Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies in Asia and the Pacific

Foreword

The year that preceded the publication of this report was marked by dramatic political, social, environmental and economic changes in many countries around the world. The theme of the 2018 High-level Political Forum, ‘Transformation Towards Sustainable and Resilient Societies’, is therefore deeply resonant for policymakers, citizens and businesses in a changing Asia-Pacific region.

The countries of the Asia-Pacific region are, in a sense, well versed in transformation. They have dealt with financial crises in the last century, and seized opportunities to strengthen the foundations for economic resilience and dynamism. As our 2017 report pointed out, countries have made impressive gains in reducing income poverty, and the region has transformed from one of the poorest in the world to one that is now an engine of the global economy. That progress is not universal, however, nor is it guaranteed to continue. Further transformations that will allow us to realize the 2030 Agenda are urgently needed.

We live in a world of increasingly unpredictable and complex risks. Trends such as demographic change, rural–urban transitions, technology change and climate change are reshaping our region. We need to be much better prepared to deal with the interlinked impacts of long-term trends, and deal with the inevitable changes the future will bring. It is increasingly urgent to understand how best we can realize the transformations that will ensure that we achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A stronger focus on resilience can support these efforts; for example, it will be essential to incorporate a stronger focus on risk and resilience into the region’s strategies for financing development. Innovation will also be vital, enabling us to turn new challenges and risks into opportunities for transformation in line with the SDGs. Together, we must help people, institutions and the region ‘bounce back’ from new shocks and stresses by pursuing new and more sustainable development paths.

This report takes stock of the changing nature of risk in Asia and the Pacific, and the stresses, shocks and opportunities that are affecting a diverse region’s prospects for achieving the SDGs. It quantifies the effects of selected natural hazards, commodity shocks and pollution shocks on the region’s fundamental human systems. It highlights practical efforts being made by citizens, civil society, government and the private sector to build resilience capacities. It urges attention on the need to strengthen our ability to transform our societies if we are to achieve the SDGs.

We are pleased to issue this joint report as a contribution to the ongoing regional and global dialogue on pathways to achieving sustainable development.

Shamshad Akhtar
Under-Secretary-General
of the United Nations and
Executive Secretary, ESCAP

Bambang Susantono
Vice-President, Knowledge
Management and Sustainable
Development, ADB

Haoliang Xu
United Nations Assistant
Secretary-General
UNDP Assistant Administrator and
Director for the Regional Bureau for
Asia and the Pacific