Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2020

This report analyses trends as well as data availability for monitoring progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia and the Pacific and its five sub regions. It assesses gaps which must be closed to achieve the goals by 2030. This assessment is designed to ensure the region’s actions remain on target, shortcomings are addressed as they arise, and all interested parties remain engaged. It is an invaluable resource for all stakeholders involved in prioritization, planning, implementation and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific. The analysis of progress in the Asia-Pacific region against the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) shows that the glass is half full. The most remarkable progress since 2000 has been made on quality education (Goal 4) and some elements of affordable and clean energy (Goal 7). The assessment of anticipated progress towards the targets by 2030 (figure 2) suggests that achieving these two goals could even be within reach, providing the region accelerates its efforts. Nevertheless, the target-level analysis reveals areas of concern that need urgent action. In particular, more must be done to reach targets for increasing the share of renewable energy and enhancing the quality of education as well as equal access to education for all.