Capacity 2015 Asia
CAPACITY 2015 is the global partnership mechanism of the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) to assist countries in developing the capacity of their
professionals, institutions, and systems to formulate and implement strategies for
sustainable development (SD) to achieve local, national and international development
goals. It will work with developing and transitional countries to build and develop their
capacity for SD based on proven successes.
Sustainable development challenges in Asia
As the financial crisis that engulfed Asia in 1997-1998 eased, renewed optimism for
long-term economic growth that is also environmentally and socially sustainable replaced
it. Several countries in the region are embracing and promoting democratic principles and
institutions. And with more countries adopting market-oriented economies, the region is
being integrated into the global economy and is emerging as a reservoir for intellectual
and technical resources and expertise. But the Asia-Pacific region has also had troubling
political instability, civil unrest, and ethnic and religious tensions within and between
countries. Such conflicts have diverted valuable resources away from economic, social
and environmental priorities, and increased insecurity and vulnerability for millions of
people. Despite continued economic growth, poverty reduction remains a tremendous
challenge -- 800 million people remain in abject poverty. Besides poverty’s staggering
human and social costs, it has also had severe environmental costs. Rapid population
growth and policies that prevent the poor from using productive assets and resources
have intensified environmental pressures.
The Phnom Penh Regional Platform for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific
region -- developed at the regional WSSD Preparatory Committee meeting in 2002 -identified the region’s general priorities: globalization, urbanisation, water management,
local governance, and environmental governance. Underlying each of these challenges is
the need to develop capacity across all sectors as a cornerstone of achieving sustainable
development. Yet, the Asia-Pacific region is vast in size and population, and its countries
have tremendous economic, cultural, social, political, and geographical diversity. Not
surprisingly, their development priorities, opportunities and challenges are equally
diverse. Any useful capacity development strategy must reflect the Asia-Pacific region’s
diversity. And it is not enough to tailor support to the needs of each country; it must also
recognize the distinct needs of sub-regions and group of countries with shared interests or
challenges -- economies in transition, for example, or the riparian countries of the
Mekong River.
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Capacity 2015 Asia’s Programmatic Response:
CAPACITY 2015 is the global partnership mechanism of the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) to assist countries in developing the capacity of their
professionals, institutions, and systems to formulate and implement strategies for
sustainable development (SD) to achieve local, national and international development
goals. It works with developing and transitional countries to build and develop their
capacity for sustainable development based on proven successes.
Cap2015 Asia provides a regional platform for partnering and sharing experience in
addressing cross-cutting aspects around capacity development and sustainability that are
critical for goal realization. As a programme Cap2015 Asia supports the region and
countries in identifying operational strategies and making interventions for meeting the
MDGs, at national, local government , and community levels.
Cap2015 Asia’s programmes respond to regional and country priorities, as identified
through various international, regional, and national studies, forums and conferences.
Country programmes, developed in partnership with the governments, the UNDP CO,
and relevant stakeholders, therefore may feature a range of approaches and thematic
focus according to priority needs. In the Philippines, Cap2015 Asia supports
strengthening capacities of small and medium enterprises (SMES) to prepare them for
globalization. In Nepal and Bhutan, the support is on empowering local governments and
the participation of communities and civil society organizations in local and national
sustainable development planning and policy formulation. In Cambodia, the support is on
strengthening stakeholder capacities on community fisheries for the sustainable
management of the Tonle Sap Lake. In Indonesia, Cap2015 Asia is providing support to
strengthen the participation of the Indonesian Government in the Arafura and Timor Seas
Experts Forum (ATSEF), as well as enhancing local government and community
participation in a major private-sector-initiated energy project in the Papua province. At
the regional level, Cap2015 Asia is currently implementing the Regional Environmental
Governance (REG) Programme, which will map and assess environment and governance
initiatives in the region, towards more effective and responsive integration of
environment and governance issues.
Through the Information and Learning Network (ILN), Cap2015 Asia is likewise linking
with various partners towards developing more effective mechanisms for developing,
sharing, and promoting expertise and best practices for the MDGs.