International Organization Urges Universal Cooperation Towards Sustainable Objectives Unification
Rewritten Article:
Headline: Unescap Pushes for Regional Collaboration to Build Resilient and Equitable Cities in Asia-Pacific
Gathering ministers and key stakeholders from around the region, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Unescap) championed regional cooperation for sustainable urban development yesterday at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok.
Hosting their 81st meeting session under the theme "Regional Cooperation for Resilient and Sustainable Urban Development in Asia and the Pacific," Unescap sought to delve into policies that could promote inclusive and sustainable growth in line with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
In her opening address, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra asserted that urban areas are a breeding ground for challenges in the years to come, citing projected figures predicting that 70% of the global population will populate urban spaces by 2025. She emphasized the pressing need for sustainable urbanisation in terms of both policy and practice.
Highlighting the mounting pressure urban dwellers face, the PM underscored the significance of disaster risk reduction in urban planning. Budding floods, droughts, and heatwaves, she pointed out, necessitate an emphasis on integrating disaster risk reduction into urban cityscapes.
Further pointing at the importance of safety in urban areas, Shinawatra voiced support for stronger protections against transnational crimes like drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime. Enhanced law enforcement, digital access, and digital literacy, she emphasized, are essential measures to combat these challenges.
Displaying commitment to catalyzing resilient cities, Thailand, per the PM, plans to introduce a 20-baht flat fare across Bangkok's urban rail network, aiming to minimize economic disparities, slash transportation costs, and bolster connectivity.
Ms. Paetongtarn concluded her speech with the conviction that urbanization is not solely about ensuring safety and well-being but instead about crafting a resilient future.
Via a video message, Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, underlined the importance of cities in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Accounting for 80% of GDP in the Asia-Pacific region, urban areas are pivotal when it comes to addressing climate change and spurring economic growth. Nevertheless, social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities continue to lag on, hindering equal growth access.
Unlocking equitable urban development, Mr. Yang called on member states to prioritize sustainable investments in public infrastructure, expand green spaces, and persist in inclusive urban planning. Regional collaboration, he emphasized, is indispensable, particularly through platforms like the Pact for the Future.
The Asia-Pacific region has seen a myriad of initiatives targeting sustainable and inclusive urban development, focusing on fostering resilient cities, integrating disaster risk reduction, and championing equitable urban growth. Some key initiatives include Unescap's regional cooperation push, the Urban Innovations Fair, and reports advocating for green urban strategies and governance models that champion equitable access to basic services. Overall, such endeavors reinforce the necessity of cooperation, innovation, and inclusiveness in paving the way for resilient and sustainable urban futures in the Asia-Pacific region.
- The need for sustainable urbanization, as emphasized by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is crucial to address the projected 70% global population living in urban spaces by 2025.
- In line with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, Unescap is championing regional cooperation for resilient and sustainable urban development in Asia and the Pacific.
- Urban areas face mounting pressures, and disaster risk reduction, as highlighted by Prime Minister Shinawatra, needs to be integrated into urban cityscapes for safety.
- Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, stressed the importance of cities in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly in addressing climate change and spurring economic growth.
- To unlock equitable urban development, Yang called for member states to prioritize sustainable investments in public infrastructure, expand green spaces, and persist in inclusive urban planning.
- Thailand's plan to introduce a 20-baht flat fare across Bangkok's urban rail network aims to minimize economic disparities, slash transportation costs, and bolster connectivity, positively impacting lifestyle factors like sustainable living.
- The Pact for the Future, as a regional collaboration platform, is indispensable in advocating for sustainable and equitable urban development in the Asia-Pacific region, aligning with general news and policy-and-legislation discussions.
