Reclaiming our future: a common agenda for advancing sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific
Over the past two decades, the region has lifted millions out of poverty. Most countries are now in a position to offer their citizens many more opportunities to live longer, healthier, more productive and secure lives. In a wealthier but riskier world, these achievements are threatened by three overlapping crises. The most immediate is the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic which has cost many lives, brought economies to a standstill and pushed back an estimated 85 million people into extreme poverty measured at $1.9 per day. Second, rapid economic growth has often had devastating environmental consequences by exhausting natural resources, generating dangerous levels of pollution and contributing to global heating. An existential threat from climate change looms large. Third, is the damage from natural disasters that recur with increasing frequency and intensity. Reclaiming our future. A common agenda for advancing sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. The theme study for the 78th Commission session describes pathways to achieve more inclusive and sustainable post-pandemic recovery. It identifies elements for a common agenda for present and future generations centred on protecting people and the planet, leveraging digital opportunities, trading and investing more together, raising financial resources and managing debt.
