Bangkok, 05.09.2017– Prudent statements in line with policy perspectives towards a resource efficient Asia Pacific Region were made today in the first day of a 4 day long “Asia Pacific Ministerial Summit on the Environment” at UNCC, Bangkok. Dr. Shahriar Hossain, the Secretary General of Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO of Bangladesh stated the major challenges and the emerging need as way forward towards the resource efficient Bangladesh according to the agenda items of the summit. The summit is jointly organized by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and UN Environment which started yesterday on 5 September and will continue till 8 September, 2017.
Dr. Shahriar said, ‘On behalf of Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO, Bangladesh I would like to express my sincere thanks and support to ESCAP document ‘Policy perspectives towards a resource-efficient Asia Pacific region.’’
‘In our region, we have resource to tackle the SDGs; but resource management is the biggest challenge particularly on natural resources. We believe it is high time to protect our forest, land and water bodies’, he emphasized.
Dr. Shahriar also added that, ‘As this document described that, ‘’sustainable and efficient management of natural resources is a frequent and crucial aspect of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other global agendas, the present document provides an updated review of trends, challenges and opportunities emerging from the use of natural resources in the region in recent years. ‘’
He stated, ‘‘Taking this is an explanation, we believe collective national and regional approach is high demanding; a political commitment is an emerging need; real and practical participation of the grassroots people, including indigenes and marginalize group with multi stakeholders needed.’’
‘‘We strongly believe, regional cooperation is the key and coordination between govt. academia, CSOs will help to reduce information gaps, and this cooperation will foster more resource efficient approach in Asia Pacific region’’, Dr. Shahriar concluded.
About ESCAP
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. Made up of 53 Member States and 9 Associate Members, with a geographical scope that stretches from Turkey in the west to the Pacific island nation of Kiribati in the east, and from the Russian Federation in the north to New Zealand in the south, the region is home to 4.1 billion people, or two thirds of the world’s population. This makes ESCAP the most comprehensive of the United Nations five regional commissions, and the largest United Nations body serving the Asia-Pacific region with over 600 staff.
About ESDO
Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO is an independent and non-profit research and public policy lobbying organization dedicated to the conservation of bio-diversity, toxic free world through working to achieve environmental and social justice since 1990. The mission of ESDO is to promote and encourage an environmental movement through a participatory democratic framework involving diverse social groups, and to assist them with ideas, information, and leadership for promoting a safe and sustainable environment.
 
For More information:
Dr. Shahriar Hossain
Secretary General, ESDO
Cell Phone: +880-1711545066
E-mail: shahriar25@gmail.com