07 asian nsds asef_e.antonio_21_nov12

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES IN

ASIA & PACIFIC REGION:

Ella S. Antonio

Status, Challenges, and Lessons for SDG

Implementation

Strategy formulation in Asia & Pacific has reached some level of maturity

SD Plan/Strategy Country

NSDS (Long-Term) Majority (No info: North Korea, SIDS)

Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper

Almost all developing and poor countries

Socio-Economic; Environment & Similar Plan (Medium-Term) Almost all.

Specialized Plans (CC; GG; GE) Many

Sector plans All

But the NSDS formulation and implementation remain extremely challenged The SD concept and its operationalization are still not quite

understood and implemented

Conventional development strategy is no longer compatible with emerging realities; inter-linkages (e.g. among energy, food and financial markets) must be given more attention

Perspectives and strategies for long term sustainability are compromised by short-term priorities and sidelined during crises. Short- or medium-term plans are preferred

Leadership changes & international agreements tend to redirect strategies or produce new ones (e.g. GG/GE; CC)

Challenges Implementation is hampered by lack of

ownership and support due to weaknesses in the formulation process, e.g.: Some were produced only for compliance or use of

available external funding Lacks participation.

Enabling or support mechanisms are generally not in place: Investment program; Budget support (not normally linked to budgeting); Legislative agenda, Research Agenda; M&E system, etc.

Challenges Coherence, integration and internal consistency remain

weak horizontally and vertically

The tendency to formulate strategies for each pillar/dimension remains strong

Regional, sub-regional, national & local strategies are disconnected & do not inform each other. Existing strategies have limited coordination and consistency

Appropriate/Working institutional mechanisms are generally not in place

A communication program for formulation and implementation is not given attention

An M&E system with appropriate indicators & assessment methodology is sometimes not in place

Points to Ponder 1. With all the challenges it faces, how

prepared is AsPac for the development and pursuit of SDGs?

2. Does AsPac have what it takes to develop and pursue SDGs?

3. What does AsPac need to respond to the SDG challenge?

GNH

Psychological Wellbeing • Life satisfaction • Positive

emotions •Negative

emotions •Spirituality

Health •Mental health •Self reported

health status •Healthy days •Disability

Time Use • Work • Sleep

Education • Literacy •Schooling •Knowledge

•Value Cultural Diversity and

Resilience •Speak native

Language •Cultural

Participation •Artistic Skills

•Driglam Namzha

Good Governance

•Govt performance

• Fundamental rights

•Services • Political

Participation

Community Vitality •Donations (time

& money) •Community

relationship • Family •Safety

Ecological Diversity and Resilience •Ecological Issues •Environmental

responsibility •Wildlife damage •Urbanization

issues

Living Standards •Assets •Housing •Household per

capita income

Gross National Happiness

Pillars: good governance sustainable socio-economic

development cultural preservation environmental conservation

Center for Bhutan Studies

One Index 33 indicators

China’s Circular Economy

Goal: Green consumption

and production Resource efficiency Less GHG Minimized waste

esa.un.org

China Agenda 21 Goals: national economic

development increased social productivity enhanced overall national

strength improved quality of life

Goal: Secure National SD Capability Commensurate with G20 Status Strategies Adaptation to Climate Change

and Response Mechanism Improve sustainability of

economic & industrial structure Promote social equity and

public health Enhance sustainability of ENR

Indicators: 77

Goal: A Global Green Leader Strategies Climate Change Response Reduce GHG; Energy

independence; Adapt to CC New Growth Engines Develop green technology; Green

the industry sector; Advance industrial structure; Establish foundation for GG

Quality of Life Green space & transportation;

Green revolution in life; Global model on GG

National SD Strategy

SD Strategies of Republic of Korea

Green Growth Strategy

Thailand Eradication of Poverty Ensuring competitiveness of economy Improving social development Ensuring good governance Ensuring clean and health environment\

Papua New Guinea Integral Human

Development Equality and

Participation National Sovereignty

and self reliance NR and the

environment

Vietnam

A viable and vibrant economy that significantly reduces poverty & inequality A social system that develops self-reliance Abundant, healthy and well-managed

archipelagic ecosystem Responsive, accountable and responsive

government

NSDS Goal Industrialized country by 2020 GG Goal Green growth and low carbon economy

mainstream of sustainable economic development and strengthen social economic development.

Philippine Agenda 21 National SD Goals

Responses to Questions 1. AsPac readiness to develop, adopt and pursue SDGs

varies widely among countries. Prepared countries are a minority

2. Only some AsPac countries have what it takes to develop and pursue SDGs Countries are very clear about their goals but have limited

capability to attain them

A few have defined and adapted SD to their aspirations and culture and contributed to the global body of knowledge

Many introduced innovations, shifted towards thematic (integrated) strategy formulation, and develop indicators and measurement systems

Responses to Questions 3. Following are proposed to be undertaken to help AsPac face

the SDG challenge: Carefully understand the NSDS formulation and

implementation situation, strengths and weaknesses Reformulate/Recalibrate/Fine-Tune NSDS taking into

account lessons from precedng bullet Harmonize goals and strategies Reform the institutional framework at the national level and

complement this with reforms in other levels.

Thank You.

Bhutan Legal Code of 1629

“if the Government cannot create happiness for its people, then there is no purpose for government to exist.”