This report analyses trends as well as data availability for monitoring progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia and the Pacific and its five subregions. It assesses gaps which must be closed to achieve the goals by 2030. This assessment is designed to ensure the region’s actions remain on target, shortcomings are addressed as they arise, and all interested parties remain engaged. It is an invaluable resource for all stakeholders involved in prioritization, planning, implementation and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific.

Key findings:
Part I - Regional Progress

The Asia-Pacific region needs to accelerate its progress on all 17 SDGs.

There is reason for hope the region can accelerate progress on several targets.

Only 42 per cent of the SDG indicators are available for assessing progress in the region.
(Read Part I)

Part II - Subregional Progress

Obstacles to progress differ across subregions.

Cooperation and exchange among subregions can accelerate progress toward the goals.
(Read Part II)

Part III - Strengthening National Statistical Systems for the 2030 Agenda

Lack of effective communication of statistics and insufficient demand for indicators are two sides of the same coin that undermine the evidence-base for monitoring progress on the SDGs.
(Read Part III)

Annexes

Annex 1 – Figures on SDG progress across Asia and the Pacific by subregion

Annex 2 – Technical notes

Annex 3 – Table of indicators selected for SDG progress assessment

Annex 4 – List of countries in the Asia-Pacific region and subregions

Annex 5 – Indicators for monitoring the declaration on Navigating Policy with Data to Leave No One Behind