Asia Pacific pursues sustainable development goals

At the end of the meeting, the Commission adopted a resolution on maritime economic development and sustainable exploitation of oceanic resources.

Delegates from 53 participating countries discussed regional cooperation, integration, and challenges that the Asia Pacific region is facing in realizing sustainable development goals.

In recent years, the Asia Pacific region has emerged as the world’s fastest growing region. But the rapid growth is accompanied by social and economic imbalance and environmental damage. 

The region is focusing on realizing 17 sustainable development goals by 2020 in order to reduce poverty and give the people access to basic services.

By pursuing SDGs, the Asia Pacific region aims to move to a period of integrated development, and ensure social and economic balance and a sustainable environment. 

Focusing on sustainable growth is of great importance for the region because global economic growth has slowed down and social gaps have widened.

About 1.4 billion people are living in poverty and facing shortages of clean water and electricity, and other risks.  

It is estimated that Asian Pacific countries need more than US$2.5 trillion a year to upgrade infrastructure and address health care, education, social security, and climate change needs. So, it’s important to mobilize financial resources from both the government and the private sector, and promote scientific research and technology. 

In 2013, developing economies in Asia invested more than US$650 billion in scientific research and technology. In the near future, Asian Pacific countries need to improve their management capacity, boost international cooperation, and strengthen their financial institutions.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is paying special attention to the implementation of SDGs in Asia Pacific. 

In 2014, the Commission organized a Forum on Sustainable Development in Asia Pacific. Ways to realize SDGs in the region will be further discussed at this year’s forum.