Charge d’Affaires a.i. and Deputy Permanent Observer at UNESCAP Dr Jean-Pierre A. Verbiest participated in the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development organized by UNESCAP on 24-27 February 2026.

The Forum included 4 SDG round tables and a Financing for Development round table. It was attended by 1,500 delegates, a record for UNESCAP.

The primary focus of the forum was on assessing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Progress on Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation), Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy), Goal 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and Goal 17 (Partnership for the Goals) were discussed in particular in preparation of an in-depth review to be held in New York in July 2026 at a High-Level Political forum on sustainable development.

From the presentations and discussions, it was clear that in nearly all the Asia Pacific countries, most of the SDGs will not be achieved by 2030.