Today’s unprecedented COVID-19 crisis has prompted billions of people to work, socialise, and consume digitally. This shift creates a historic opportunity to unlock the potential of digitalisation to finance more inclusive, sustainable development. Digitalisation is transforming every aspect of finance.
The importance of a reliable and widely accessible health-care system is never more apparent than during a pandemic. It is now painfully clear that countries cannot pursue economic development, and assume that the health system will develop in tandem.
There is no denying that single-use plastic has been a lifesaver in the fight against COVID-19, especially for frontline health workers. It has also facilitated adherence to social-distancing rules, by enabling home delivery of basic goods, especially food.
The world added 12 percent more clean power capacity in 2019 than the year before, but new renewable energy planned over the next decade falls far short of what is needed to forestall dangerous global warming, the United Nations (UN) warned on Wednesday.An additional 184 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power - mostly solar and wind - came on line last year, according to the Annual Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment report, jointly issued by the UN Environment Programme and Bloomberg New
Memories of idyllic beaches and sonorous waves may seem far away while we all remain under lockdown at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, we need not look far to appreciate the enduring history of the ocean in Asia and the Pacific. For generations, the region has thrived on our seas. Our namesake bears a nod to the Pacific Ocean, a body of water tethered to the well-being of billions in our region.
The latest United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) progress report on ASEAN SDG Baseline highlights that ASEAN member states are already lagging behind on the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Over the years, there have been more girls attending schools and completing their studies with many focusing on their careers and a bright future. Girls are also leading global movements on issues ranging from climate change and poverty to gender-based violence and child marriages, proving themselves to be unstoppable. In Lao PDR, youths below the age of 25 make up more than half of the country’s population.
With the current COVID-19 health crisis looming – infecting close to two million people worldwide, governments have imposed drastic measures to contain the virus. It was reported that three billion people are currently under lockdown worldwide in an effort to flatten the curve. Other than that, authorities have urged citizens to practice social distancing and have even released hygiene tips to show people how to protect themselves from the coronavirus.
Yesterday, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) released the 'Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2020'.
Rising economic prosperity and poverty reduction may not tell the whole story of progress in Asia and the Pacific. Telling signs in the natural world recount a narrative that is far from complete. This year has been particularly affected by the COVID-19 global health pandemic, with devastating impacts on our health and the economy.
Everywhere around the world, nations are gearing up for peaceful rallies and activities in conjunction with International Women’s Day (IWD) this Sunday, 8 March. The campaign theme for this year’s IWD is #EachforEqual. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the core message of the theme is to have “an equal world in an enabled world”.
As global business and political leaders gather in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, they should ask themselves one big question: Will the world achieve the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals for 2030?
