UNESCO contributes to 9th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2022 (APFSD), 28 – 31 March 2022
The Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) is an annual and inclusive intergovernmental forum and a platform for supporting countries in the regional implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Forum provides an Asia-Pacific perspective on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda by identifying regional trends and consolidating and sharing best practices and lessons learned.
The theme of the 9th APFSD, which takes place from 28 through 31 March 2022 in Bangkok, is ‘Building back better from COVID-19 while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Asia and the Pacific’. The Forum, to which UNESCO contributes in various ways, will play a unique role as a catalyzer of solutions and peer learning on how to accelerate transformations for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Within this thematic context, the forum will provide the space for an in-depth review of the following cluster of goals, which will be reviewed by the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in 2022: SDG 4 (Quality Education); 5 (Gender Equality); 14 (Life below water); 15 (Life on Land); and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
UNESCO participates in the Forum and contributes to it, including through the following three (3) events:
SDG 4 Roundtable (29 March, 12:30 – 14:30)
A review of SDG 4 will be co-organized by the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education (UNESCO Bangkok), in collaboration with the UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (UNICEF EAPRO); the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA); and the Learning and Education 2030+ Networking Group (LE2030+), under the auspices of ESCAP.
The SDG 4 Roundtable presents an opportunity to bring together education experts from Member governments, UN agencies, CSOs, the private sector and academia to share, discuss and exchange experiences so far in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery, and reflect on measures to be taken to get back on track and accelerate SDG 4 implementation.
Link to Registration: The SDG 4 Roundtable is limited to registered participants of the APFSD.
Side Event on Climate Science Literacy in Asia-Pacific (31 March, 12:45 – 13:45)
Climate change poses a threat to global peace, economic development, and the future of the planet. Asia-Pacific countries are currently far off target of climate-related SDGs and require major progress in increasing public awareness, attaining relevant policy adjustments, and directing economic refocus to achieve climate-related SDGs, including SDGs 13, 14, and 15.
Referencing Climate Science is critically important for ensuring that we all speak with the same vocabulary and build on science-based knowledge when addressing climate issues.
In a joint inter-agency effort, the United Nations in Asia-Pacific, through a UN working group under the umbrella of the Issue-Based Coalition (IBC) on Building Resilience, as well as the IBC on Climate Change Mitigation and Air Pollution, is building climate science literacy among the public.
During the event, a series of climate science literacy materials (poster series, video clips, social media graphics) will be launched, as well as complementary efforts addressing the importance of climate science literacy and ways to enhance the public’s literacy, as discussed among panelists and participants.
Come join us at the event!
Side Event on Bringing Living Heritage to the Classroom in Asia-Pacific to Promote Transformative Education (25 March, 14:00 - 15:15)
The UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) refers to the ‘transmission, particularly through formal and non-formal education’ as part of the proposed ICH safeguarding measures, as well as the Convention calls on States Parties to ’ensure recognition of, respect for, and enhancement of the intangible cultural heritage in society’ through education programmes.
The inclusion of safeguarding and transmission of intangible cultural heritage in the UNESCO 2003 Convention together with UNESCO’s commitment to SDG 4 and its targets and indicators reflects a growing understanding of the role of culture as an enabler of sustainable development.
ICHCAP, together with UNESCO Bangkok and APCEIU, and with support provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea, will co-organize a side event: 'Bringing Living Heritage to the Classroom in Asia-Pacific to Promote Transformative Education'.
During the side event, UNESCO invites and brings together educators, culture experts, school managers, policy makers and relevant stakeholders to talk about their successful experiences in integrating intangible cultural and living heritage in schools in Asia-Pacific. Key resources and guidance for education managers, teachers and others interested in education and culture will be introduced, thus raising awareness among educators, policy makers and relevant stakeholders in Asia-Pacific on why and how to integrate intangible cultural heritage in teaching and learning in schools throughout the region.
Upon the completion of this event, participants will possess a better understanding of the importance and benefits of adopting the transformative approach of integrating living heritage in formal and non-formal education; how it can contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; and what actions they can take to promote this approach in their countries.
Whoever you may be — policymaker, school director, teacher, student, parent, heritage practitioner — you have a vital role to play in this process. Join our event to learn more!
