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Harmonization of national laws with the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities : country case study Australia
Get PDFThis publication emanates from an ESCAP research project to study the trends of Asian and Pacific countries
in harmonizing national laws with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It examines the
extent to which reporting obligations have been fulfilled in a timely and substantive manner and the ways in
which national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, in particular organizations of persons
with disabilities, have been involved in that process. It further analyses good practices in harmonization, and
challenges which have arisen in relation to the implementation of the Convention in Australia. This analytical
country case study was prepared under the above mentioned ESCAP project and draws from reliable sources.
It is issued for the attention of members and associate members in the ESCAP region towards further
enhancement of the effective harmonization of national legislation with the Convention and the
implementation of the ConventionClick here to view the analytical regional overview and five country case studies (Australia, China, India, Republic of Korea, Thailand)Government of Australi
Supporting a regional dialogue on sustainable maritime connectivity : results of the 2023 Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Sustainable Maritime Connectivity
Get PDFRegular sharing of best practices and experiences on these and related issues can contribute to promoting better maritime transport connectivity as well as stimulating collective action for achieving SDGs. In recognition of this, the Regional Action Programme for Sustainable Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific (2022–2026), adopted at the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Transport in Bangkok in December 2021, establishes a systematic regional dialogue on sustainable and resilient maritime connectivity, including the promotion of the development of low- and zero-emissions green shipping for Asia and the Pacific in close partnership with global and regional actors and the shipping industry. The first edition of such a regional dialogue was held in 2022 as part of a Regional Forum on Connecting to Global Supply Chains through Inter-Regional Land Corridors and Maritime Routes (22-23 June 2022). The results of the 2022 dialogue are published in the dedicated policy brief, available at: https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/June22-23_PolicyBrief_Connecting_to-Global-supply-chains.pdf. This policy brief presents the results of the 2023 edition of the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Sustainable Maritime Connectivity was held in Bangkok, Thailand and online on 30-31 May 2023.</p
Strengthening regional cooperation for seamless and sustainable connectivity
Get PDFSustainable development in Asia and the Pacific is contingent on progress made by countries in
special situations, which include least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries
(LLDCs), and small island developing States (SIDS) and comprises more than half of the countries in
the region. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions and persistent economic
challenges have hindered their progress.
This report highlights the crucial role of connectivity in transport, energy and information and
communications technology (ICT) for achieving sustainable development and a low-carbon, resilient
economy. This is unique because the focus of the report is on the role of connectivity in addressing
climate change and building resilience, with attention placed on countries in special situations in
Asia and the Pacific, while considering synergies across the three sectors
ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness : 2022 annual report
Get PDFOver the past 53 years (1970-2022) Asia and the Pacific on average has experienced almost ten weather, climate, water, seismic-related disasters per month. This translates to approximately 3,200 lives lost and US3.8 million in economic damages every month. The number of recorded disasters increased by a factor of five globally and in the region by a factor of four over the same 53-year period. Early warnings for all is a key adaptation measure that saves lives and livelihoods and minimizes loss and damage; estimated to provide more than a tenfold return on investment – the greatest of any adaptation measure.
2022 saw the United Nations Secretary-General unveiling the “Executive Action Plan on Early Warnings for All” aimed at ensuring that everyone on the planet is protected by early warning systems within the next five years. Countries with limited early warning coverage have disaster mortality which is eight times higher than in countries with high coverage. ‘Early Warnings for All’ is more critical in the Asia-Pacific, as the world’s most disaster-impacted as well as most populous region.
Following the devastation caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, there was a strong recognition across the Asia-Pacific region of the need to undertake coordinated, long-term efforts to mitigate the impact of natural hazards through effective preparedness and prevention measures, including the establishment and further strengthening of early warning systems.
Since its inception in 2005, the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness has supported 31 projects with a budget of approximately 16.1 million and directly benefitted 20 countries. Through contributions from Thailand, Sweden, India, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Netherlands, the Trust Fund is evidence of how South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation can be mutually supportive. The Trust Fund works with governments, inter-governmental organizations, NGOs, media and civil society to build resilience to natural disasters in Asia and the Pacific.
Guided by the Strategic Note for 2021-2024, the Trust Fund continues to evolve and build on the opportunities offered by the global and regional commitments to further scale up, share and replicate successful pilots in multi-hazard early warning systems through regional cooperation. Investments in these systems have brought substantial benefits in terms of economies-of-scale. The Trust Fund has also proven to be an effective vehicle for countries to access and share data, tools, and expertise to support disaster resilience in the region.
In accordance with the Trust Fund’s Terms and Conditions, this Annual Report provides an overview of the results of the Trust Fund in 2022. It also describes the financial status of the Trust Fund and the activities carried out by the secretariat.
Since its inception in 2005, the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness has supported 31 projects with a budget of approximately $16.1 million and directly benefitted 20 countries. Through contributions from Thailand, Sweden, India, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Netherlands, the Trust Fund is evidence of how South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation can be mutually supportive. The Trust Fund works with governments, inter-governmental organizations, NGOs, media and civil society to build resilience to natural disasters in Asia and the Pacific.
Guided by the Strategic Note for 2021-2024, the Trust Fund continues to evolve and build on the opportunities offered by the global and regional commitments to further scale up, share and replicate successful pilots in multi-hazard early warning systems through regional cooperation. Investments in these systems have brought substantial benefits in terms of economies-of-scale. The Trust Fund has also proven to be an effective vehicle for countries to access and share data, tools, and expertise to support disaster resilience in the region.
In accordance with the Trust Fund’s Terms and Conditions, this Annual Report provides an overview of the results of the Trust Fund in 2022. It also describes the financial status of the Trust Fund and the activities carried out by the secretariat.
[1] Global Commission on Adaptation, 2019, ‘Adapt Now’.</p
Addressing public debt challenges to effectively pursue the SDGs : regional perspectives
Get PDFJointly prepared by the five Regional Commissions of the United Nations, this policy brief outlines public debt trends across the globe, discusses policy options to address rising public indebtedness while keeping in view the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and highlights policy experiences that governments across regions can learn from each other. To manage fiscal and debt risks, governments need to deploy resources raised from increasing public debt as investments in people and the planet, which can offer sizeable medium- and long-term economic, social and environmental returns. Increasing fiscal revenues and improving public spending effectiveness and efficiency are key to expand the fiscal space. Better management of public debt can also go a long way in reducing fiscal risks and government borrowing costs. For countries already facing elevated debt distress risk, timely sovereign debt restructuring can help mitigate the adverse socioeconomic consequences of continued debt distress. In support of such restructuring, the international development community should step up its efforts to accelerate progress towards common international debt resolution mechanisms and restructuring frameworks.</p
Voluntary national review brief : Nepal
No full textLeave no one behind (LNOB) is the central, transformative promise of the2030 Agendafor Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. Between 2011 and 2022, Nepal has made significant progress in enhancing overall access and closing the gap in respect to basic sanitation, basic drinking water and electricity, but more efforts are required to enhance access to clean fuels. Social protection benefits that leave no child, persons with disabilities or older persons behind can help Nepal accelerate reductions in poverty (SDG 1) and inequality (SDG 10).Leave no one behind (LNOB) is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. Between 2011 and 2022, Nepal has made significant
progress in enhancing overall access and closing the gap in respect to basic sanitation, basic drinking water
and electricity, but more efforts are required to enhance access to clean fuels. Social protection benefits
that leave no child, persons with disabilities or older persons behind can help Nepal accelerate reductions in
poverty (SDG 1) and inequality (SDG 10
