving the right capability mix and operational excellence was a theme that ran through our sessions. This comes also with our increasing ability to anticipate, prepare for, and be ready for change – not just to manage through it, but to thrive with it.
Three questions for our reflection as we adjust our offers and practices:
How do we design smarter? Including better understanding the risks we face, costing them and hence managing them in more adept ways; pursuing combined approaches across teams is a must to get to scale – sometimes defined as broader, and sometimes deeper; this will often require introducing innovations including through digital and other tech, across both programme and operations…
Are we better at ‘connecting the dots’ between policy pressure points, building new capability, and attracting investment? We each must be aware of these synergies and go after these opportunities; and they are best done together. It also means revisiting and reevaluating what our ‘best offer’ is to that national entity, local stakeholder, or partner. It means dropping past ways of defining national ownership, which is not about who implements and how, but about who sets strategic direction and where informed decisions are taken. Where we can offer to implement with speed, quality and accountability, governments and partners will call on us to do so on their behalf, as the value add is clear. We, in turn, must ensure a level of excellence to make the offer unbeatable…
Are we generating the revenue that ensures we are a reliable partner beyond today? Whether it is a government or other development partner that is investing in UNDP, they must be assured of our staying power, that our purpose is clearly defined for some years, and our access and ability to deliver is sustainable. This trust is just as critical as is the effectiveness and impact of results. Hence, the many ways in which we can raise revenue to support and reinvest in the work must be integral to the business design of every intervention. This is everyone’s business, whether with communication that must tell the story, partnership builders that work with programme and policy to ensure high value offers, and a leadership with operations teams that provides viable revenue generating options that embeds new thinking and funding modalities to make it happen.
What we heard and were inspired by at the RMM was that a UNDP team, somewhere in our region or outside of it, was excelling in one or more of the above. It is now a matter of ensuring we locate and share the best of these approaches. We will organize a series of these virtual exchanges so we can take from each other to multiply those unbeatable development offers!
The winds of change in our region are hard to miss. We need windmills, not walls, to harness them.
We the people, revisited….
The week of 14 May was both a busy and exciting one in Bangkok. The city was abuzz in the aftermath of national elections on the weekend that had seen a record-breaking 39.5 million Thais turn out to vote. Meanwhile my week started alongside 23 UNDP Resident Representatives from across Asia-Pacific all in Bangkok for our annual meeting, discussing pressing challenges for the region, such as energy transition and the future of governance, but also to look into more internal issues like procurement and our overall business model.
For me, the abiding theme of the week, central to our own discussions at the Regional Management Meeting and those on the streets of Bangkok was the importance of ‘people’.
Serving the people, and the most vulnerable first, is clearly what drives many of us and underpins our commitment to the work of UNDP and our professional careers and lives. Our week together reaffirmed our view of UNDP as a values-driven development organization that first and foremost delivers results to respond to people’s aspirations and hopes. The most authentic testimony to this came on the final day, as senior managers were invited to share the personal motivation and purpose that guides their work.
The May elections saw a 75 percent voter turnout in Thailand - a significant milestone for democratic participation in the country and a reason for hope when, around the world, we see democracy on a downslope and growing public mistrust of governments and institutions.
The election results, even though still unofficial, are a strong signal that people want change and a different type of politics and governance. Recently created by younger-than-average politicians by Thailand standards, the party that got the most votes, while targeting all members of society, has been very successful in mobilizing youth. Their success can be interpreted as a sign that citizens not only remain hopeful but also want a pro-active role in society, fully aware of the challenges the country is facing in these uncertain times and looking to contribute to finding the appropriate solutions.
This focus on people and their call to be better acknowledged, fully recognized as they are and involved in the decisions that will impact them, is what strikes me as the most powerful signal of the past few years. For development practitioners, this is a double-edged issue that requires careful analysis and well calibrated action. If well managed, the energy and creativity that youth can bring to development solutions can deliver a great multiplier effect to participatory and inclusive processes that bring positive change to society. But if poorly responded to, it can also translate into widespread frustration and rapid loss of trust, leading to an even weaker social contract and higher potential for crisis.
As UNDP, we must therefore be true to ourselves and our True North – articulated elegantly in the UN Charter. We must guarantee that people and their hopes are at the center of our motivation and intent when taking action. We have to be genuine civil servants, striving to serve and care about the people we work for, respecting their dignity and always involving them in the discussions and decisions affecting them.
This is, for me, the lesson of the week of 14 May, the implicit request of the Thai voters to their political class and my personal conclusion of the UNDP Asia Pacific Annual Retreat. It is a great reminder of why I do what I do as a UNDP Resident Representative and, ultimately, who I am as a person.
UNDP offices lead efforts towards Gender Equality, reinforced by a flagship Gender Seal Programme
In Asia and the Pacific, UNDP Country Offices are rising to the challenge of attaining gender equality within and outside the organisation. A majority of offices in the region are showing an uptick in efforts to integrate gender into all aspects of their work.
