The Asia and the-Pacific SDG Progress Report 2024 is one of the annual flagship publications of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). It provides an overview of SDG Progress in the region which serves as a foundation for many other activities conducted by ESCAP and our partners. This year the report shines the spotlight on success stories and trends and the unique challenges faced in the different parts of the region. It draws out the priorities and opportunities for enhancing data availability on SDG indicators especially for the most vulnerable population groups which could help shape more equitable and inclusive development pathways strategies.

The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2022 analyses regional and subregional progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. This publication applies a measurement framework developed by ESCAP to identify progress gaps and acceleration requirements at goal target and indicator levels. On chapter 3 (Vulnerabilities and the pandemic: Risk of widening disparities) the report was developed in cooperation with UN agencies; ILO IOM UNDP UNEP UNESCO UNFPA UNHCR UNICEF UNODC and UNWomen. The following topics are introduced in the report: Chapter 1 – Regional overview Chapter 2 – Around Asia-Pacific: Diverse progress across subregions Chapter 3 – Vulnerabilities and the pandemic: Risk of widening disparities Chapter 4 – Unpacking the SDG data gaps

This report analyses trends as well as data availability for monitoring progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia and the Pacific and its five subregions. It assesses gaps which must be closed to achieve the goals by 2030. This assessment is designed to ensure the region’s actions remain on target shortcomings are addressed as they arise and all interested parties remain engaged. It is an invaluable resource for all stakeholders involved in prioritization planning implementation and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific.

This publication informs inter-governmental and inter-agency regional decision making in support of implementing the 2030 Agenda in the region. It highlights areas where progress has been made concerning Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and areas that need collective decisions for prioritizing acceleration or changing trends. It provides an effective communication tool to foster inclusive regional consultations and effective engagement of the stakeholders including media and civil society. The report uses cross-nationally comparable data from the ESCAP database on the proposed SDGs indicator framework as well as statistics available at the regional and sub-regional levels.