Rapid urbanization and changing consumption patterns, and the environmental and development impacts associated with these trends, are presenting significant challenges to countries in Asia and the Pacific. In many places, urbanization has occurred in parallel with increased housing shortages, inadequate access to basic services, environmental degradation and rising social inequalities. At the same time, cities are both major contributors to climate change and vulnerable to it, and they are uniquely positioned to lead transitions to help achieve global development agendas.
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is set to convene senior government officials, urban leaders, top experts and other stakeholders to exchange views on strengthening multilateral cooperation on environment and development challenges facing the region, including through actions taken by cities.
The Eighth Session of the Committee on Environment and Development will take place from 16 to 18 October at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok. Discussions will focus on the challenges, opportunities and priorities for localizing action in five priority areas - air pollution; low-carbon transition and low-greenhouse-gas emission development strategies; ocean protection; sustainable urban development; and access to information concerning the environment and public participation in decision-making processes.
