Putrajaya, Malaysia: 11 April 2025 – The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Kanni Wignaraja, begins a high-level mission to Malaysia this week, strengthening strategic cooperation with government ministries, financial institutions, and civil society to accelerate inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable development across the country. 

During her visit, Ms. Wignaraja will meet with senior government officials, including YB Tuan Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES); YB Dato Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib, Deputy Minister of Economy; and Datuk Seri Sollehuddin Alyubi, Director-General of the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister’s Department, among others.  

She will also engage directly with rural communities to review the impact of UNDP’s conservation efforts and assess the livelihoods being supported through the UNDP-Government of Malaysia Sustainable Tourism Programme. 

Ms. Wignaraja will call on Securities Commission as UNDP deepens collaboration on several strategic initiatives: advancing SDG impact mapping through Maqasid principles in Islamic Capital Market development, supporting the Social Exchange Platform through UNDP’s global expertise, aligning MSME greening with the Commission’s ESG initiatives such as the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG), and exploring innovative finance for care and the silver economy. 

Ms. Wignaraja will co-host a policy dialogue with the Government’s ICU, the Australian High Commission, and the Khazanah Research Institute, focusing on Malaysia’s efforts to build a robust and inclusive national social protection framework. The dialogue will explore the ethical use of A.I. under the Malaysia MADANI vision. This is another example of UNDP reaffirming its role as a trusted technical advisor and neutral convener, supporting the rollout of evidence-based, future-ready social policies and leveraging its leadership in this area. 

Ms. Wignaraja will further sign two MOUs between UNDP and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) and UNDP and Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM). The first MOU aims to take to scale cutting-edge climate and biodiversity financing solutions and nature-based investments, while the second MOU marks a renewed commitment to provide youths, especially those hardest to reach, the platform to be heard and to take action on environment, nature and climate change. 

A leading advocate on climate action for the region, Ms. Wignaraja will consult on UNDP’s technical assistance to Government as it works to lift the ambition of Malaysia’s Nationally Determine Contributions, delivering a strong statement of leadership as ASEAN Chair. This follows the deepening partnership between UNDP and Government that is delivering ecological fiscal transfers and increasing biodiversity protection.  

UNDP plays a key role in assisting Government align national strategies with international climate goals, working with ministries and partners to mainstream nature-positive policies and sustainable finance models. UNDP is now also progressing similar initiatives sub-nationally as its works with the national government to extend is support to rural and remote communities.  

Speaking ahead of her visit, Ms. Wignaraja said, "Malaysia’s leadership on social protection and innovative finance offers lessons for the region. UNDP is proud to partner with government, building on 60 years of commitment, to inclusive and sustainable development. Together, we are co-creating solutions that are bold, practical, and future-oriented." 

This visit builds on UNDP Malaysia’s active portfolio of initiatives advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), catalyzing impact, scale, innovation and inclusive growth to deliver pathways for greater prosperity. Ms. Wignaraja’s presence underscores UNDP’s commitment to deepen its support for Malaysia’s development priorities and its growing regional leadership on climate, biodiversity, social equity, inclusiveness and the use of new technologies.