Summary and conclusions

At this, the mid-point of the Second United Nations Development Decade, many of the developing countries of the region covered by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific have experienced serious impediments to their development progress. These make the prospect of their attaining the targets of the International Development Strategy rather dim—at least unless there is a significant turn-around in circumstances which are immediately or largely beyond the control of the Governments concerned, and an equally substantial improvement in the effectiveness of their own national policies to deal with the problems besetting them. Many of these problems are local, both long-standing and more short-term, but some of the most serious have their sources outside the region altogether. These external circumstances have had very considerable impact on countries of the region which have also had to contend with serious internal difficulties.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Reduced Inequalities