Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Pyeongchang winter games herald peace, prosperity
Oped, Shamshad Akhtar, Published on 09/02/2018
» All eyes are on the 23rd Olympic Winter Games and 12th Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. Top athletes will carry their national flags in an opening ceremony which has come to epitomise the international community. Sports fans worldwide eagerly await the Olympics, and this time there is cause for cautious optimism that sport diplomacy may lower tensions on the Korean Peninsula itself. Leaders, diplomats and citizens from the world over will witness North and South Korean athletes walking side by side. For this, there could be few better places than Pyeongchang, which means peace (Pyeong) and prosperity (Chang): goals integral to the mission of the United Nations and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Living sustainably alongside increasing natural risks
News, Shamshad Akhtar, Published on 20/09/2017
» The past few weeks have been a grim reminder that natural disasters know no borders. They can strike countries at opposite ends of the globe simultaneously and whether in Asia or North America, the images of people and livelihoods being swept away are disturbing.
Escap continues to build on seven decades of success
News, Shamshad Akhtar, Published on 27/05/2017
» The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap) marks its 70th anniversary this year. This is a rare opportunity for the oldest and largest of the United Nations regional commissions to take stock of past achievements, but also to spotlight where efforts need to be concentrated to meet new challenges.
Asia-Pacific moves towards global development goals
News, Shamshad Akhtar, Published on 05/04/2017
» With just over a year since the adoption of a historic blueprint to end poverty and protect the planet, positive signs have already started to emerge among countries in the Asia-Pacific region as they push ahead with the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Asean needs to cross boundaries
News, Shamshad Akhtar, Published on 20/02/2017
» The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has shown to be an exemplary role model for regional cooperation guiding the 10-country bloc on the path toward shared prosperity and sustainable development.
Disasters need better risk handling
News, Shamshad Akhtar, Published on 30/01/2017
» This month's floods are a worrisome reminder of the increasing uncertainty of extreme weather events. Thailand's flood season usually ends in November, but this year, influenced by a low depression area and a strong northeast monsoon, widespread flooding in the south of the country has killed more than 90 people, affected over 330,000 households, and resulted in widespread asset losses.
Asia-Pacific's road to sustainability
News, Shamshad Akhtar, Published on 08/12/2016
» Transport is a key contributor to economic growth, prosperity and to societal well-being.
An opportunity to raise productivity
News, Shamshad Akhtar, Published on 30/11/2016
» Against the backdrop of a sluggish global economy, lacklustre trade growth, and uncertainty in major economies, countries of the Asia-Pacific region continued to push ahead at an estimated 4.9% in 2016.
Asia-Pacific inequality trap needs to be tackled
News, Shamshad Akhtar, Published on 21/03/2016
» Rising inequality threatens to derail, from the start, successful implementation of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific region. Stronger, more equitable social protection will be critical in overcoming these challenges.
Asia-Pacific celebrates 70 years of growth, security
News, Shamshad Akhtar, Published on 24/10/2015
» On this day, 70 years ago, the Charter of the United Nations came into force — hope, rising from the ashes of World War II. For seven decades the UN has driven multilateralism for peace, security, development and human dignity — in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. Although far from perfect, no other organisation has done more to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and to promote social progress and better standards of life” for all.