STATEMENT BY

MR. SOFIAN AKMAL ABD KARIM

CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES A.I.

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE ANNUAL SESSION 2025 OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS

 

INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE UNDP ADMINISTRATOR

 

4 JUNE 2025, NEW YORK

 

 

Thank you, President.

 

Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Iraq of behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

 

As this would be the final interactive dialogue with Mr. Achim Steiner as UNDP Administrator. On behalf of Malaysia, Malaysia expresses our deepest appreciation for your visionary leadership and firm commitment to the global development agenda. Your tenure has strengthened UNDP’s position as a trusted, effective, and forward-looking partner to the Global South.

 

Malaysia remains a strong advocate for an efficient, effective and responsive UN development system. In this regard, UNDP stands at the very heart of the system, not only as a key development partner but also as a catalyst for reform. We commend UNDP’s role as backbone for over 70 UN entities. Its support is crucial to the efficiency and coherence of the wider system.

 

President,

 

Our own journey with UNDP is a testament to what sustained collaboration can achieve. Since Malaysia’s independence in 1957, UNDP has walked with us through every stage of development- from post-independence nation-building to our present-day transition toward a high-income, future-ready economy.

 

The SDG Financing Strategy and the SDG Investor Map, developed with UNDP support, are helping Malaysia to mobilize innovative financing aligned with sustainable development.  In our current role as ASEAN Chair for this year, we deeply value the UNDP’s technical assistance, which has significantly contributed to advancing our collaborative efforts across a broad spectrum of regional initiatives.

 

These impacts underscore why adequate, predictable, and sustainable funding for UNDP remains essential. It enables UNDP to remain responsive, and resilient, especially in addressing today’s interconnected challenges.

 

President,

 

Allow me to conclude by reiterating Malaysia’s enduring partnership with UNDP and our appreciation to you, Mr. Steiner, for your leadership and contribution.

 

 Thank you.