Latest news with #ESCAP
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
UN Report Highlights Urgent Financing Solutions To Achieve The SDGs In Asia And The Pacific
A new report from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) offers over 40 innovative and actionable strategies for countries in the region to close the development financing gap. This comes as financial and geopolitical pressures across the region threaten to further derail progress on poverty reduction, climate action and economic recovery. Developing countries globally now face an annual shortfall of between US$2.5 trillion and US$4 trillion to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Without major improvements in the way development is financed, many countries in the region risk falling further behind. The sixth edition of ESCAP's Financing for Development report points to longstanding weaknesses in public finance and private investment systems. Many governments in the region continue to face difficulties in raising domestic revenues at the scale needed. Tax structures remain inefficient, and opportunities to tap into wealth and real estate are often underused. At the same time, capital markets are underdeveloped, and private financing rarely reaches high-impact sectors such as clean energy, healthcare or affordable housing. 'Nowhere is this challenge – and opportunity – more urgent than in Asia and the Pacific,' underscored Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. She added, 'This is our chance to build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable economy for all. We aim to foster solutions that are regionally grounded, technically sound and financially viable. Unless Asia and the Pacific can lead boldly, the global transition will fall short of expectations.' Public debt distress has also become a growing concern. The report calls for more responsible borrowing, better transparency in how public funds are used, and stronger coordination among creditors to ensure fair and effective debt resolution. The report further recommends closer alignment between sustainable finance and development goals. It also notes that when countries plan investments that support both environmental and economic outcomes, they are more likely to deliver results that benefit people and the planet. 'This report serves as an important guide for governments and regulators in expanding access to financing aimed at sustainable development. It offers effective approaches to ensuring the availability of capital while considering national priorities and specific circumstances,' said Faizidin Qakhkhorzoda, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan. He further welcomed the call to strengthen the regulatory framework for sustainable finance, improve disclosure standards and promote innovative financial instruments. The report was launched on 30 June at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain. It is the first time that ESCAP and partners such as the Asian Development Bank, Climate Bonds Initiative, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Regional Collaboration Centre for Asia and the Pacific have collaborated to call for the region's action in areas such as sustainable capital markets, financing the energy transition and developing sustainable project pipelines to close the financing gaps.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Goal To Get All Pacific Births And Deaths Formally Recorded By 2030
Governments across Asia and the Pacific have made a pledge to ensure all births are registered and all deaths recorded by 2030. It was adopted at the conclusion of the Third Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) in Asia and the Pacific. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) said progress has been made - the number of unregistered children under five has dropped to 51 million, from 135 million in 2012. Twenty-nine countries now register over 90 percent of births within a year, while 30 countries achieve the same for death registration. However, an estimated 14 million children do not have their births registered by their first birthday; and each year, about 6.9 million deaths go unrecorded, most often those occurring outside of health facilities or in remote communities. UNESCAP executive secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana said these numbers are more than statistics. "They represent lives without legal recognition and families left without support," she said. "We have seen inspiring examples of countries reaching the most marginalized, embracing digital innovation and strengthening legal and institutional frameworks." ESCAP said in its statement the declaration sets out an ambitious roadmap to 2030 and "one that places people at the centre". "The declaration also highlights the importance of marriage registration and the urgent need to build resilient and inclusive CRVS systems that can withstand future crises and reach everyone, especially the most vulnerable. "It signals a united drive to close the remaining gaps, build resilient and inclusive CRVS systems and ensure that every person - regardless of gender, location or circumstance - is counted, protected and visible in public policy."
