Adopted by world leaders in 2015, the goals focus on ending extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation, and providing universal quality education, among other goals, by 2030.
“A marked contradiction”
The findings reveal what ESCAP calls a “crude contradiction”. While Asia-Pacific has made notable progress in reducing poverty, expanding access to electricity, and reducing maternal and child mortality, these gains are being undermined by environmental deterioration and growing inequality.
“The same engines of growth that once lifted millions out of poverty and fueled rapid industrialization are now undermining our future,”said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of ESCAP.
“Our greatest collective challenge is also our greatest opportunity: to build a region that is not only richer but also smarter, healthier and fairer.”
Progress or lack of progress on SDG targets in the Asia-Pacific region.
Where is the region located
On the way or near the goal
- Access to electricity
- Mobile network coverage
- Reductions in maternal and infant mortality
Main areas of regression
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Biodiversity loss (Red List Index)
- Fossil fuel subsidies
- Labor rights/safe work environment
- Disaster-related losses
Concerns about lack of data
- Gender equality (SDG 5)
- Peace, justice and institutions (SDG 16)
Read the full report here.
Environmental setback
The report concludes that in critical areas – including climate action, marine conservation and biodiversity – Progress is not only stalling but deteriorating..
Greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase. The Red List Index, which measures the risk of extinction of species, shows an accelerated loss of biodiversity.
Marine ecosystems are in “severe deterioration”, the economic contribution of sustainable fishing is reducing and freshwater ecosystems are threatened.
Urban resilience also remains fragile. Although many countries have adopted disaster risk reduction strategies, indicators that track the human and economic cost of disasters are worsening, exposing what the report describes as a “dangerous gap between planning and real-world resilience.”
Social progress under pressure
There are areas of solid progress. The region continues to perform well in industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), supported by near-universal mobile network coverage. Access to electricity is expanding rapidly and is on track to reach its goal ahead of schedule.
Health outcomes have improved, with sustained reductions in maternal, neonatal and under-five mortality. Income poverty has decreased significantly in recent decades.
However, inequality remains persistent. Progress in income distribution is slow, the share of labor income is declining, and compliance with labor rights is receding. Informal employment and youth job prospects remain pressing challenges.
Access to education has improved, but learning outcomes are declining, with regression in minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics.
Data gaps cloud the picture
The report also shows that while data availability has improved (55 percent of SDG indicators now have sufficient data for assessment, putting the region ahead of the global average), critical gaps remain.
The lack of information on gender equality (SDG 5) and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16) is limiting the ability of policymakers to measure whether the most vulnerable are being reached.
Progress in the representation of women in management and political positions remains slow.
Incremental change will not be enough
With just five years left until the 2030 deadline, ESCAP stressed that incremental change will not be enough.
“Our current development trajectory is unsustainable and the window to take corrective action is rapidly closing.” said.