Asia-Pacific remains the fastest-growing economic powerhouse in the world. This strong economic growth has lifted about 1 billion people out of extreme poverty since the turn of the century.
Home to 60 per cent of the world’s total population and 70 per cent of the world’s populous cities, Asia-Pacific continues to experience fast urbanization expansion. However, the region’s resource-intensive growth has come at a high price and poses a significant threat to people’s well-being and the environment.
The increasing population, industrialization, and rapid urbanization have led to the accelerated use of natural resources at an unsustainable rate. Inefficient extraction of materials created pressures on the environment driving the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
UN Environment Programme works with countries in Asia-Pacific to pursue growth that catalyzes the efficient use of the region’s natural assets, reduces degradation of the environment, and brings social and economic benefits to the people of the region. We focus on innovative and impactful solutions to environmental challenges with an integrated approach that brings together all three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social, and environmental.
We work with national and local authorities, civil society, UN entities, financial institutions, regional bodies and networks, research institutions, and the private sector. We also support countries in transforming their economies and societies into one that is inclusive, fair, and more connected with nature.
