Summary

Armida Salsiah ALISJAHBANA began by stating that the theme of this year’s ISAP captures both the urgency and the opportunity of the current global situation. She emphasised that multilateralism is facing unprecedented strain globally, narrowing the window of opportunity to achieve international sustainability goals. She stated that the focus of the forum—pursuing synergies and achieving a just transition—is now more relevant and critical than ever.

She pointed out that Asia and the Pacific is home to over 60% of the world's population and that regional choices on production, consumption, building and cooperation, will determine how the global community can effectively address the triple planetary crisis, as well as maintaining opportunities for sustainable prosperity. She stated that policy responses to challenges such as health impacts from severe air pollution, rising temperatures, ocean warming, and biodiversity loss often remain fragmented and siloed, missing opportunities for integrated approaches.

She noted that such approaches, including nature-based solutions (NbS) and circular economy initiatives, can deliver cost-effective and resilient outcomes, and leverage many co-benefits. Key priorities include: ① mainstreaming synergies in national development plans and climate finance strategies, ② supporting synergy promotion in local governments and communities, and ③ developing post-2030 sustainable development agenda with synergies as a core principle. She further pointed out that unilateral solutions are insufficient and that integrated approaches emphasising synergies are beneficial for transboundary issues such as air pollution, marine plastic pollution, and climate-induced displacement. She also emphasised that regional cooperation, shared learning, harmonised strategies and joint investment are indispensable for promoting synergies, especially for least developed countries. She stated that the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific is currently preparing an Asia-Pacific Synergy Report in collaboration with IGES, UNEP, and the Asian Development Bank, which will chart a path towards more synergistic system-based solutions.

She also touched upon the importance of a just and inclusive transition. She anticipated that green shifts in energy and industry often impose adjustment costs on certain workers, industrial sectors and communities, and that without a fair stake in the transition, resistance will grow, and hard-won gains may be reversed. She expressed the view that social production schemes, reskilling programmes and community-led planning are essential pillars for just transition.

She ended by acknowledging that our world is indeed in flux, but that flux is not fate. The Asia-Pacific region has resources, ingenuity and the collective will to chart a path towards a sustainable, resilient and equitable future. She expressed her hope that fruitful and meaningful discussions will take place at this year’s ISAP, with the aim of forging new partnerships and scaling up proven solutions.