Speeches
Report by the Executive Secretary of activities of ESCAP to the 360th Session of Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives.
As one of our region’s most renowned economists, Amartya Sen wrote - the path to enhanced human flourishing will be built by expanding the scope of choices and opportunities. We have a responsibility to ensure equality of choices and opportunities for people today and the generations to come. Therein, lies the key to end poverty, build lives of dignity, protect our planet and, in short, achieve sustainable development for all.
With the enhanced role of regional commissions in sustainable development, ESCAP will be working closely with the rest of the UN system to ensure there is a more holistic approach to addressing the vulnerabilities which have made it difficult for smaller economies to make inroads in addressing the challenges of water, sanitation and water related-disasters.
Our region is changing and the global development paradigm is being transformed. To remain relevant and effective, to provide the support our member States need implementing the post-2015 development agenda, ESCAP has and must continue to change too.
The Asia-Pacific region has taken the first steps towards achieving Sustainable Energy for All. ESCAP is committed to support member State cooperation on a common energy agenda for shared prosperity, social equity and sustainability.
Presentation by Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP at the launch of the Asia-Pacific Regional MDGs Report 2014/15 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Global sustainable development depends on the sustainable management of oceans and seas joined with strong and effective governance. Addressing these challenges requires the participation of all coastal nations - large and small, whether continental or island.
We meet this year amid a confluence of key events, among them: the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Charter; the 20th year of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; and the 10th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol. This year, global leaders will lay the foundations of a far-reaching new sustainable development agenda. Sustainability will be further reinforced with a new agreement on climate change and new global partnerships.