Speeches
29 May 2013Energy powers opportunity. We must shift to a more sustainable path of energy production, distribution and consumption. This transformation is non-negotiable if our region is to eliminate poverty, reduce disparities, and achieve shared prosperity.
24 May 2013People- and planet-centered development requires collective action, especially at the regional level, because so many of transboundary issues are about regional public goods. System change entails risks and uncertainties, and we know that some countries are reluctant to be first-movers. Collective action and partnerships can, however, reduce the risks and uncertainty associated with systemic transition and structural shifts.
20 May 2013Safe and affordable water and sanitation must be at the heart of our regional, sub-regional, and national efforts to build a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for our people and our planet.
1 May 2013A recurring theme of this 69th session of the Commission has been regional opportunity. The opportunity to grow better, to close development gaps, to build resilience, to end hunger, and to ensure the inclusive and sustainable future we want.
29 Apr 2013Asia-Pacific’s continued rise is, by no means preordained. The path ahead is not without difficulties, and doing more of the same will not advance our shared development journey to the future we want. Success will require a different pattern of growth, cooperation, and partnership, to address the multiple risks and challenges that we currently face.
29 Apr 2013It is unacceptable that in the 21st century, with all of our technological and agricultural expertise, more than 870 million people globally wake up hungry every morning, try to find the energy to make a living for their families through the day, and then still go to bed hungry at night. Despite the good progress made in reducing extreme poverty, Asia-Pacific is still home to 563 million undernourished people – and 134 million of them are children under the age of five. Allowing children to go hungry is, essentially, stunting our shared future.
25 Apr 2013Our shared challenge, in the week ahead, is to use this intergovernmental platform of the 69th Commission session, to agree on the outlines of a framework for inclusive and sustainable development, which will drive our regional efforts, and strengthen the Asia-Pacific voice in global negotiations.
25 Apr 2013Least developed and landlocked developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region remain deeply vulnerable to external shocks. The post-2015 development agenda must continue to build resilience, productive capacity, and human security in support of these countries with special needs.
22 Apr 2013As our first regional meeting to follow-up on Rio+20, this meeting offers a platform to voice the views and priorities of the countries of Asia and the Pacific in the global processes, and to also outline Rio+20 follow up at the regional level.
25 Mar 2013Regional consultations by all five UN Regional Commissions have highlighted a number of priorities for the next phase of global development: we need to accelerate the implementation of the MDGs, but we also need a new development model to be based on structural changes for equality, inclusiveness, resilience and sustainable development, as a more integrated whole. It has to be a transformative post-2015 development agenda, that is people-centered, cares for our planet, and which generates shared and sustained prosperity.