Malé, 19 June 2025: As Resident Representative Enrico Gaveglia concludes his term, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives marks the end of a milestone chapter in the country—characterized by a renewed focus on national priorities, innovation, sustainable financing, and stronger partnerships. Since presenting his credentials in October 2021, Mr. Gaveglia brought nearly 20 years of UN experience, with a track record of leadership across Asia-Pacific and deep expertise in development in the region.

During his time in the Maldives, Mr. Gaveglia oversaw a critical period of transformation for UNDP’s work. 

Since 2021, UNDP has expanded its role beyond traditional development cooperation, positioning itself as a key technical and strategic partner to the Government of Maldives. With the launch of the 2022–2026 Country Programme, UNDP accelerated efforts to address the country’s growing debt burden and tight fiscal space—challenges common to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) but amplified by global economic uncertainty.

As traditional aid declined to just 4% of the national budget, UNDP repositioned itself as a strategic enabler, helping the Maldives navigate the complexities of an upper-middle-income SIDS. Under Mr. Gaveglia’s leadership, UNDP mobilized public and private capital through innovative approaches, including the 2023 launch of the Integrated National Financing Framework—the first among SIDS—to align development finance with climate and SDG goals. This was complemented by the SDG Taxonomy and Sustainability Framework, guiding over $5.5 billion in public and capital market funds toward sustainable investments. In 2024, UNDP supported the country’s first ESG reporting framework, laying the foundation for attracting impact investment. UNDP also catalyzed financing for the blue economy, including a blended finance facility and work with the Maldives Monetary Authority on a reef-focused parametric insurance product to strengthen climate resilience.

Under the UNDP Accelerator Lab, innovative methods were applied to strengthen data-driven planning, digital readiness, and community engagement. The Lab contributed to shaping inclusive urban development, advancing sustainable infrastructure, and informing national strategies through localized insights and systems thinking.

Under its environment portfolio, UNDP made strong progress in expanding and diversifying its funding sources. It reduced reliance on large, specialized climate funds by attracting support from a broader mix of donors—both new and existing—who offer more flexible and adaptable funding for environmental and climate initiatives. Notably, Australia extended support for environmental and climate action in the Maldives for the first time, while private sector financing was catalyzed through The Coca-Cola Foundation, leveraging over USD 1 million in additional resources. In a milestone for South-South Cooperation, the environment portfolio also secured the first-ever donation from China towards an Early Warning project, underscoring a growing trust in UNDP’s capacity to deliver impactful climate and resilience initiatives in the Maldives.

On the governance front, UNDP worked closely with national partners to unlock additional resources for advancing access to justice, human rights, and gender equality in the Maldives. Notably, it supported the development of a comprehensive Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) and paved the way for improved access to justice for vulnerable groups through digital transformation in the justice sector.

UNDP’s role as a strategic advisor grew in parallel, with the Government of Maldives seeking its support in addressing rising healthcare costs—now accounting for 14% of the national budget. Leveraging core-funded expertise, UNDP contributed to more efficient, diversified, and higher-quality procurement options across the sector. This trust led to new joint initiatives, including the establishment of a centralized procurement body within the Ministry of Finance to streamline public spending and tap into UNDP’s global network and economies of scale.

These achievements reflect a deeper shift: development solutions that are nationally owned, financially sustainable, and built for resilience. With 25% of UNDP’s global $5 billion programme offer now funded by host governments, the Maldives’ engagement mirrors the growing confidence in multilateral cooperation and evidence-based policymaking.

In a global context increasingly marked by fragmentation, Mr. Gaveglia’s tenure concludes at a time when the foundation for sustainable growth has been firmly laid, and national institutions are better equipped to navigate complex global challenges.

UNDP remains committed to its role as a long-term development partner, supporting the people of Maldives in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

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UNDP MALDIVES:

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has maintained a physical presence in the Maldives since 1978. Learn more at http://www.undp.org/maldives or follow at @UNDPMaldives 

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For media inquiries, please contact: 

UNDP Maldives Communications Unit: comms@undp.org