https://www.unescap.org/news/asia-pacific-ministers-tackle-urban-challen...
Home to over 2.2 billion city dwellers and many of the planet’s largest megacities, Asia and the Pacific is the world’s urban powerhouse. But the region also faces a number of challenges, with population growth slowing and key vulnerabilities, such as economic volatility, climate-related risks and social disparities, requiring integrated sustainable development strategies.
Ministers and other key stakeholders will gather this April at the 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to underscore the critical role of regional cooperation in overcoming the challenges faced in cities and advocate shared approaches to realize the ambitions of the global development agendas, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda.
Discussions at the session will also be guided by the theme study Urban Transformation in Asia and the Pacific which explores the future of urbanization, focusing on the dynamic shifts in the region’s urban landscape. It highlights the region’s demographic transformations, including population ageing and the persistent challenges of urban poverty and inequality. The analysis covers urban areas of all sizes, from megacities to smaller towns, and emphasizes the need for innovative governance models and sustainable development strategies to meet the region’s unique urban needs.
Various side events and an Urban Innovations Fair will also be held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok throughout the week.
NOTE TO EDITOR: Members of the media are invited to attend in-person or via the online webcast.
What: The 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
When: 21 – 25 April 2025
Where: UN Conference Centre, Ratchadamnern Nok Avenue, 10200 Bangkok
In-person registration: https://indico.un.org/e/CS81
Livestream for online attendees: https://webtv.un.org/ and https://www.youtube.com/unescap
Full programme: https://www.unescap.org/events/commission81
Programme highlights (UTC+7 time zone):
- 21 April, 0900 – 1200hrs: Opening of the session and special remarks by Heads of State/Government
- 22 April, 0900 – 1200hrs: Presentation of the findings of the theme study and roundtable on “Regional cooperation for resilient and sustainable urban development in Asia and the Pacific”
- 22 April, 1400 – 1600hrs: Special Body on Least Developed, Landlocked Developing and Small Island Developing States
- 23 April, 0900 – 1100hrs: High level dialogue with subregional organizations
- 25 April, 1400 – 1600hrs: Adoption of the report and Closing session
Key speakers:
- Amina J. Mohamed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
- Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
- H.E. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand
- H.E. Philemon Yang, President of the seventy-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly
- H.E. Robert K. Rae, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- H.E. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of Bangladesh
- H.E. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan
- H.E. KP Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal
- Hon. Panapasi Nelesone, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Development of Tuvalu
- H.E Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia
- Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat
- Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, Vice Chair of ESCAP Sustainable Business Network, Chairwoman of the Indonesian Employers’ Association (APINDO) and Chief Executive Officer of Sintesa Group, Indonesia
*Note: Key speakers listed may be subject to change. Please refer to the CS81 webpage for updates
