Asia-Pacific Regional Centre

Focus Areas (Practices)

Democratic Governance

Democratic governance is central to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as it provides the ‘enabling environment’ for the realization of the MDGs and, in particular, the elimination of poverty. The critical importance of democratic governance in the context of development was highlighted at the Millennium Summit of 2000, where the world's leaders resolved to "spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development." World leaders recognized that improving the quality of democratic institutions and processes, and managing the changing roles of the state and civil society in an increasingly globalized world are pre-requisites to efforts to reduce poverty, sustain the environment, and promote human development.

The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Asia-Pacific Regional Centre (APRC) supports democratic governance reforms, innovations and solutions at national and regional levels, promoting rights-based approaches to development and supporting programmes and development interventions aimed at enhancing people’s choices and increasing their access to political, economic, and social opportunities and advancement. The RCB’s Democratic Governance Practice, comprised of a team of 16 governance specialists provides technical, policy advisory and capacity building support to UNDP Country Offices and National/Local Counterparts in 37 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Democratic Governance Programme work of the RCB is supported through two flagship regional programmes – The Asia Regional Governance Programme (ARGP) and the Regional Indigenous Peoples’ Programme (RIPP). The ARGP implements programmes and funds development activities in all six UNDP Governance Service Lines: Parliamentary Development; Electoral Systems; Access to Justice and Human Rights; Access to Information and E-Governance; Decentralization and Local Governance; and Public Administration Reform and Anti-Corruption. The RIPP Programme specializes in promoting and advancing the rights and development aspirations of indigenous peoples in Asia and works towards enhancing policy dialogue between indigenous peoples and governments.

For more information on the ARGP, RIPP and its activities, please call: +66 2-288-1829 or +66 2-288-2741.

• Asia Regional Governance Programme (ARGP)
• Regional Indigenous Peoples' Programme (RIPP)

Service Lines

• Decentralization and Local Governance
• Electoral Systems and Processes
• Justice and Human Rights in the Asia-Pacific
• Parliamentary Development
• Public Administration Reform and Anti-Corruption

Programmes/Initiatives

• Aid coordination and management
• Media and Accountability
• Public-Private Partnerships for the Urban Environment (PPPUE)

Climate, Environment and Energy

Achieving long-term ecological sustainability with continued economic growth and human well-being remains one of the biggest challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region. Countries in the region recognize that deteriorating land, water and air quality, and the loss of ecosystems and their services, undermine socioeconomic development.  It is also realized that climate change is exacerbating these problems, through for example increased thermal stress, more severe and frequent droughts, storms and floods, sea-level rise and accompanied coastal inundation and salt water intrusion, all increasing the vulnerabilities of people and their livelihoods. Furthermore dependency on fossil fuels for energy services and the management of chemical pose particular challenges in the region.

The Climate, Environment and Energy team in Asia-Pacific effectively assists countries to preserve and sustainably use local and global environmental assets for achieving sustainable development outcomes. Work is primarily delivered through the UNDP country offices and includes facilitating access to environmental funding sources, assisting in preparing and implementing projects, supporting policy dialogues, developing and applying tools and methodologies, disseminating best practices, sharing knowledge and building capacity. The RCB Climate, Environment and Energy team is responsive to national priorities and is based on UNDP’s mandate to build national capacity for human development. The RCB Climate, Environment and Energy team focuses on the following thematic areas: Ecosystems and Natural Resources, Water, Land, Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Energy, Ozone Layer Protection and Chemicals Management.

For more information go to the Climate, Environment and Energy webpages or download the Climate, Environment and Energy brochure.

• Climate, Environment and Energy in Asia-Pacific
• Climate, Environment and Energy Key Services
• Climate, Environment and Energy Thematic Areas
  • Ozone Layer & Chemicals Management
  • Climate Change Adaptation
  • Climate Change Mitigation
  • Ecosystems & Natural Resources
  • Energy Access for Poverty Reduction
• Climate, Environment and Energy Key Financing Sources
• Mangroves for the Future (MFF)
• Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI)
• UN-REDD Programme
• Global Programme on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) for Least Developed Countries and Small Islands Developing States (LDC-SIDS)
• Climate, Environment and Energy brochure

Crisis Prevention and Recovery

Natural disasters or conflict can erase decades of economic and social development, further entrenching poverty and inequality throughout Asia-Pacific. How nations prepare for, deal with, and learn from natural disasters and conflict have great bearing on sustainable development and the quality of life throughout Asia-Pacific. The Regional Centre assisted in the response to the Tsunami disaster at the end of 2004, and is helping countries to strengthen their disaster preparedness.

The Regional Centre addresses conflict prevention, natural disaster reduction, and post-crisis recovery to bridge the gap between emergency relief and long-term development. An appreciation of linkages between vulnerability to disaster and poverty will be fostered by the Regional Centre and Country Offices. Lessons learned from past natural disasters and conflict can be used as today’s tools to mitigate fallout from future upheavals. Services are also offered in mine action including land surveys, clearance programmes, mine risk education and survivor assistance. The aim is to create conditions for the resumption of normal economic activity, reconstruction and development.

Tsunami Response at the Asia-Pacific Regional Centre

• Regional Tsunami Resources and Results Tracking
• Tsunami Regional Programme for Capacity Building

Capacity Development

Cap2015 Asia provides a regional platform for partnering and sharing experience in addressing cross-cutting aspects around capacity development and sustainability.

• Capacity Development

HIV and Development

UNDP works to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and reduce its impact. As a trusted development partner, and co-sponsor of UNAIDS, it helps countries put HIV/AIDS at the centre of national development and poverty reduction strategies; build national capacity to mobilize all levels of government and civil society for a coordinated and effective response to the epidemic; and protect the rights of people living with AIDS, women, and vulnerable populations. Because HIV/AIDS is a world-wide problem, UNDP supports these national efforts by offering knowledge, resources and best practices from around the world.

• HIV and Development

Management Advisory and Support Services

The Regional Centre helps UNDP Country Offices become even more effective partners with support and advice on:

• project management
• human resources
• procurement issues
• resource mobilization and financial management
• organizational development
• developing partnerships.
• Private Sector Partnerships