International: ASEAN, together with its dialogue partner China and the UNDP called on local governments of the region to take a more active role in poverty alleviation programmes as espoused by the sustainable development goals (SDGs) agenda. The call was made at a symposium held today in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
At the opening of the ASEAN-China-UNDP Symposium on Localising the SDGs and Realising Poverty Eradication, ASEAN’s Deputy Secretary-General for Socio-cultural Community Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee highlighted ASEAN’s efforts in building the ASEAN Community that is rules-based, people-oriented and people-centred. He noted the progress and achievements ASEAN has made in promoting complementarities between ASEAN’s Vision 2025 and the SDGs. He said “ASEAN Vision 2025 and SDG converge. The desire of the peoples of ASEAN to live in a peaceful, harmonious, inclusive, resilient, and healthy community meets the strong leadership and commitment of the ASEAN Leaders. Let us all leverage on the complementarities between these two important agendas for the betterment of the peoples of ASEAN.”
The ASEAN Vision 2025 has for its main goal the realization of a rules-based, people-oriented and people centred ASEAN Community where its peoples enjoy higher quality of life and the benefits of community building. Accordingly, the development of Vision 2025 was informed by ASEAN’s own development context and compliments the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. DSG Vongthep affirmed that “the complementarities between ASEAN Vision 2025 and SDGs will further unlock the potentials of ASEAN in achieving the sustainable development agenda and contribute to ASEAN regional integration and development.”