Showing 1 - 10 of 15
Rising heat needs urgent response
Oped, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Published on 24/11/2025
» 2024 was the hottest on record globally. In Asia and the Pacific, Bangladesh was the worst-hit country, with about 33 million people affected by lower crop yields that destabilised food systems, along with extensive school closures and many cases of heatstroke and related diseases. Children, the elderly and low-wage earners in poor and densely populated urban areas suffered the most, as they generally had less access to cooling systems or to water supplies and adequate healthcare. India, too, was badly affected, with around 700 heat-related deaths mostly in informal settlements.
Protection in the megatrend age
Oped, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Published on 08/10/2024
» Social protection systems are essential to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Rethinking public debt as a positive
Oped, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Published on 04/04/2023
» The unprecedented fiscal firepower used to protect the vulnerable from the harsh socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting economic contraction have pushed the average government debt level in the Asia-Pacific region to its highest since 2008.
How to drive sustainable growth
Oped, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Published on 16/02/2023
» Rapid development in Asia and the Pacific has propelled the region to become a key engine of growth for the global economy, yet this prosperity has not reached everyone. And with the region not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, much work lies ahead of us.
Can Asia-Pacific get to net zero?
Oped, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Published on 29/11/2022
» The recent climate talks in Egypt have left us with a sobering reality: The window for maintaining global warming to 1.5 degrees is closing fast and what is on the table currently is insufficient to avert some of the worst potential effects of climate change. The Nationally Determined Contribution targets of Asian and Pacific countries will result in a 16% increase in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from the 2010 levels.
A bigger role for the disabled
Oped, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Published on 20/10/2022
» Ten years ago, the Asia-Pacific region came together and designed the world's first set of disability-specific development goals: the Incheon Strategy to "Make the Right Real" for Persons with Disabilities.
Act now on sustainability goals
Oped, Armida Alisjahbana, Woochong Um and Kanni Wignaraja, Published on 14/07/2022
» The start of a "Decade of Action" to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has also marked beginning of an unprecedented period of overlapping crises.
Tackling the pandemic of inequality
Oped, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Published on 12/04/2022
» After two years of human devastation, the world is learning to live with Covid-19 while trying to balance the protection of public health and livelihoods.
2030 development goals receding
Oped, Armida Alisjahbana, Published on 17/03/2022
» The first quarter of 2022 marks the second anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic, and while an end to the pandemic is in sight, it is far from over and the consequences will be felt for decades to come. At the same time, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is becoming increasingly distant. The region must use the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as a roadmap to a fairer recovery.
Society needs disability inclusion
Oped, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Published on 03/12/2021
» As the world observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, we honour the leadership of those with disabilities and their tireless efforts to build a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable world. At the same time, we resolve to work harder to ensure a society that is open and accommodating of all.