In a lecture at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark likened the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to the post-2015 Community Vision ASEAN, as they both strive for shared prosperity and “quality” economic growth that reduces poverty and inequality without degrading the environment.
19 October 2015: In a lecture at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark likened the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to the post-2015 Community Vision ASEAN, as they both strive for shared prosperity and “quality” economic growth that reduces poverty and inequality without degrading the environment.
On financing the new agenda, Clark noted that total investment needs in developing countries over the lifetime of the SDGs are estimated at between US$3.3 to $4.5 trillion per year. She said the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region has more available resources and capabilities to address development challenges than ever before, and that official development assistance (ODA) totaled US$10 billion in 2013. She pointed to upward trends in domestic private capital accumulation and public spending in the region, and highlighted the role that Islamic finance can play, pointing to Islamic financial instruments like Sukuk (which can invest in sustainable infrastructure), and insurance concepts like Takful (which can promote social solidarity and financial inclusion).
She said several ASEAN countries, including Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines and Viet Nam, are already establishing frameworks for financing the SDGs. She also stressed the role of South-South and Triangular Cooperation in advancing the 2030 Agenda, and noted UNDP’s support for Indonesia and Thailand to review their provision of development co-operation and financing.
Clark suggested ways in which the private sector can engage with the 2030 Agenda, pointing to examples relevant to the region, such as the Sustainable Palm Oil Initiative, where up to 90% of the buying power of palm oil is signing up to deforestation-free supply chains, and the Philippines Financial Freedom Campaign, which is boosting entrepreneurship among Filipino recipients of remittances.
Clark also highlighted UNDP’s approach to supporting implementation of the new agenda, called ‘MAPS’ (mainstreaming, acceleration and policy support), which aims to build and facilitate partnerships, improve data and deepen accountability. UNDP also will support national SDG reporting, and is in the process of preparing guidelines for such reporting, she added. [UNDP Administrator Lecture] [IISD RS Story on MAPS]