UNDP country offices worldwide are tracking their performance on gender equality with the help of a flagship Gender Seal programme that measures progress on wide-ranging criteria including management and staffing inside the office, and the design and impact of UNDP’s interventions on the ground.
In late 2022, Sri Lanka joined Indonesia in the ranks of Gold-certified offices in Asia in the Gender Seal programme. Silver- and bronze-certified offices in the wider region include Nepal, Pakistan, the Pacific Office in Fiji and Timor Leste.
In 2022, UNDP launched a new Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025 which raised the bar at all levels, and sets down an ambitious agenda to work towards gender-equal economic, social, and political structures.
“Gender equality is a fundamental human right, but also a powerful catalyst for human development, justice and sustainable economic progress,” said Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Director for Asia-Pacific.
“My congratulations to Sri Lanka and Indonesia, and to all the countries in Asia and the Pacific who have made significant strides in the Gender Seal programme,” Ms. Wignaraja said.
Regional Management Meeting (May 16-19)
This year’s Regional Management Meeting opened in Bangkok on May 16 with UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, live from New York, extending his thoughts and support to colleagues hit by cyclone Mocha in Myanmar and Bangladesh. He highlighted the series of political and economic crises challenging the region at the halfway mark of 2030, stating that while the SDGs indicators and targets do not paint a great story – there is hope in what we see happening in countries. The four-day meet covered an extensive set of issues ranging from leadership in the age of poly-crisis to a mapping of UNDP’s funding, programmatic and operational landscapes. The full agenda can be accessed here. The final day saw the RBAP family bid an emotional farewell to Knut Ostby whose 33-year career with the UN ends with his RR assignment in Pakistan.
Electric Mobility (e-Mobility) and Low-Carbon Solutions for Sri Lanka
UNDP in Sri Lanka is developing a project to mainstream e-mobility through the conversion of 500,000 Tuk-Tuks to electric vehicles (EVs) or e-Tuk-Tuks over a five-year period. The project which was launched recently aims to support the conversion of petrol three-wheelers to EV three-wheelers as a means for enhancing mobility as a driver of low-carbon, inclusive, equitable development pathways within Sri Lanka, with the incubation phase supporting the conversion of 200 e-Tuk Tuks.
In Lao PDR, UXO action is a foundation for human development
One afternoon earlier this year, Sone saw a large plume of smoke rising in the direction of her house as she was returning from the market. As she ran forward, she was devastated to see that it was her home that was in flames. The fire destroyed the house and killed her husband. This tragedy was caused by a bomb dropped almost 50 years ago, which continues to affect millions of people like Sone. The Government of Lao PDR and UNDP renewed a decades-long partnership with a new UXO Programme for the five-year period 2022-2026.
This short video provides an overview of the SCALA Programme's work planned in Nepal as the country pursues a locally led adaptation approach to implement climate plans over the next few years.
Viet Nam and UNDP mark 45 years of partnership for sustainable development
In early June, the Viet Nam CO marked the 45th anniversary of founding of the UNDP office in Ha Noi in 1978. From the Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015) to the current Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030), UNDP has worked closely with the Government of Viet Nam and other partners to expand choices and ensure equal access to opportunities for all. The long-term partnership is built on trust, shared values, and an abiding confidence that Viet Nam and UNDP will work together to overcome not just the challenges of today, but also those of tomorrow.
UNDP in Indonesia in partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Health, has developed the Surveillance and Malaria Information Learning Environment (SMILE) application. This innovative mobile app aims to bolster Indonesia's efforts in combating malaria by improving disease surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment. The SMILE application provides a user-friendly platform for healthcare workers to record and monitor malaria cases in real-time, facilitating prompt responses to outbreaks.
For Fiji lessons from the pandemic are driving better preparedness
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries worldwide are prioritizing preparedness for future emergencies. Fiji, as a Pacific Island nation, faces the challenge of balancing relative safety due to its geographical remoteness with the vulnerabilities of being a developing country. To enhance its state of readiness, Fiji’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration are bringing together frontline staff, first responders, and clinicians to equip them with the necessary tools to respond swiftly to any emergency threat. With ongoing support and a culture of preparedness, Fiji is now better equipped to face traditional or non-traditional threats in a post-pandemic world.
Meet the women community rangers in the fight against wildlife crime in Indonesia
Ega, a 27-year-old Indonesian environmentalist, had a strong passion for nature and conservation. Despite limited opportunities in her home village of Toraut, she aspired to make a difference after completing her bachelor's degree. However, her life took a positive turn when she joined a local initiative that aimed to train women like her to become community forest rangers in the neighboring Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park.
How India is using tech to reshape health care
After the success of eVIN and Co-WIN, India is now on the cusp of revolutionizing the world's largest universal immunization programme for expecting mothers and newborns. U-WIN will reach out to 29 million pregnant women and 26 million newborns annually across India and support health workers in digitally tracking e-registration and the vaccination status of beneficiaries. Read this piece by Lav Agarwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India, on how Digital Tech is shaping India's healthcare system.
