UN forum adopts new regional road map to accelerate Sustainable Development
Goals in Asia-Pacific
Bangkok (ESCAP News) -- Asia-Pacific countries have adopted a road map for
regional cooperation on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD
2017) that concluded today in Bangkok.
The road map lays out priority areas, implementation arrangements and a
process for tracking progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
building on the agreements reached at the last two APFSD meetings. It will,
with the support of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific, (ESCAP), facilitate regional level cooperation with a
focus on the means of implementation of the SDGs and in the thematic areas
of social development, disaster risk reduction, climate change, management
of natural resources, connectivity and energy.
“The APFSD deliberations and agreements reached this year have cemented the
foundation for a concerted and effective regional response to address
cross-cutting issues under the 2030 Agenda, with a focus on eradicating
poverty and promoting prosperity,” said United Nations Under Secretary
General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Dr. Shamshad Akhtar.
“While the countries of the Asia -Pacific are forging ahead in this common
endeavor, much work remains to bring about the transformations needed. In
the years to come, through the APFSD, ESCAP will continue to support
crucial dialogue among member States, to share experiences and to
strengthen implementation,” she added.
The road map places particular emphasis on supporting implementation of the
2030 Agenda by developing countries, least developed countries, landlocked
developing countries, small-island developing States and other countries
with special needs. It also outlines a process for tracking progress on the
SDGs.
Gender equality and women’s empowerment are placed at the centre of the
regional policy agenda in order to enhance women’s leadership and
decision-making in all aspects of society. The road map also recognizes
that sustainable development must be underpinned by peaceful and inclusive
societies, addressing inequality, and by good governance.
The roadmap will be brought to the attention of the ESCAP 73rd Commission
in May 2017 and to global dialogues on sustainable development including
the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development to be held in New
York in July 2017.