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EAEU and ESCAP exchanged experience on achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals in light of global turbulence
Askar Japparkulov noted at the session "COVID-19 Recovery Efforts and Full Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at All Levels" that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp slowdown in global economic growth; in particular, in 2020 the GDP physical volume index decreased by 2.9% in the EAEU. However, after the pandemic’s acute phase and gradual rollback of restrictive measures during 2021, the global economy and the EAEU countries’ economies were able to adapt to the new business environment.
"Accelerated digitalization, restoration of business activity and labor migration after removing restrictions, as well as increased indicators in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and medical products - all these factors have played a positive role in the EAEU countries’ economic recovery. In the new realities, developing energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies, the EAEU sustainable electric power market, green and low-carbon technologies, as well as support for international initiatives to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic consequences in business and trade given the need to maintain priority rates of the SDGs achievement come to the fore", Askar Japparkulov said.
During the session "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11)" Andrey Panteleev noted that the EAEU started to raise its possibilities after adopting the Strategy-2025 in terms of building sustainable cities and spreading best practices.
The Forum attendees discussed the water security of the North and Central Asia region, as well as developing renewable energy sources. Strengthening these areas will lead to growth in income, sustainable development and enhanced resilience to climate change in the region.
The Forum also discussed gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls (SDG No. 5); best practices to ensure universal accessibility to clean water and sanitation (SDG No. 6); potential areas of interstate cooperation and multi-stakeholder participation for developing sustainable energy sector (SDG No. 7); potential of bridging the digital divide to promote comprehensive economic recovery (SDG No.9); and best practices to address various aspects of the cost of living crisis (SDG No.17).
The Forum attendees expressed willingness to cooperate and exchange experience in developing green and inclusive infrastructure, manufacturing sectors of the regions, as well as improving statistical systems for monitoring the SDGs achievement.
"The ESCAP is ready to work with States, international organizations and integration associations to address global and regional challenges and develop joint recommendations", stated Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP.
The North and Central Asian Multistakeholder Forum on Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals is an annual event organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) jointly with its partners inside and outside the United Nations system since 2017.
ESCAP is the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, one of the five regional UN commissions. The ESCAP headquarters are located in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand. ESCAP has 53 States and 9 associate members.
The Strategic Directions for Developing the Eurasian Economic Integration until 2025 were approved by Decision No. 12 of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council dated December 11, 2020.
