Resource Efficiency

Ocean Cities: Snapshot for Policy-makers

The Ocean Cities Snapshot for Policy-makers serves as a companion document to the Ocean Cities Regional Policy Guide. The Ocean Cities concept is an integrated policy approach for ocean-focused and climate-responsive urban development strategies, with a focus on urban areas in Pacific island developing States. Ocean Cities are where urban landscapes and seascapes meet, where built and natural environments near coastlines interface and where human behaviour and urban development have profound impacts on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Ocean Cities: Regional Policy Guide

The Ocean Cities concept is an integrated policy approach for ocean-focused and climate-responsive urban development strategies, with a focus on urban areas in Pacific island developing States. Ocean Cities are where urban landscapes and seascapes meet, where built and natural environments near coastlines interface and where human behaviour and urban development have profound impacts on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Ocean Cities are at the forefront of the climate change consequences, the urbanization challenges and other development pressures.

Stories/Blogs under the Framework of the Humans of MY World Initiative


The Humans of MY World (HOMY) initiative showcases personal testimonies from around the world on why the SDGs matter to people and their communities. Inspired by “Humans of New York”, HOMY reveals the individual impact in achieving the SDGs. To learn more, click here

Below is a collection of select stories and blogs from the framework of HOMY. 

Integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Teacher Education in South-East Asia

This guidebook, Integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Teacher Education in South-East Asia, takes readers through a step-by-step action research approach to integrate ESD in teacher education programmes and practices. It is hoped that this guidebook will be a relevant resource for deans of education, curriculum developers and other teacher trainers/educators who can adapt it for use in local contexts. 

CLOSING THE LOOP: Unlocking the informal economy in an inclusive circular economy approach

Over half of global land-based plastic waste leakage into the ocean originates in just five Asian countries. Yet, the
contribution of informal waste management to reducing pollution, remains largely overlooked. The United
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is gathering evidence in pilot cities in
Asia to identify opportunities to return plastic resources into the production cycle by linking informal and formal
waste processes.