Scoop
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Governments Commit To Ensuring Every Birth Is Registered And Every Death In Asia And The Pacific Is Recorded By 2030
Governments across Asia and the Pacific today reached a landmark decision to ensure that all births are registered and all deaths are recorded by 2030, bringing the vision of universal, inclusive and resilient civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems one step closer to reality. This renewed pledge, adopted at the conclusion of the Third Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) in Asia and the Pacific, ushers in the next chapter of the CRVS Decade. It strengthens regional momentum and aligns more closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing the shared vision of inclusive development for all. The Ministerial Declaration reaffirms the shared vision that all people in Asia and the Pacific will benefit from universal and responsive CRVS systems, essential for ensuring legal identity, protecting human rights, enabling good governance, strengthening public health and driving sustainable development. The Declaration also highlights the importance of marriage registration and the urgent need to build resilient and inclusive CRVS systems that can withstand future crises and reach everyone, especially the most vulnerable. Over the past decade, Asia and the Pacific has made remarkable progress: The number of unregistered children under five has dropped to 51 million today from 135 million in 2012, a reduction of more than 60 per cent. Twenty-nine countries now register over 90 per cent of births within a year, while 30 countries achieve the same for death registration. The quality of cause-of-death reporting has also significantly improved, thanks to sustained efforts to strengthen civil registration and health systems. But despite this progress, an estimated 14 million children across the region still do not have their births registered by their first birthday. And each year, approximately 6.9 million deaths go unrecorded, most often those occurring outside health facilities or in remote communities. 'These numbers are more than statistics, they represent lives without legal recognition and families left without support,' said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). 'This week has been a powerful call to action. We have seen inspiring examples of countries reaching the most marginalized, embracing digital innovation and strengthening legal and institutional frameworks.' The Declaration sets out a bold and ambitious roadmap to 2030, one that places people at the centre. It calls for inclusive and accessible service delivery, harnesses the power of digital transformation, strengthens legal foundations and builds integrated interoperable data systems. Governments across the region also committed to improving gender equity in registration processes, safeguarding personal data and privacy and ensuring the continuity of CRVS services even in times of crises. The renewed commitment marks a powerful regional pledge to leave no one behind. It signals a united drive to close the remaining gaps, build resilient and inclusive CRVS systems and ensure that every person – regardless of gender, location or circumstance – is counted, protected and visible in public policy.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Australia provides funds to boost investment, economic cooperation with Laos
Government officials, representatives from the Australian Embassy, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific gathered after the launch of the LIFT 4 Laos programme in Vientiane on Tuesday. - Photo: Vientiane Times/ANN VIENTIANE: The Government of Australia has provided more than AUD2.1 million through the Mekong-Australia Partnership initiative to enhance Laos' investment climate, foster sustainable growth, and deepen regional cooperation. The Lao government, Australia, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on Tuesday (June 24) launched the Laos-Australia Investment Facilitation and Transformation for Economic Resilience (LIFT 4 Laos) programme. The initiative aims to strengthen Laos' capacity to attract high-quality foreign direct investment, promote sustainable economic development, increase resilience to external shocks, and enhance regional cooperation. Building on longstanding collaboration between ESCAP, the Australian Embassy in Laos, and the Investment Promotion Department, LIFT 4 Laos will deliver a comprehensive approach that combines institutional capacity building, development of concrete investment promotion tools and investment-ready projects, establishment of effective systems for investor targeting and facilitation, and strengthened integration of Laos into Asean's investment networks and value chains. Head of Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bovonethat Douangchak, said 'Today, we celebrate not just the launch of a programme, but the deepening of a vital partnership between Laos and our esteemed development partner Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and ESCAP.' 'This collaboration is a clear indication of our shared vision and commitment to unlocking Laos' vast economic potential for green growth and sustainability.' Chargé d'Affaires at the Australian Embassy in Laos, Benita Sommerville, said 'Australia is proud of our enduring partnership with Laos. A key pillar of our partnership is economic, trade and investment cooperation. I am pleased Australia can further deepen our partnership in economic development through this new partnership, supported by Australia through the Mekong-Australia Partnership, with the Investment Promotion Department.' 'Attracting high-quality investment is critical to Laos' sustainable growth, bringing in technology, skills and standards that lift productivity and create long-term jobs. It helps diversify the economy and ensures that development benefits communities, not just company balance sheets.' 'LIFT 4 Laos builds on a portfolio of collaboration between ESCAP and the Government of Laos, including the development and implementation of the Asean Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan, as well as the successful organisation of the Asean Investment Forum 2024 also funded by Australia, which took place in Vientiane during Laos' Asean chairmanship, Sommerville said. The LIFT 4 Lao initiative will deliver targeted capacity building, institutional system development, and stronger regional integration. - Vientiane Times/ANN
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
In Bangkok, a commitment from Asia Pacific nations to count every single birth and death
