Asia Pacific Adopts Regional Road Map To Accelerate SDGS
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 in Bangkok recently.
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 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 Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP.
“While the countries of the Asia-Pacific are forging ahead in this common endeavour, 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 recognises 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.
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