On 21 April 2021, the Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs) initiative is hosting the Resource Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption and Production for an Inclusive and Resilient Recovery in Asia and the Pacific- GO4SDGS High level launch.

Asia and the Pacific is fast becoming the largest market in the world with the strongest economic growth of all regions, driven by infrastructure development, increasing domestic private consumption and intraregional trade. However, this growth remains largely founded on unsustainable consumption and production patters that exacerbate inequality and environmental degradation, intensifying existing risks and vulnerabilities in a changing climate. Since early 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic growth has been hit, especially some sectors such as tourism, transport, and circular supply chains in production.

The region plays a central role in global value chains, but at low rates of resource efficiency, presenting significant opportunities for circular economy practices. The region has regressed on sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and urgently needs to reverse material consumption and footprint trends to meet the goal, notwithstanding progress on individual targets. Rising incomes and lifestyle changes and continued resource-intensive growth patterns are expected to further exacerbate resource depletion and ecosystem degradation. Concerted public and private action is needed to increase resource efficiency, fundamentally shift consumption patterns and production processes, improve waste management systems, and transition toward a more circular economy approach.

The launch will be held virtually in two sessions:

GO4SDGs High level Launch - Resource Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption and Production for an Inclusive and Resilient Recovery

Wednesday, 21 April 2021 at 14:00-15:30 (BKK time)

Advancing Innovation and Circularity for SMEs

Wednesday, 21 April 2021 at 16:00-17:00 (BKK time)