https://www.unescap.org/news/asia-pacific-leaders-meet-tackle-sdg-setbac...
From rising urban inequality and persistent employment vulnerabilities to constrained public budgets and uneven access to clean energy, development challenges in Asia and the Pacific are becoming more complex and more interconnected.
Against this backdrop, the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development will convene in February and bring together policymakers, youth representatives, civil society and development partners to take stock of regional progress. The Forum will examine emerging urban and economic trends, and explore data-driven, innovative solutions to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development across the region.
Organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Forum will assess progress on Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; industry, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities and partnerships for development. As countries grapple with rising debt and limited fiscal space, discussions will also highlight the urgent need to strengthen the international financial architecture in line with the Sevilla Commitment on Financing for Development.
Held under the theme “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs for a sustainable future for all,” the Forum will focus on translating commitments into action-oriented policies. It will also facilitate the exchange of best practices and lessons learned, with particular attention to the priorities of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States in the region. Lastly, it will provide a platform and sessions to support countries presenting their voluntary national reviews at the High-Level Political Forum later in the year.
Major associated events include the annual Youth Forum and Peoples’ Forum, which serve as inclusive preparatory platforms for the APFSD, as well as Generation Hope Goals: Actions for the SDGs, a showcase of children- and youth-led solutions to climate challenges across the region. The Forum will also feature a high-level event of the President of the UN Economic and Social Council on addressing climate change and catalyzing the Pact for the Future in the Asia-Pacific context.
NOTE TO EDITOR
Media representatives are invited to cover the event in-person or follow the proceedings online. UN expert interviews are available upon request.
What: 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development
When: 24 – 27 February 2026
Where: United Nations Conference Centre, Ratchadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok
Registration: https://indico.un.org/event/1020567/
Livestream for online attendees: https://www.youtube.com/unescap and https://webtv.un.org/
Full programme: https://bit.ly/APFSD13
Key speakers:
- Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
- H.E. Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- H.E. Huseyn Huseynov, Advisor to the Minister of Economy and Secretary of the National Coordination Council on Sustainable Development, Azerbaijan
- H.E. Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard, Vice Minister for National Development Planning/Vice Head of BAPPENAS, Indonesia
- H.E. Kentaro Doi, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Japan
- H.E. Abacca Anjain-Maddison, Deputy Chief Secretary, Republic of the Marshall Islands
- H.E. Batbayar Shurenchuluun, State Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Mongolia
- Hon. Prakash Kumar Shrestha, Vice-Chairman, National Planning Commission, Nepal
- H.E. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, Undersecretary and Executive Director, Commission on Population and Development, Philippines
- H.E. Fane Fotu Fituafe, Minister of Internal Affairs, Tonga
*Note: Key speakers listed may be subject to change. Please refer to the APFSD webpage for updates
