From rising urban inequality and persistent employment vulnerabilities to constrained public budgets and uneven access to clean energy, development challenges in Asia and the Pacific are becoming more complex and more interconnected.
Against this backdrop, the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development will convene in February and bring together policymakers, youth representatives, civil society and development partners to take stock of regional progress. The Forum will examine emerging urban and economic trends, and explore data-driven, innovative solutions to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development across the region.
Organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Forum will assess progress on Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; industry, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities and partnerships for development. As countries grapple with rising debt and limited fiscal space, discussions will also highlight the urgent need to strengthen the international financial architecture in line with the Sevilla Commitment on Financing for Development.
Held under the theme "Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs for a sustainable future for all," the Forum will focus on translating commitments into action-oriented policies. It will also facilitate the exchange of best practices and lessons learned, with particular attention to the priorities of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States in the region. Lastly, it will provide a platform and sessions to support countries presenting their voluntary national reviews at the High-Level Political Forum later in the year.
Major associated events include the annual Youth Forum and Peoples' Forum, which serve as inclusive preparatory platforms for the APFSD, as well as Generation Hope Goals: Actions for the SDGs, a showcase of children- and youth-led solutions to climate challenges across the region. The Forum will also feature a high-level event of the President of the UN Economic and Social Council on addressing climate change and catalyzing the Pact for the Future in the Asia-Pacific context.
