Global Stories

Today, Nelson Mandela International Day 2018 marks 100 years since the birth of the loved global figure. Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first democratically elected President after years of confronting racism and prejudice with peace and equanimity. The Centenary is an occasion to reflect on his life and legacy, and to follow his call to...

According to the data on the official website of United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), over 1,000 cities in Asia Pacific have signed up to its Making Cities Resilient campaign following a historic commitment made by all 329 municipalities of Bangladesh to join the campaign. The UNISDR and its partners are working towards sustainable...

The Regional Consultation on South-South Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific has opened in Bangkok with a strong call to scale up South-South and triangular cooperation initiatives to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Senior officials from 32 countries, and representatives of donor agencies, think tanks, civil society organisations and the private sector are...

Businesses that improve the lives of people living in poverty across South and South-east Asia were boosted by the coming together of a strategic partnership between Bamboo Capital Partners (“Bamboo”) and CARE Enterprises (“CEI”). CEI, a for-profit subsidiary of CARE USA, a leading non-profit organisation that works around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty...

Sustainability is a major concern today with the deteriorating state our planet is turning into. While it is important to raise awareness among every individual the benefits of a sustainable lifestyle and repercussions of not following through with it, the major damage is done by the commercial entities. The hospitality industry with its constant use...

At the close of a high-level UN policy forum in Bangkok, political leaders and senior government officials recommitted themselves to tackling rising inequality across Asia and the Pacific region. Over 540 delegates from 44 Member States and Associate Members attended the 74th UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) session held...

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) called for strengthening multilateralism and regional integration to tackle rising inequalities in the region. UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Dr. Shamshad Akhtar underscored that anti-globalisation and protectionism are increasing global uncertainty. “With the gap between rich and poor widening, the...

Trucost, a leader in carbon and environmental data and risk analysis, has launched SDG Evaluation Tool to help enable companies to identify business risks and opportunities aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On September 25th 2015, countries adopted the goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable...

The 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Statistics Week (APES) closed in Bangkok with a strong focus on strengthening the capability of Member States to produce core economic statistics and improve monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Senior economic statisticians from statistical offices and central banks of countries in the region, as well as international development experts...

Mobilizing financing for development remains a fundamental priority in the Asia-Pacific region. The robust growth registered by the region in 2017 and promising prospects for this year provides the opportunity to meet this objective, according to a major United Nations report launched in Bangkok. Taking advantage of the current favorable economic conditions, economies need to address...

The prospects of around 800 million of the world’s poorest people remain dire. The global economy is experiencing a moderate upturn, and momentum around sustainable investing is growing, the UN has said. But the vast majority of investment is still short-term oriented and commitments by the international community to create sustainable economies are not being...

Future technologies and innovative financing have the potential to transform and accelerate sustainable development, but better policies and regulation are needed to ensure all benefit equally from these new advances. This was one of the main conclusions of the recently held annual Asia-Pacific Business Forum (APBF). Senior policymakers and private sector representatives came together, to discuss how...