Ministers and senior officials from the Asia-Pacific region have adopted the 'Bangkok Declaration of the Asia-Pacific region on the United Nations Development Agenda Beyond 2015,' emphasizing the need for sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth to eradicate poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
28 August 2013: Ministers and senior officials from the Asia-Pacific region have adopted the ‘Bangkok Declaration of the Asia-Pacific region on the United Nations Development Agenda Beyond 2015,’ emphasizing the need for sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth to eradicate poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Bangkok Declaration is the outcome of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Dialogue: From the Millennium Development Goals to the United Nations Development Agenda Beyond 2015, which took place in Bangkok from 27-28 August 2013. The meeting was organized by the Government of Thailand, supported by the UN Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), to discuss the post-2015 development agenda and provide input to the work of the UN General Assembly Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants emphasized that poverty reduction and education are crucial for achieving development goals.
The Bangkok Declaration stresses the need for financial resources and technology transfer in achieving poverty eradication and sustainable development. It calls for a strengthened global partnership to implement internationally agreed goals, and a focus in addressing the special needs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The Declaration reaffirms the need for a fair, just and open multilateral trading regime, removal of trade barriers, and resistance of all forms of protectionism. It recommends that the post-2015 development agenda address all forms of inequalities and their underpinning factors.
Prior to the Dialogue, the Asia-Pacific Civil Society Consultation on a Just and Transformative Development Agenda took place from 25-26 August 2013, organized by ESCAP and the Campaign for People’s Goals for Sustainable Development, with the Asia Development Alliance, IBON International and other partners. Civil society met with OWG Co-Chair Macharia Kamau during the meeting to express their concerns. [ESCAP Press Release] [Ministerial Dialogue Webpage] [IBON International Press Release] [IISD RS Sources]