Locations
Governance in Asia-Pacific
Democracy, Innovation, and Inclusion: Governance in Focus
How Governance works to advance Local, Urban, Climate, and Civic Governance in Asia-Pacific
Democracy is a core value of the United Nations, working to advance good governance, support credible elections, strengthen civil society and democratic institutions, promote accountability, uphold the right to self-determination in decolonized countries, and assist in the drafting of constitutions in post-conflict settings. For the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supporting democracy means strengthening and promoting inclusive and accountable governance. Our approach is people-centred and systemic, innovative in nature, and harnesses the opportunities offered by digitalization.
The General Assembly proclaimed 15 September as the International Day of Democracy. This observance serves as a powerful advocacy platform and an opportunity to assess the state of democracy worldwide. This year marks 18 years of this International Day, with the theme “From Voice to Action” reminding us that democracy is only as strong as people’s ability to shape the decisions that impact their lives through their voices, their choices, and their participation. It thrives when the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all individuals are upheld, especially those of the most vulnerable. A democracy that excludes is no democracy at all.
Our work
In UNDP in Asia and the Pacific, we have seen that when communities are empowered to participate, democracy becomes a true force for dignity, inclusion, and peace. It seeks to strengthen and promote inclusive, effective, and accountable governance through a people-centred, systemic approach that is designed to navigate uncertainty, building an agile, adaptive, and anticipatory UNDP, prepared for many different futures through the following focus areas:
Local and Urban Governance - It aims to advance sustainable, inclusive, and resilient governance practices across the Asia-Pacific. Supporting cities and communities to localize the SDGs through adaptive, participatory, and future-ready solutions. It recognizes that local development issues are complex and that there is no single solution that fits all circumstances. Instead, it emphasizes the co-creation of integrated local development solutions that address people's needs, challenges, and opportunities in the digital era.
Climate Governance - It aims to foster ongoing dialogue and negotiation among governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and other actors to drive opportunities and action on climate change, through formal or informal, flexible, and adaptive processes at local, national, regional, and global levels. Through Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP), we empower young people in climate governance to participate meaningfully in climate decisions and governance at all levels.
Civic Technology - It aims to create new digital pathways for people to access information, raise concerns, and shape political and public decisions. Making governance more transparent, accountable, and responsive empowers people to have a stronger voice and supports new forms of collaboration between citizens and the state. In May 2025, UNDP, in collaboration with the Open Government Partnership, Accountability Lab, and CurveUp, launched the Regional Civic Tech Innovation Challenge to identify and support youth-led civic tech solutions that strengthen governance in Asia and the Pacific.
These examples demonstrate the crucial role that the promise of democracy requires the full commitment of the international community, national governments, civil society, and individuals. Democracy is not just an end in itself, but an ongoing process that depends on the active participation of all people. Only then can democracy be made real, to the benefit of all, everywhere.