UNDP China's #GirlsInSTEM campaign launched on International Women's Day wrapped up last month, asking girls throughout China how they would use technology to change the world. The campaign had over 600 youth participants and received more than 10 million views on social media. Watch the inspiring video.
Mongolia has experienced a 2.1-degree Celsius increase in average air temperatures over the past 70 years, making it one of the countries most affected by climate change. This changing climate has had adverse effects on vital sectors such as agriculture, particularly animal husbandry, as well as the natural ecosystem requiring urgent and timely actions which UNDP is supporting under number of different initiatives.
From Samoa, a Mother's Day message the world needs to hear
Samoa, like many other countries, celebrated Mother's Day in May. But this special day is overshadowed by the epidemic of violence against women and girls in Samoa which continues unabated, as the dismal statistics, anecdotal evidence and the all-too-frequent media stories on instances of rape, abuse and killing of women by their intimate partners show.
As part of its continued advocacy for eliminating violence against women and girls, the joint United Nations and European Union's Spotlight Initiative has been conducting a media campaign aimed at raising awareness and, ultimately, a transformation in mindsets, attitudes and actions towards ending gender-based violence and violence against women and girls. You would have heard it on radio and television – the message is clear: Stop violence against women and girls now!
On Mother's Day, UNDP Bangladesh highlighted the story of a single mother, Aatyaia, supported by Anondomela. Aatiya is among hundreds of such amazing women and young mothers who are showcasing their work on Anondomela, an online marketplace created with UNDP suport and funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Water is lifeline of Bhutan's major economic drivers- agriculture, hydropower and tourism, but climate change poses a significant threat to the country's abundant water supplies. With support from UNDP, Bhutan is planning adaptation strategies to manage this precious resource.
With the Moonshot initiative, UNDP in Viet Nam is leading the way towards a greener future with a new electric car, helping reduce emissions and promote sustainable transportation in the country. In addition to electric vehicles, the Country Office has also introduced solar panels, waste segregation, and responsible waste management to reduce UNDP's environmental footprint. By implementing these measures, UNDP hopes to inspire others to take similar actions and contribute to the broader goal of a more sustainable future.
Labor and employment in the Philippines have been transformed by the indelible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the losses, Filipinos were quick and steadfast to adjust. Among the measures quickly adapted during such unprecedented times is to shift to digital. Despite long-standing barriers to the mass adoption of digital technologies, the Philippine government’s imposition of lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated a dramatic expansion of the country’s platform economy, which comes with substantial “gender dividends”, given the greater rate of women’s participation, lower pay gaps, and increased flexibility that can allow women to finesse their care and economic responsibilities.
UNDP Malaysia in partnership with the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) held a three-day sports workshop as part of the Sports for Enhancing Resilience and Amplifying Social Inclusion (SERASI) initiative, a funded Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) project through the European Union in Malaysia.
This photo story highlights some of the most promising solutions supported by UNDP Nepal in 2022, which range from low-wattage heating technologies and eco-friendly period products to seepage water technology for agricultural resilience and contour trenches for water protection.
In May, young climate leaders from the YECAP Climate Negotiators Training Programme, led by UNFCCC, participated in the side event, “Acceleration of Climate Action: Engagement and Empowerment of Youth for the Future” during the 79th Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific at United Nations ESCAP, Bangkok. Learn more.
The UNDP RBAP Preventing Violent Extremism Team successfully hosted Peace Connects, a youth-centered Consultation on Digital Peacebuilding in Bangkok. The event, held on May 18-19, brought together various stakeholders including CSOs, journalists, policymakers, faith-based organizations, online influencers, youth peacebuilders, and UN Agencies from South and Southeast Asia. The objective was to explore the role of digitalization in promoting peacebuilding efforts in the region. With over 70 participants from 10 countries, the Consultation focused on discussing digital harm in fragile and conflict settings and identifying localized and innovative solutions to enhance resilience against it. This marked the first time such a large-scale regional Consultation was conducted, specifically targeting youth-centered digital peacebuilding in South and Southeast Asia. The event fostered new partnerships and produced practical recommendations for programming and interventions. These recommendations have the potential to guide the development of a regional pilot for youth-focused digital peacebuilding initiatives.
Marking IDAHOBIT, the HIV and Health Group organized a series of activities, including a regional webinar, titled "Spill the T with YKP: IDAHOBIT Edition," organized together with the Inter-agency Task Team on Young Key Populations, which gave a platform for seven inspiring young leaders from the region to engage in a lively discussion on the significance of diversity, inclusion and collaboration for LGBTQI+ young key populations. UNDP Thailand, in collaboration with the Australian Embassy, Canadian Embassy, Department of Rights and Liberties Protection of the Ministry of Justice, and the World Bank, hosted a conference on the crucial role of the private sector in addressing stigma and discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals.
A new blog, “We are the change!” captures the personal stories – the courage, faith and unwavering resilience – of three high achieving trans people as they confront the unique challenges of being trans in Pakistan.
This issue of the RBAP Digest was edited and produced at the Bangkok Regional Hub by Mahtab Haider, RBAP Communications Specialist.