The Public Financial Management (PFM) Committee of the Philippine Government is moving full speed ahead with the implementation of key reforms following the conduct of the workshop series titled “Philippines’ PFM Reforms: From Strategy to Action.”

After the HDR launch in the Philippines, we reflect on major trends in AI and how general-purpose tech is reshaping human development—along with the risks and opportunities it brings for the country. Hope you enjoy our op-ed in BusinessWorld: tinyurl.com/4vvr5z9h

Grateful for his mentorship and guidance during my early years in public service 🙏🏼His commitment to building people and institutions in the Maldives is much appreciated. We need more leaders like him who are forward-looking and focused on the long game.

.UNDP Sustainable Finance’s SDG Finance Report 2025 shows that despite $450T in global wealth, the world stil faces a $4.2T annual SDG financing gap. At a recent UNDP–SEC Philippines dialogue I stressed deepening domestic markets & shifting ODA use to leverage capital to bridge this gap

Honored to deliver a scene-setter at the 🇵🇭National AI Fest, stressing the need to refocus on STEM education, prioritize job augmentation over replacement (with 1/3 of jobs at risk but 61% augmentable), and ensure sustainable AI infrastructure amid energy and water stress.

The #Philippines is at the forefront of #ClimateFinance in Asia Pacific. Delighted to meet the 🇸🇽 Delegation and hear about their close cooperation with #UNDP at central and local level. UNDP in Asia and the Pacific UNDP Philippines 🇵🇭 UNDP Climate Climate Finance Network

Last week I had the pleasure of sharing insights on the Philippines’ SDG progress & human development context with the Senate of the Philippines Committee on SDGs, Innovation & Futures Thinking. Grateful to the Honorable Senators for the opportunity to engage in this important dialogue 🙏🏼

Grateful to Contact Center Association of the Philippines for the chance to present on AI’s human development impact at the CEO Forum. The sector is worth $32B (7% GDP, 1.6M jobs). How the sector adapts to build trust and re-skill will shape its future and offer lessons globally.

Bringing global insights to local solutions—Mohamed Shahudh, UNDP Country Economist, shares how inclusive growth and sustainable financing drive national development. 🌍 Catch him at the 16th NCS. Register today at convention.psa.gov.ph/ncs 📍 October 1–3, 2025 | The Manila Hotel

A pleasure to participate in the House of Representatives of the Philippines Committee on SDGs hearing to share our views on global and regional trends shaping the progress of SDG and discuss potential headwinds. Thank you to the Honorable Chairperson and all members of the Committee for this opportunity 🙏🏼

READ NOW | UNDP in Asia and the Pacific’s new report urges governments to stay focused on long-term progress to navigate an increasingly volatile #trade landscape. Download the full report 👉 go.undp.org/w6C

Grateful to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the chance to share how the corporate sector can stay fwd-looking amid trade disruptions in the recent SDG Effectiveness Summit. Our new UNDP report on the subject tinyurl.com/5hfb79v3 urges exporters to stay outward-looking and build resilience.

I was reading Selva Ramachandran Ramachandran’s farewell reflections when the news broke of the #earthquake in Cebu. In the Philippines, where disasters are a constant threat, building and rebuilding resilient communities, homes, services, basic infrastructure must be an everyday

Great to be in BARMM, a region very close to our hearts at UNDP. Grateful to Bangsomoro Planning and Development Authority for hosting the 2nd Policy Research Forum where we discussed AI for Good Governance—its promise, risks, and special considerations for fragile regions.

Thank you for inviting UNDP to be part of this important discussion 🙏🏼 Urban sustainability is a priority for the Philippines, and as the country nears UMIC status, blended finance and convergence budgeting will be vital to unlock resources and accelerate progress on SDG 11.

For over 1/3 of SDG indicators in AP, progress cant be tracked due to limited data, complicating efforts to address inequalities & vulnerabilities. At the 16th NCS, I shared how VLRs by PH cities can localize data & link financing with SDGs. Thankful to PSA for the opportunity

Just arrived in the Philippines to serve as interim UNDP Representative until December. Looking very much forward to meeting people and learning more about this great country. undp.org/philippines

We launched a new report: “Rethinking Urban Governance for Tomorrow’s Cities in Asia and the Pacific.” Cities may be at the frontline of climate risks, deepening inequality, and infrastructure deficits, but they are also where the greatest opportunities for change lie. As

Thanks to DFA Philippines 🇵🇭 – OPD for the invitation to speak at the UN Day panel discussion. I reflected on emerging opportunities for development finance as 🇵🇭 transition to UMIC, including blended finance, sub-national instruments & state-contingent clauses to boost climate resilience.

To tackle poverty in a climate-stressed world, we need better tools to understand it. Income alone can’t capture the vulnerabilities millions face as climate hazards intensify. Our op-ed explains why multidimensional poverty metrics matter now more than ever. Full blog below 👇🏼