As Asia and the Pacific faces an unprecedented urban
transformation, with cities preparing to absorb 1.2 billion
more people by 2050 – roughly twice the population of
ASEAN – government leaders, city planners and development
experts opened the 81st session of the United Nations
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(ESCAP) today, calling for stronger regional cooperation to
shape resilient and sustainable urban futures.
United
Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of
ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana underscored the urgency of
rethinking how cities grow and function. “Urbanization is
more than just managing growth – it’s about transforming
cities into hubs of innovation, resilience and equity,”
she said.
While cities have long been drivers of
economic growth, the region’s rapid urbanization is
intensifying social and environmental pressures. One in
three urban residents still lack access to basic services.
Climate change is raising temperatures, while rising sea
levels and extreme floods threaten coastal megacities. A
significant share of the urban population remains locked in
poverty, with many living in slums or informal
settlements.
“This is the paradox we face,” added
Alisjahbana. “Our cities are engines of opportunity but
also centres of vulnerability. But there is
hope.”
“With over 2.2 billion urban residents and
seven of the world’s largest megacities, [the
Asia-Pacific] region stands at the forefront of global urban
solutions. By working together, we can close inequalities,
mitigate climate impacts and empower women while driving
investments that propel multiple SDGs forward,” said
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J.
Mohamed.
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“Urban areas across the region continue to
experience the impacts of social, economic and climate
vulnerabilities in vastly different ways. This prevents the
benefits of economic growth from reaching all urban dwellers
equally,” shared Philemon Yang, President of the United
Nations General Assembly.
The Prime Minister of
Thailand, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, as well as
several ministers from across the region made remarks on the
first day of the session. They highlighted priorities for
governments to focus on such as harmonizing national and
local policies in areas such as housing and transport,
improving subnational data collection to drive
evidence-based urban policy, strengthening urban planning to
meet the needs of ageing populations and growing migrant
communities and diversifying urban financing through
stronger municipal revenue systems.
“We must have
well-planned urban development to ensure that we achieve
resilient and sustainable urban development. We must invest
in cities that are inclusive, green and resilient,
strengthening urban network and city-to-city cooperation,
plan proactively for demographic transition and mobilize
diversified financing,” said Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Nepal, who was elected as Chair of the
81st session.
Deliberations at the session are
informed by findings of a new ESCAP study Urban
Transformation in Asia and the Pacific: From Growth to
Resilience which offers policy solutions and showcases
cities in the region that are already pioneering change. The
report highlights the transformative role of green
infrastructure, smart technologies and inclusive urban
planning in building cities that work for everyone. It also
calls for coordinated action at all levels, warning that the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved
without cities at the forefront.
“Local and regional
authorities are crucial for developing and implementing
sustainable solutions to these urban challenges. In fact,
two-thirds of SDG targets depend on action at the local
level,” stressed Bob Rae, President of the Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC).
The 81st ESCAP session is
expected to culminate on Friday with the endorsement of
regional resolutions covering, among others, strengthening
cooperation on the water and climate change nexus,
sustainable urban development and advancing the sustainable
development of middle-income
countries.
