BANGKOK, 26 FEBRUARY 2024 - The Philippines, represented by Ms. Rosemarie G. Edillon, Undersecretary for National Development Policy and Planning, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), was elected as one of the Vice-Chairs of the 11th United Nations Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD11), which was held in Bangkok from 20 to 23 February 2024.

The Philippines was among the 53 Member States elected by the membership of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to steer the Forum, with Nepal as the Chair and Armenia, Cambodia, Fiji, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives as Vice Chairs.

The APFSD is an annual meeting to review the progress of the Asia Pacific’s work on the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year, under the theme of Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: The Effective Delivery of Sustainable, Resilient, and Innovative Solutions in Asia and the Pacific, the Forum reviewed the region’s progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (No poverty), 2 (Zero hunger), 13 (Climate action), 16 (Peace, justice, and strong institutions), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).

The four-day Forum offered a platform for the exchange of various perspectives on the theme topic, by Member States and major groups of stakeholders: local governments, civil society groups, and international organizations, among others. The Forum was also an opportunity for participants to respond to UNESCAP’s Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2024: Showcasing Transformative Actions, in particular the report’s finding that “Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific will take an extraordinary collective effort. On its current trajectory, the region will not meet any of the 17 SDGs by the agreed deadline. Current estimates show these will not be reached before 2062, at least 32 years behind schedule.”

Undersecretary Edillon delivered the Philippines’ country statement on the review of the regional progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. She said that like other nations, the Philippines faced constraints in achieving the SDGs, yet the country is steadfast in its commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda. She added that the Philippines recognizes the Agenda’s importance in guiding the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental aspects for development.

The Undersecretary also highlighted the Philippines’ initiatives on systemic response in managing and reducing disaster risks, as well as the projects provided for farmers to support managing the risks in agriculture due to extreme weather events, and ensure sustainable finance for people’s livelihoods, and enhance the resiliency of the communities.

Undersecretary Edillon chaired the AFPSD’s High-Level Panel: On the Road to the 2024 Summit of the Future. As recognized in the Political Declaration adopted at the 2023 SDG Summit, The Summit of the Future, which will be held in New York on 22-23 September 2024, will serve as an “important opportunity to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs”. During the 11th APFSD, participants shared their views and expectations of the Summit of the Future, including its outcome, the inter-governmentally negotiated Pact for the Future, meant to chart a course towards a sustainable and equitable future.

In addition to the Vice Chair role, Undersecretary Edillon served as the head of the Philippine delegation to the Forum. The delegation included representatives from NEDA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Undersecretary Edillon with UN Under-Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder (top photo), and with UN Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana (bottom photo) Photos by UNESCAP

On the sidelines of the Forum, Undersecretary Edillon had bilateral meetings with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Policy, Mr. Guy Ryder, and United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary, Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

For information on the 11th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, please visit https://www.unescap.org/events/apfsd11. END