Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific

Helping countries turn regional collaboration into real progress for people and the planet

The Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific serves as the overarching framework under which UNDP manages programmatic interventions in the Asia-Pacific Region. Through co-funded regional, sub-regional and multi-country initiatives, practical policy support and innovation platforms, the programme helps countries advance sustainable development that benefits people and protects the environment.

The Regional Programme Document (2026-2029) was adopted by the Executive Board during its Second Regular Session in August 2025, along with UNDP Strategic Plan (2026-2029).

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Regional Programme: Cooperation that delivers

Asia-Pacific is facing converging pressures, from climate impacts and inequality to uneven progress on gender and youth opportunity. At the same time, renewable energy is expanding, climate finance is growing and new solutions are emerging.

Partnership at regional, subregional and transboundary levels is critical to turning this momentum into results that no country can achieve alone. With trusted relationships across governments, civil society and the private sector, and deep country presence, UNDP can broker cooperation that accelerates collective action.

By investing at regional level, partners help scale solutions strengthen the systems and protect development gains across Asia and the Pacific. Through the regional programme, partners gain:

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"The Regional Programme is how UNDP supports cross-border collaboration and joint responses to transboundary development challenges, that are often in politically and geographically hard-to-reach places."

— Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific

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Bridging global ambition and country priorities through regional collaboration

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The UNDP Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific turns the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026–2029 into action by linking global ambition with country priorities. It brings partners together to design and deliver integrated solutions to development issues that cross borders and are best tackled at regional scale, complementing country level work.

Through co-funded regional and multi-country initiatives, practical policy support and innovation platforms, the programme helps countries work together to advance sustainable development that benefits people and protects the environment. It reflects the four strategic priorities and three accelerators of the UNDP Strategic Plan.

Strategic Priorities

Healthy Planet

Aligning environmental, economic and social goals to navigate climate and nature transitions

Healthy Planet

The regional programme helps countries work together across borders to manage climate and nature risks and build lasting resilience.

Turns global climate and biodiversity commitments into coordinated national action
Supports countries to work together on shared environmental risks and transboundary challenges and strengthen linkage between climate and health
Advances green, circular and blue economy solutions that align growth with environmental sustainability.
Works with those most affected by environmental change, including women, youth, informal workers and indigenous peoples, to shape fair and inclusive green transitions.

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Water and Oceans

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Green Transition

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Climate Finance

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Climate and Health

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Circular Economy and Waste Management

Prosperity for All

Inclusive economies that expand decent work, strengthen social protection and enable all to thrive in green and digital transitions

Prosperity for All

The regional programme helps countries build more inclusive economies that expand jobs, skills and business opportunities for all.

Supports decent job creation and strengthens social protection systems, while mobilising blended finance for investments countries cannot finance alone.
Enables countries to coordinate policies and investments, reducing duplication and unlocking scale.
Promotes data-driven policymaking, innovation and cross-country learning to expand economic opportunities.
Expands opportunities for those most often excluded, including women, youth, migrants, persons with disabilities, informal workers and small businesses

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Future-Oriented Strategy and Governance for Results

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Digital and AI

Effective Governance

People-centered, accountable, digitally enabled governance systems that deliver equitable services and strengthen public trust

Effective Governance

The regional programme helps countries strengthen governance systems that are inclusive, accountable and able to respond to fast-changing economic, digital and social realities.

Strengthens public services, justice and oversight institutions, improving transparency and accountability, including through digital innovation.
Promotes human rights, civic participation and responsible business practices, enabling meaningful engagement between citizens, governments and the private sector
Expands representation and ensures decision-making reflects diverse voices, including women, youth, persons with disabilities and crisis-affected groups
Improves how institutions function and how people interact with them, helping build trust, resilience and more equitable societies.

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Access to Justice

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Youth Moonshot

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Business and Human Rights

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Urban Governance

Crisis Resilience

Anticipatory and integrated approaches to prevent risks, support recovery and embed resilience in long-term development.

Crisis Resilience

The regional programme helps countries build integrated systems that anticipate, absorb and recover from shocks — embedding resilience into long-term development rather than responding to crises after they occur.

Strengthens risk governance, early warning systems and preparedness, embedding resilience into development planning
Supports rapid, equitable response and recovery when crises occur.
Expands access to crisis and climate financing, links recovery with social protection, and strengthens cooperation on transboundary risks.
Promotes inclusive dialogue and peacebuilding, supporting women and youth to take leadership roles in crisis prevention and recovery.

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Preventing Violent Extremism

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Disaster Resilience

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Digital and AI Transformation

Harnessing technology to expand economic opportunity, improve services, close capability gaps and strengthen digital governance and safeguards

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Gender Equality

Addressing barriers to work, finance and leadership, and promoting inclusive decision-making and responsive policy design

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Sustainable Finance

Building integrated financing systems, expanding blended finance and domestic resources, and promoting financial inclusion

Built for results, scale and accountability

Designed to support timely and effective action, the regional programme draws on regional expertise and strong operational systems to help partners respond quickly, adapt to change and track results in real time.

01. Built for complex challenges

Interconnected challenges need interconnected solutions. The programme works across sectors to address root causes, rather than applying one-off siloed fixes.

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02. Focused on measurable results

Clear outcomes shape every initiative. Progress is tracked, learning is integrated, and reporting supports accountability over time.

03. Managing risk and accountability

Risk considerations and safeguards are embedded throughout implementation. Potential issues are identified early where possible and addressed through established oversight processes.

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04. Scalable solutions rooted in local context

Solutions co-designed with country offices and partners, grounded in local realities. What works in one country can be adapted and scaled across the region.

Partnerships in practice

The Regional Programme delivers impact through regional, subregional and multi-country initiatives that are co-designed with country offices and partners. These initiatives show what's possible when countries work together. They test new approaches, share what works, mobilize financing that individual countries couldn't access alone, and scale impact across borders. They show how UNDP turns regional cooperation into tangible results: jobs created, emissions reduced, institutions strengthened, lives protected. For partners, these efforts offer a space to test ideas, co-invest in emerging solutions and build more inclusive, sustainable and resilient systems across Asia and the Pacific.