31 December 2015: The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) released several publications addressing inequalities, including reports on: employment opportunities for persons with disabilities; youth participation in public decisionmaking; and the role of social protection.

Based on a range of research, including a disability survey carried out by ESCAP in 2015, the report titled ‘Disability at a Glance 2015: Strengthening Employment Prospects for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific’ provides an overview of legislation, policies and practices around the region. The report discusses barriers faced by persons with disabilities seeking employment, and proposes actions that governments can take. The report also presents country-specific data on the situation of persons with disabilities. It is the fifth report in ESCAP’s ‘Disability at a Glance’ series, which began in 2006.

The report titled ‘Switched On: Youth at the Heart of Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific’ examines the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development from a youth perspective. It discusses ways to engage young people in implementing the Agenda, and highlights the importance of policies that respond to young people’s needs and rights in the areas of poverty alleviation, health, education, labor market participation, environmental management, and peace and security. The report is published by the Regional Coordination Mechanism – UN Development Group (UNDP) Asia-Pacific Thematic Working Group on Youth, which is co-chaired by ESCAP and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

In the ESCAP report titled ‘Time for Equality: The Role of Social Protection in Reducing Inequalities in Asia and the Pacific,’ the authors present evidence that inequalities are on the rise, undermining the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in the region. They discuss inequalities experienced by children, workers and older persons in relation to health care, education and labor conditions. The report argues that social protection is an effective instrument to reduce inequalities and promote sustainable development. The report also provides examples of successful social protection schemes, saying that more can be done to enhance social protection in the region. [Publication: Disability at a Glance 2015: Strengthening Employment Prospects for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific] [Publication: Switched On: Youth at the Heart of Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific] [Publication: Time for Equality: The Role of Social Protection in Reducing Inequalities in Asia and the Pacific] [ESCAP Publications]