Fiji Represented at the ESCAP Twelfth Asia Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development in Bangkok

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) convened the 12^th Asia Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development (12^th APFSD), from 25 – 28 February 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.

As the most inclusive regional platform on sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific, the 12^th APFSD served as the preparatory meeting for the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which will be convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council and be held in New York in July 2025. The outcome of the Forum will also inform the discussions at the Eighty-First Commission Session of ESCAP, to be held in Bangkok from 21 to 25 April 2025.

The 12^th APFSD focused on the theme “Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, Science- and Evidence-Based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for Leaving No One Behind in Asia and the Pacific”. The Forum aimed to assess the progress on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while exploring diverse perspectives for accelerating transformative action. Furthermore, it provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge, best practices, and policy solutions to achieve the SDG Goals by 2030.

The 12^th APFSD also assessed progress being made on the SDGs that will undergo in-depth review at the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development – Goal 3 (Good health and well-being), Goal 5 (Gender equality), Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth) and Goal 14 (Life below water) – and on Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which is reviewed every year.

Prior to the session, all the 5 subregions (Asia-Pacific) convened reviews of the above-named SDGs in preparations for the 12^th APFSD. The Pacific subregional review was held at the PIF Secretariat in Suva on 8 – 9 October 2024. The review reaffirmed the Pacific’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda, noting in particular that the Pacific is not on track to achieving the SDGs, come 2030. Other than the above, progress has been recorded in some of the SDGs- Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production). However, the regress in Goal 13 (Climate Action) is deeply concerning, given the existential threat of climate change to the Pacific Small Island Developing States.

Going forward, despite the challenges, Asia Pacific region call for a renewed global commitment to climate action and financing, recognising the existential threat climate change poses to our nations; improved access to concessional financing through the Multilateral Vulnerability Index (MVI) and Loss and Damage Fund; Pacific-led partnerships that respect national & regional priorities, traditional knowledge, and community driven solutions.

Fiji was represented at the 12^th APFSD by Fiji’s Permanent Representative to UNESCAP and Fiji’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Ambassador Amenatave Yauvoli; Senior Foreign Service Officer, Ms Anasilini Turaga; Sustainable Development Officer, from the Ministry of Finance, Ms Shareen Swami; and Ms Vasiti Cirikiyasawa, Second Secretary at the Fiji Embassy in Indonesia.

During the week, the Fiji delegation delivered three country statements regarding Fiji’s progress on the implementation of the SDGs at national level, particularly on the current work being carried out by the Fiji Government in implementing SDG Goals 3, 5, 8, 14 & 17. It highlighted vital need for active collaboration with the private sector to finance development in addressing pressing key challenges in the region, which hinder progress in the implementation of the SDGs; and the need for strong political leadership, increased investment and strengthened partnerships to enhance our collective economic growth, and the sustainability of our livelihoods and communities.

In addition, the Fiji delegation participated in Roundtable Discussions on issues pertaining to “Financing for Development & the SDGs”; two panels on the “Implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the Subregional level” and “Improving the Relevance and Manageability of Sustainable Development Reporting for SIDs”; provided Special Remarks on a Side Event on “A Regional Pathway to Achieving SDGs and Addressing the Tripple Planetary Crisis: Kickstarting the Asia Pacific Synergy Report”; and in a panel on “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the Maritime Transport Sector”.

The Fijian delegation wishes to acknowledge the support from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, the Permanent Secretary of Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, ESCAP Sub-regional Office in Suva, the PIF Secretariat, the Pacific Community (SPC), CSOs and NGOs from the Pacific, for their unyielding support to make the 12^th APFSD a successful event.