LocationsUNDP Regional Director Reaffirms Partnership with Cambodia to Advance Inclusive and Green Development
December 11, 2025
Phnom Penh, 10 December 2025: The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Kanni Wignaraja, concluded a four-day official mission to the Kingdom of Cambodia on Tuesday, reaffirming UNDP’s continued commitment to supporting the Royal Government in advancing its climate goals and sustainable development agenda.
During her visit, Ms. Wignaraja met with senior government leaders, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; the Senior Minister in charge of Special Missions and Second Vice Chairman, Council for the Development of Cambodia; the Minister of Environment; the Minister of Health; the Minister of Labour and Vocational Training; and the Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia. Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships for sustainable financing, social protection, digital transformation, and health system resilience. She also met with development partners and civil society to discuss shared priorities for sustainable growth and collaboration under the UNDP Country Programme for Cambodia (2024–2028).
The mission began with a stakeholder dialogue on disability inclusion, where Ms. Wignaraja discussed relevant policy and implementation opportunities and challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing services and economic opportunities.
Ms. Wignaraja joined the Minister of Environment for a visit to Phnom Kulen National Park in Siem Reap Province, where they met with local communities engaged in community-based conservation and ecotourism under the Integrated Natural Resources Management Programme — implemented by the Ministry of Environment with support from UNDP and funding from the Global Environment Facility. The visit highlighted how community and area-based natural resource management, including forest restoration and sustainable livelihoods, can strengthen resilience while advancing Cambodia’s climate ambitions and biodiversity conservation.
Ms. Wignaraja joined the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance at the launch of the National Graduation-Based Social Protection Programme and met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior to advance the design and early implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Identification. She also paid courtesy calls on Senior Minister and Second Vice Chairman of Council for the Development of Cambodia Council, as well as Secretaries of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
During her visit, partnership agreements were signed by UNDP and the Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia to promote green and innovative financing; UNDP and the Minister of Labour and Vocational Training to provide technical advisory support aimed at modernizing pension fund governance and unlocking its potential for inclusive growth; and UNDP and the Minister of Health to support governance and health system institutional strengthening in the country.
“Cambodia’s journey of transformation continues to show that vision and shared purpose can translate into policies and actions that influence the direction of progress. The country’s commitment to green growth, digital innovation, and social inclusion reflects the true spirit of sustainable development,” said Ms, Wignaraja.
“For over five decades, UNDP has been a trusted partner of the Royal Government in advancing climate resilience, inclusive growth, and capable institutions,” said Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in Cambodia. “Ms. Wignaraja’s visit reinforces UNDP’s unwavering commitment to helping Cambodia achieve its Vision 2050 — we will keep working for a future defined by resilience, sustainability, and shared prosperity.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Chhunmuoy Ath, Communications Analyst, UNDP Cambodia at communications.kh@undp.org
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Note to Editors
About Ms. Kanni Wignaraja
Kanni Wignaraja is the UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. With over 30 years of experience in the United Nations, she has held senior leadership roles in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and at the United Nations in Geneva and New York.
Ms. Wignaraja brings in-depth knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region. She frequently speaks and writes on the complex challenges that will define the region’s future on human development and human rights, sustainability and disaster response, energy transition and climate change, inequality and social protection, development and climate finance. Ms. Wignaraja has particularly underscored the urgency of rethinking development strategies in complex crises, such as those in Afghanistan and Myanmar, as well as policy and governance reforms needed with intensifying interconnected economic and climate crises today. She is an advocate for people-centered perspectives and policies that secure peoples’ futures while protecting the environment.
About UNDP
UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network advocating for change and connecting governments, private sector and civil society to knowledge, experience, and resources to end the injustice of poverty and inequality, accelerate inclusive growth, strengthen good governance and peace, and promote nature-based solutions and climate resilience. Present in over 170 countries and territories, we assist nations to implement their solutions for accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the people, the planet, and their prosperity. Learn more at https://www.undp.org/cambodia or follow us at @UNDPCambodia.
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