Kathmandu, February 8 – Nepal has been elected as the chair of the 11th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, a significant role in advancing the region’s progress towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Min Bahadur Shrestha, Vice President of the National Planning Commission, was unanimously elected to the position during the ongoing forum in Kathmandu, securing support from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other member states. This comes after Japan initially proposed itself for the chair role.
“I express my sincere gratitude to all member states for entrusting me with this responsibility,” Dr. Shrestha said following his election. “Nepal is committed to leading in promoting sustainable development across the region.“
The four-day forum, from February 8th to 11th, serves as a crucial platform for reviewing progress on the SDGs and charting a future course of action. This year’s discussions will focus specifically on five key goals:
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Based on the forum’s deliberations, a report will be submitted to the UN’s high-level political forum in July 2024. This report will highlight the successes and challenges faced by Asia-Pacific countries in implementing the SDGs, guiding further regional and global efforts towards a more sustainable future.
The Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development is convened by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). It involves representatives from 53 member states and 9 other organizations. Nepal’s leadership in this forum presents a valuable opportunity to contribute its own experiences and perspectives to the region’s collective journey towards sustainable development.