Follow up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development:
Implementation of the Regional Implementation Plan for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2006-2010
In March 2005, 52 governments and other stakeholders from Asia and the Pacific convened in Seoul, the Republic of Korea at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development (MCED 2005) and agreed to move the words "sustainable development" out of the realm of political rhetoric. They prioritized the achievement of environmentally sustainable economic growth, or "green" growth.
ESCAP's research has shown that although millions of people still do not even have the basic requirements for a good quality of life, the pressures exerted by economic activity on the natural resource base are dangerously high. Current patterns of economic growth will only foster continuing declines in natural capital; the hoped-for environmental improvements that are generally expected as economies grow will be increasingly elusive in the current development context.
A series of policy consultations and forums, research, internal discussions and feedback from governments, other stakeholders and partners have identified key issues to be addressed in promoting environmentally sustainable economic growth, or "green growth" in Asia and the Pacific, which now form the core of ESCAP's work on sustainable development.
The promotion of greener economic growth patterns is an important pillar of ESCAP's overall mission in building inclusive and sustainable societies. ESCAP is driving for long-term changes in economic growth patterns that will allow governments to meet the commitments of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and supporting mandates such as the Regional Implementation Plan, while still meeting the needs of the vast numbers of Asian and Pacific people who still do not have the basic requirements for a good quality of life.
Following up from the 5th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development, this publication will highlight some key green growth imperatives in Asia and the Pacific, building on the work of ESCAP to support sustainable development. It is intended to raise the awareness of decision-makers, as well as other stakeholders.
