Head of the ESCAP Pacific Office, Iosefa Maiava

The UN ESCAP 2019 economic and social survey report for Asia Pacific was launched today.

The focus was on people and planet beyond economic growth.

The flagship report highlights that Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 are attainable.

Head of the ESCAP Pacific Office, Iosefa Maiava says for countries to meet their SDGs, a significant investment is needed.

“The need, the reports estimate additional investment for achieving Sustainable Development Goals in developing countries from the Asia Pacific region and there’s an additional investment of $1.5 trillion.”

While the required additional investment is sizeable, Maiva says it’s affordable for most countries which is equivalent to 5 per cent of the combined GDP of Asia-Pacific.

#Fiji Launch of the #UNESCAP For Asia and the Pacific Economic and Social Survey.. More @FBC_News tonight pic.twitter.com/350lLjss19

— MaggieFBCNews (@MaggieFBCNews) April 4, 2019

The analysis examines key investment areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and climate actions,

Meanwhile, in July, a second Pacific Update report is expected to further detail how PICs can better navigate their economic futures.