The Asia and the Pacific region continues to grapple with uneven progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a new report by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Gender and location remain pivotal determinants of poverty and inequality, with marginalized groups such as women, girls, rural populations, and the urban poor facing significant barriers to education and employment opportunities.
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, emphasized the urgency of addressing inequalities affecting marginalized groups, particularly in Pacific small island developing States. The report underscores the need for concerted efforts from international, regional, and national partners to bridge the progress gap among countries in special situations.
The report delves into the disparities faced by various demographic groups based on sex, urbanization, education level, age, and income. Despite progress in school enrolment rates, women and girls encounter challenges accessing education and employment opportunities, while men face health-related issues such as higher rates of suicide and chronic diseases. Rural populations confront significant disadvantages, including limited access to basic amenities like drinking water and sanitation, as well as respiratory diseases due to the lack of clean cooking fuels. Urban areas generally offer better conditions, but the poorest individuals within these areas still struggle to complete upper secondary education.
The report warns that at the current pace, the region is unlikely to achieve all 17 SDGs before 2062, marking a significant 32-year delay. While progress has been made in poverty eradication and sustainable industry and infrastructure, efforts in areas like hunger, health, clean water and sanitation, affordable energy, and sustainable communities require heightened attention.
Despite these challenges, the report highlights national success stories that offer insights into effective strategies for supporting at-risk populations. For example, the Philippines’ legislation providing disability allowances for children with disabilities, Vietnam’s digital training programs for youth and migrant workers, and upgrades to national statistical systems in North and Central Asia demonstrate promising initiatives.
The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report serves as an annual publication that assesses progress towards the SDGs in the region, using the latest data for global SDG indicators to identify areas needing additional effort and those showing momentum for future progress.
