Affordable and Clean Energy

The 2025 edition of the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects report comes at the mid-way point of a decade that has been characterized by economic turbulence.

The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 presents a regional and global economic outlook for 2025 and underscores the importance of global cooperation and prudent policies to lift global growth and accelerate progress towards the SDGs. This year’s thematic chapter takes a deep dive into the role of critical minerals in ramping up energy transition and delivering sustainable development. These minerals are key to build renewable technologies to achieve net zero by 2050 while bringing tremendous opportunities for many developing countries to create jobs generate revenues and spur industrialization.

Countries in Asia and the Pacific are encountering varying transport challenges that are preventing them from achieving sustainable development in general particularly targets relevant to the following SDGs: Goal 3 (good health and well-being) Goal 5 (gender equality) Goal 9 (industry innovation and infrastructure)

Sustainable Trasport is critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through enhancing accessibility to essential services and facilities and reducing inequalities supporting industry innovation and connectivity including associated supply chain networks and cross-border freight transport which will also lead to higher levels of efficiency in the system especially with the deployment of information and communication technology and real-time data sharing across a supply chain in the long term. By reducing greenhouse gas emission and air pollution through low carbon technologies mode shifts alternative fuels and route optimization sustainable passenger and freight transport can mitigate climate change impact while improving public health at the same time. additionally improved public transport systems serve as a core function of sustainable cities while minimizing resource use and remains uneven across countries. the "Review of Developments in Transport in Asia and the Pacific 2024: Transition Towards Sustainable Transport Solutions" examine progress made in seven transport areas regional land transport connectivity; maritime connectivity; transport digitalization; low carbon mobility; urban transport; road safety and inclusive transport. it highlights sustainable transport solutions and provides policy insights to support SDG achievement in Asia and the Pacific helping policymakers transport planners and researchers understand current sustainability levels gaps trends and required actions for sustainable transport development in the region.

Current estimates have shown that the Asia-Pacific region is not on track to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 (ESCAP 2024a). In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sustainable transport is mainstreamed across several SDGs and targets especially those related