Top UN Officials Call For Addressing Widening Inequalities In Asia-Pacific Region
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published May 15, 2018 | 08:30 AM
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th May, 2018 ) :With the divide between rich and poor continuing to widen "especially in the Asia-Pacific region" top United Nations officials are calling for greater emphasis on growth that leads to fairer societies and a healthier planet.
In a video message to the opening of the 74th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(ESCAP), UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the potential offered by the region.
"The Asia-Pacific region is an engine of global growth, trade and investment and the creation of jobs all over the world," he said, "but profound transformation is underway, driven by technological innovation and the challenge is to ensure that this transformation is for the better and takes everyone in the Asia-Pacific region with it," he added.
"The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is our blueprint for success and the Asia-Pacific region can lead from the front." "Not only does inequality have a whole goal dedicated to it, but it is also a driving force behind the entire 2030 Agenda," he said.
Convened under the overarching theme of "Inequality in the era of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," the Commission meets against the backdrop of increased global uncertainty over the benefits of globalization and rising economic protectionism " coupled with concern over climate change.
According to ESCAP, the UN development arm in the Asia-Pacific region, in spite of progress across the region in improving access to basic services" inequality remains a major impediment.
Shamshad Akhtar, the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, said that overcoming the challenges would a profound impact.
"Collectively we have an opportunity to shape policies to reduce inequality, exploit frontier technologies and strengthen multilateralism for the benefit of all citizens across Asia and the Pacific," said Ms.
Akhtar, a former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan. "That is an opportunity, which together, we should seize," she added. On its part, ESCAP has been working with Member States to promote balanced growth; strengthen social protection; reduce vulnerability to environmental shocks, and close the so called "digital divide" she added.
President of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, who was elected chairperson of the 74th session of the Commission, underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation to translate the 2030 Agenda into success on the ground.
"As small island developing States we rely on our closest development partners, including ESCAP to support our efforts to translate the ambitious 2030 Agenda into tangible outcomes and actions, recognizing our unique challenges and vulnerabilities," she said.
ESCAP is the largest of the UN regional commissions. Spanning a geographic area stretching from Russia to New Zealand and from Turkey to the tiny Pacific island of Kiribati, the region is home to almost two-thirds of the world's population. APP/ift
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
U.S. envoy calls on Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
Poland arrests man over suspected plan to kill Zelensky
EU wants to ease youth movement to and from UK
Police foils attempt of supply mainpuri raw material
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
4 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
4 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
5 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
8 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
10 days ago -
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
12 days ago
-
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
12 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
12 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
12 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
14 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
14 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre honoring Pir Hassam din Rashdi to take place on April 1
19 days ago