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Bangkok - 29 Mar 2016

News Number: N/08/2016

ESCAP will convene the third session of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD 2016) from 3 to 5 April 2016, at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.

This is the first regional forum on sustainable development to take place following adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The forum will engage member States, UN institutions, and other key stakeholders on regional priorities for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Asia and the Pacific, reflecting ESCAP’s mandate for follow up and review. It will make recommendations on scientific and technological innovation for sustainable development, and on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

The forum is also expected to define a regional road map for implementing the 2030 Agenda in the region. The conclusions and recommendations of the forum aim to strengthen national governments’ implementation efforts and will inform the global debate at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which will be convened in New York during July 2016.

APFSD 2016 will be preceded by the: Asia-Pacific Civil Society Forum on Sustainable Development to be held from 31 March to 2 April 2016 in Bangkok as a preparatory event for the APFSD.

What: Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2016

Who:

  • Opening Session: Welcome address by Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP
  • Address by: H.E. Mr. Siaosi Ofaki Vahafola Sovaleni, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment, Tonga and APFSD 2015 Chair and Ms. Mai Naomi Thang and Mr. Sanjeet Aggarwal, Youth Representatives

Where: UN Conference Centre, Rajadamnern Nok Ave, Bangkok 10200

When: 3 - 5 April 2016

Programme highlights

Sunday, 3 April

17:00-17:30 Launch of the Transformations for Sustainable Development report
Jointly launched by ESCAP/UNEP/IGES/UNU - embargoed copies available for interested media on Friday 1 April.

Monday, 4 April

10:20-11:40 Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development
What can we learn from countries in the region who have implemented integrated STI policies? How can governments incentivize private sector to harness STI for the social/environmental/economic imperative?

12:30-14:00 Associated Event on SDG6 – Clean Water & Sanitation. Moderator: Mr. Ravi Narayanan, Chair, Governing Council, Asia-Pacific Water Forum

12:30-14:00 Associated Event on SDG10 – Reduced Inequalities, Moderator: H.E. Ms. Saida Muna Tasneem, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand and PR to ESCAP [TBC]

14:00-17:00 Making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable: priorities & opportunities What are the policy and governance shifts needed to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities in the region? How can SDGs be aligned with existing planning priorities and frameworks?

Tuesday, 5 April

10:00-11:20 Special Event on Global Partnership on Sustainable Development Data.
Panel discussion with the World Bank, ESRI Asia and Geo Secretariat

13:00-15:00 Side events:

  • ‘Building knowledge partnerships: Academia and UN System Knowledge Platforms for Advancing the SDGs.’ (UNESCO, Chulalongkorn University Global Network (CGN), The Sustainability Platform).
  • ‘Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment: transforming economies, realizing Agenda 2030.’ (Thematic Working group on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women - ESCAP, UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA).
  • ‘Are we ready to build inclusive and engaging societies?’ (ESCAP).

For further information, visit: http://www.unescap.org/events/apfsd3

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