The World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report warns that the region is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, driving more extreme weather and posing serious threats to lives, ecosystems, and economies. In 2024, Asia experienced its warmest or second warmest year on …
North and Central Asia countries are rich with energy sources. Energy was a key driver of economic growth in the subregion for several years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In the years after independence, the expansion of conventional energy sources and the initiation of market reforms allowed countries …
The roadmap has found that Nepal has made significant progress in increasing access to electricity in recent years. Based on this progress, it is estimated that Nepal will achieve universal access to electricity by 2024,3 earlier than the timeline mentioned in the Sustainable Development Goals Status and Roadmap 2016-2030. However, …
The sixth annual report on Monitoring progress towards UHC and the health-related SDGs in the South-East Asia Region provides a comprehensive overview on where we are and what is needed to achieve the UHC and health-related SDGs. The report highlights progress in the areas of reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child …
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations constitutes the most important and comprehensive global sustainable development agenda for the next decade. It is known for its far-reaching and ambitious vision with its 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and 169 targets that are listed as part of the …
Alongside their contribution to biodiversity conservation, protected and conserved areas are increasingly recognised as important sources of a wide range of benefits, or ecosystem services, that humans gain from intact, natural ecosystems. Well-governed and well-managed protected areas are among the most effective tools for maintaining ecosystems – such as forests, …
A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) provides a global overview of progress made around the world over the past decade in extending social protection and building rights-based social protection systems, in the context of COVID-19, and with input from UNICEF Innocenti on social protection gaps and opportunities …
In its 2020 communiqué, the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy has urged to strengthen good practices and policies to advance the global bioeconomy. The transition from a fossil-based economy to a bioeconomy happens at three levels: technological, organizational and social. In particular, agri-food systems are key to achieve a …
This report identifies pathways and makes recommendations to accelerate clean energy transitions in six Sahelian countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal). Its aim is to take stock of current energy trends in the Sahel and illustrate policy-relevant best practices that can help speedily advance energy access, energy …
This policy brief discusses the issues and practical interventions that United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) member States and countries in other parts of the world can consider to accelerate the transition to sustainable cooling. Cooling is a fundamental requirement to improve the well-being …
A new report has revealed how the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened poverty levels in the country while inhibiting access to health services by marginalized groups. According to Zimbabwe's Second Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2021, COVID-19 affected the country's capacity to offer social protection to the vulnerable people. The limited social …
A milestone towards localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was achieved with the release of the first edition of the North Eastern Region (NER) District SDG Index Report and Dashboard 2021–22 by NITI Aayog and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (M/DoNER). The NER District SDG Index& Dashboard, a …
This report presents the global status on water-use efficiency and acceleration needs to achieve target 6.4 by 2030, based on the latest data on indicator 6.4.1. Water-use efficiency rose from 17.3 USD/m3 in 2015 to 18.9 USD/m3 in 2018 worldwide, representing a 9 percent efficiency increase. All economic sectors have …
Target 6.3 is: “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.” Indicator 6.3.2 monitors the proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality, as …
Target 6.6 is: “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.” Indicator 6.6.1 tracks changes over time in water-related ecosystems. Earth observations are used to determine changes to surface water bodies, such as lakes, large rivers, flooded wetlands and reservoirs. Recent advances in …
Target 6.4 is: “By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.” Indicator 6.4.2 tracks how much freshwater is being withdrawn by all economic activities, compared to …
Target 6.5 is: “By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.” Indicator 6.5.2 looks at the area of a country within transboundary basins and assesses the extent to which that area is covered by operational cooperation arrangements. Transboundary basins are river, lake …
Target 6.3 is: “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally”. Indicator 6.3.1 tracks the proportion of total, industrial and household wastewater flows safely treated in …
Target 6.5 is: “By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.” Indicator 6.5.1 tracks the degree of integrated water resources management (IWRM) implementation, by assessing the four key dimensions of IWRM: enabling environment, institutions and participation, management instruments and financing. Sustainable, integrated …
The 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has highlighted the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in protecting human health. However, while the Asia Pacific region has seen significant progress towards SDG 6 targets during the past 20 years, the region still faces critical challenges due to scarce water resources, growing …
This groundbreaking research considers impact of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using futures modeling in three potential recovery scenarios, capturing the multidimensional effects of the pandemic over the next decade. The studies find that while the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 are set to widen the gap …
