SDG8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

The Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) is the most inclusive regional platform on sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.

Amongst the most notable skill deficiencies was proficiency in project and programme cycle management (PPCM). PPCM provides an overall analytical and decision-making framework for results-based management. Proficient use of PPCM techniques is essential when it comes to ensuring that programmes and projects are relevant, feasible and effective in promoting development.

It cuts across all economic sectors and constitutes 15–30 per cent of the gross domestic product in most countries, hence its significance for enhancing market competitiveness and sustainable development. Setting up effective national public procurement systems has often been a challenge, not least because of a deficit in competent human resources and the need to keep up to date with the ever-increasing complexity of the legal framework, the globalization of markets, and sophisticated contractual and tendering systems.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) give companies and investors a unique chance to create a better world. In this video, we ask prominent members from the investor world why the SDGs matter when it comes to making investment decisions.

In the context of efforts to increase levels of inclusive economic growth and entrepreneurship, bringing youth into developing economies is of real importance. However, despite the large pool of talent and high entrepreneurial capacities, access to business financing remains a significant hinderance to youth financial inclusion.

The Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report (APTIR) is a recurrent publication prepared by the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. It provides information and independent analyses of regional trends and policy developments in trade, goods and commercial services, as well as foreign direct investment. It also provides insights into the impacts of these recent and emerging developments on countries’ abilities to meet the challenges of achieving sustainable development.

The Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific lays out new arguments and evidence for the critical and urgent need to increase investment in people, particularly in social protection.

Developing countries in Asia and the Pacific only spend about 3.7 per cent of GDP on social protection, compared to the world average of 11.2 per cent. This under investment is the reason why 60 per cent of the population in the Asia-Pacific region has no protection if they fall ill, have a disability, become unemployed, pregnant or old.

On the occasion of International Literacy Day on September 8, UNESCO Bangkok celebrates the inspirational story of a single mother of two, whose pursuit of her dream stands as a testimony to the indefatigable human spirit. The dramatized tribute to Ms Supang and her family explores the transformational power of Lifelong Learning and skills development in a story that is both uniquely Thai and yet speaks to circumstances in every country – and particularly women’s empowerment through education to the benefit of society as a whole.

Organisational Background

Since 1961, UNESCO Bangkok has had a dual role as both the Regional Bureau for Education and as a Cluster Office in Asia-Pacific.

As a Regional Bureau for Education, UNESCO Bangkok provides technical expertise and assistance and serves advisory, knowledge production and sharing, monitoring and evaluation functions to assist Asia-Pacific Member States and other UNESCO field offices and antenna office in the area of education.