Governments across Asia and the Pacific, on Thursday, June 25, 2025, signed off on a landmark decision to ensure the all births are registered and all deaths are recorded by 2030, at the third ministerial conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics for Asia and the Pacific, at Bangkok, Thailand. This is expected to bring the bison of universal, inclusive and resilient CRVS systems a step closer to reality. What are CRVS and why are they important? The United Nations defines civil registration and vital statistics as the 'continuous, permanent, compulsory and universal recording of the occurrence and characteristics of vital events of the population in accordance with the law.' These vital events include births, deaths and marriages, divorces, besides causes of death. The focus of the nations is on registering births and deaths as a fundamental aspect of a person's legal identity, and besides, grant access to a whole range of life cycle benefits/functions for any one living in a society. Birth registration grants individuals formal legal recognition, enabling access to essential rights and services, including health services. Death certificates serve as legal proof of death, supporting families with matters such as inheritance, insurance and other administrative processes. In 2014, the United Nations' Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), launched the 'CRVS Decade' to 'Get every one in the picture.' The decadal progress was measured in a review that was then launched as a publication last week. In her preface to the publication, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, wrote: 'Importantly, civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems help protect populations in vulnerable situations, as birth and marriage registration can serve as safeguards against child marriage, trafficking and modern slavery by verifying age and identity.' Acknowledging legal identity in good governance and justice, is also target 16.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Birth registration has an intergenerational impact, empowering registered mothers to secure legal identity and rights for their children, breaking cycles of invisibility and exclusion. Earlier, speaking to the media, Ms. Alisjahbana said the ID card is the most important part of every one's wallet, and as such it goes beyond a mere document. There have been accelerated actions by many countries that have led to better registration rates in these nations, and the successes have come as a result of collaborative work in the region, learning from each other's work. As a result, over the last decade, in the countries in the Asia Pacific region, the number of children under 5 who are unregistered had dropped to 51 million, from 135 million in 2012, a reduction of more than 60%. 29 countries currently have reported over 90% registration of births in a year, and 30 countries have achieved this for death registration. The quality of cause of death reporting has also significantly improved, ESCAP acknowledged. However, despite this progress, an estimated 14 million children across the region still do not have their births registered by their first birthday. Every year, an approximate 6.9 million deaths also go unrecorded. Extension of deadline Responding to a question on the future of the programme, Ms. Alisjahbana said: 'We have been very fortunate in seeing significant progress, and political will and investments in this decade. They have paid off. But there is a lot of work to be done yet, and there is in place a very good momentum to accelerate operations and digitalisation to ensure registration. So the consensus among member nations is to extend it to 2030.' With the chosen decade complete, but 100% registration still not achieved, the Declaration has decided to extend the roadmap to 2030, the end of the decade, with people at the centre. This one calls for inclusive and accessible service delivery, harnessing the power of digital transformation, strengthening legal foundations and building inter-operable data systems. Governments also provided commitments to ensuring gender equity in registration, safeguarding personal data and privacy. Indian scenario In India, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner is responsible for civil registration as well as the production of vital statistics. The Ministry of Health supports the civil registration system providing incentives for registration, manpower and logistics support under the National Health Mission. There is no fee for birth registration within the prescribed period of 21 days, although fees for birth certificates may vary according to State/local body. The Indian national CRVS coordination mechanism was established in August 2015, while a national CRVS strategy and a comprehensive assessment are still in progress. In 2011, the Office of the Registrar General identified challenges such as lack of awareness regarding the need and importance of registration, low priority accorded to the system of civil registration by the States, lack of coordination among the concerned departments and low level of reporting by registration units. To tackle these issues, several initiatives were launched. Among these measures were developing a software application for online and offline registration of birth and death covering the entire gamut of the civil registration system: registration of events, generation of certificates, and generation of statistical tables and reports. In addition, a new project on data digitisation is being implemented, with the support of UNICEF, to keep old records in easy to retrieve digital form has started. This will help in storage of registers in electronic format and allow easy access to the records. Digital transformation Ms. Alisjahbana earlier also acknowledged this, in response to a question from The Hindu, that India with its strength and leadership in digital transformation has helped a lot with rolling out a CRVS system that can be implemented digitally. Tanja Sejersen, Statistician, ESCAP, who spoke to press persons, along with Ms. Alishjahbana, said, the use of technology has been super helpful in certain countries in advancing the principle of registration, but in other countries, could be a stumbling block. There has been, since the launch of the Decade of CRVS, a broader push for linking digital transformation. India's representative at the Ministerial conference, Nityanand Rai, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs, said the country has embarked an citizen-centric activities that will make universal registration possible across the country. The registration of births and deaths is mandatory under the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969, and amendments to it, have made possible digital registration of births and deaths and the recognition of electronic documents that can be stored safely and securely in the Digilocker by all, obviating the need for presenting hard copies of documents. In India, legal provisions now cover the registration of adopted, orphaned, abandoned, surrendered, and surrogate children, along with children of single parents or unmarried mothers. It has been made mandatory for medical institutions to provide cause of death certificates to the Registrar. He added that a new central CRVS portal had been launched too. As a result of these proactive policies, the registration of births had increased from just over 86% at the beginning of the CRVS decade to over 96% in India, he said. Children participants the ministerial conference made a strong pitch for ensuring registration for all children irrespective of the many variables that may make it difficult for their parents to register their births. 'Bureaucracy shouldn't be the reason we remain invisible,' they said. As the conference wound to a conclusion, the nations' commitments seemed solid. If commitments count, then strident steps had already been made towards achieving universal registration in the Asia and Pacific region. The words of Siromi Turaga, Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney General, Fiji, during his address at the ministerial event, must go home though, to every nation: 'The progress of the decade was only possible because of shared commitment in the region. As we look ahead to 2030…together we can ensure that every person in our region is seen heard and counted. (This reporter was at Bangkok at the invitation of UN-ESCAP)
