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Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam

Our Team

Mr. Edward Vrkić - Resident Representative, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam

Mr. Vrkić is currently serving as UNDP’s Resident Representative to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. Prior to this, he was the Strategic Adviser to UNDP’s Bureau for Asia and the Pacific and before this, UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative to Papua New Guinea. He has served in various senior diplomatic, advisory, civil service and private sector positions over the last 25 years across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. These include for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia’s Agency for International Development, as Senior Foreign Policy Adviser to the Australian Foreign Minister, Chief of Staff to Pacific Island Forum Leaders, and Australia’s Head of Aid Operations and Humanitarian Coordinator to Papua New Guinea.

Mr. Vrkić has a master’s degree in international relations (with distinction) from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of Arts with honours (first class) from the University of Wollongong. He has extensive experience delivering development cooperation, public policy, communications, humanitarian response, leading negotiations, implementing reform programs, and driving innovation across a wide range of countries and socio-economic contexts.
Mr. Besian Xhezo - Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei Darussalam

Besian Xhezo is a seasoned development professional with over 15 years of international experience in strategic planning, inter-agency coordination, partnership development, and UN system reform. He joins the UNDP Country Office in Malaysia as the new Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, bringing a strong track record of advancing inclusive development and institutional transformation across diverse country contexts.

Prior to his current role, Besian served as Special Assistant to the UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, where he advised on strategic management and performance, covering 24 UNDP Country Offices across the Asia Pacific region. He played a key role in strengthening high-level partnerships with governments, international financial institutions, and development partners, while enhancing organizational responsiveness and risk management.

From 2012 to 2020, Besian held multiple roles and with increasing responsibilities, leading UNDP’s global engagement in UN system-wide reform, including as Policy Specialist and Team Leader for UN System Affairs. He represented UNDP in interagency bodies and supported the organization’s adaptation to evolving development financing and coordination models. His work contributed to greater coherence in joint programming and innovation in funding mechanisms.

Besian’s field experience includes leading coordination efforts in Albania’s One UN Programme, managing donor-funded projects. He also supported strategic planning with UNDP offices in China and Libya. Prior to joining the UN, Besian worked in the private sector where he led Corporate Social Responsibility efforts for a large Telecom provider.

A Fulbright Scholar, Besian holds a Master’s Degree in international development policy from George Washington University and a Bachelor’s Degree in political science and EU Studies from the American University in Bulgaria. He is fluent in English, Albanian, and Italian, with working knowledge of Spanish and French.