The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on UNDP and our wide range of partners. World leaders have pledged to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals, including the overarching goal of cutting poverty in half by 2015. UNDP's worldwide network links and coordinates global and national efforts to reach these Goals.

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:

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. 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.

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