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Progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains uneven and inadequate across various segments of the population and within the five subregions of Asia and the Pacific. 

According to a new report published by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on Thursday, gender and location remain key factors in determining levels of poverty and inequality in the region.

“While additional efforts are required across the board, granular data emphasizes the urgency of addressing inequalities that impact marginalized groups, including women, girls, rural populations and the urban poor, who continue to find themselves locked out of education and employment opportunities,” underscored United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

“Equally, the sustained progress gap revealed between countries in special situations, especially Pacific small island developing states, and the rest of the region demands a concerted response from international, regional and national partners,” added Alisjahbana.

The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2024 takes a closer look at groups that may be disadvantaged, focusing on how sex, urbanization, education level, age and income contribute to existing disparities and sometimes exacerbate them.

Despite overall progress in school enrolment rates, women and girls in the region continue to face considerable challenges when it comes to accessing education and employment opportunities. They have lower enrolment rates and struggle with literacy. Young women also encounter difficulties accessing labor markets, leading to higher rates of youth unemployment. Meanwhile, the challenges facing men tend to be related to their health or personal safety. They suffer from higher rates of suicide, chronic diseases and road traffic deaths.

People living in rural areas face pronounced disadvantages, such as limited access to basic drinking water and sanitation facilities. Additionally, the lower availability of clean cooking fuels in these areas contributes to serious respiratory diseases. In general, urban areas exhibit better conditions, yet paradoxically, within these areas, the poorest boys and girls face significant hurdles in completing upper secondary education.

At its current pace, the report further highlights that the region will not achieve all 17 SDGs before 2062—marking a significant 32-year delay. While positive steps have been taken toward eliminating poverty (Goal 1) and bolstering sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure (Goal 9) in the region, progress in other critical areas has been more modest. Efforts toward mitigating hunger (Goal 2), enhancing health and well-being (Goal 3), ensuring the availability of clean water and sanitation (Goal 6), expanding affordable and clean energy (Goal 7) and building sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11) have been less pronounced and require heightened attention.

On a more encouraging note, the report shares several laudable national success stories on supporting at-risk population groups. In the Philippines, for instance, dedicated research and analysis aimed at estimating the cost of supporting children living with a disability played a pivotal role in influencing recent legislation to provide a disability allowance, extending support to children with disabilities. 

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that party’s members have not felt the party’s presence in the government. Presenting a document at the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC), Thapa maintained that NC cadres were not connecting themselves with the government’s policy, priorities and programs.

In this scenario, there is a state of confusion inside the party—whether to defend the government or question its relevance, Thapa states in his document. He added that party leaders cannot turn a deaf ear to such a scenario.

Thapa, who prepared the document after extensive consultations with cadres at the grass-roots, noted that there is dissatisfaction over the electoral alliance with the Maoist party. Due to the electoral alliance, cadres did not get the chance to vote for the party’s election symbol, which has created frustration, The cadres have taken the pre-poll alliance with the Maoists as a sign of waning of the party’s ideology and they are unhappy with the party leadership, Thapa said. Thapa has stated that the party should stick to the present ruling coalition but it should pass a resolution declaring that such an alliance won’t continue after the completion of its five-year tenure.

In his political document, the NC general secretary has said that the party failed to implement its statute, which resulted in undemocratic functioning of the party, adding that there is a tendency of neglecting the party’s statute. Per Thapa’s analysis, the party is neglecting the minority voices and those losing elections are adopting non-cooperation policies across the party line. The party is totally visionless leaving the rank and file disillusioned, he said at the party meeting and proposed organizing the party’s general convention on schedule.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said the World Social Forum represents an important space to lift up voices, focus on the most vulnerable, restore hope and find innovative solutions for people and the planet.

He said this in a message of best wishes he sent to the World Social Forum (WSF) 2024 that commenced here on Thursday. In his message, the UN Secretary-General has conveyed his warm greetings to all gathered in Kathmandu for the four-day event.

"Thank you for coming together in the spirit of solidarity and cooperation. Uniting for the common good is critical as conflicts rage and geopolitical divisions grow. We need global solidarity to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals – and reform an outdated, dysfunctional and unfair global financial system," he said.

Stressing on rallying together to address the climate crisis, he said, "As I witnessed during my recent visit to Nepal, countries on the frontline of climate change require far greater support. My Climate Solidarity Pact urges big emitters to make extra efforts to cut emissions and wealthier countries to support emerging economies to do so."

He called for uniting within communities – with a renewed social contract, based on trust, justice and inclusion, and anchored in human rights. "Women, youth, and marginalized people must have a seat at the decision-making table. A world of peace, dignity and sustainability is not only possible, it is necessary. Let us build it together."

Pediatric oncologist Krishna Sagar Poudel of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan has shared that of the total cases, more than 50 percent children with cancer disease are still out of hospital's access.

"More than 1,500 children in the country are estimated to have been diagnosed with cancer every year. But, only 50 percent of the estimates visit the hospitals. And, some 400 children with cancer visit the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital," he stated.

Dr Poudel said so at a program organized at the hospital on Thursday to distribute stationeries to the children with cancer.

On the occasion, he stated that 60 percent of the childhood cancer cases visiting the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital for treatment are cured.

He added that only 30 percent of the childhood cancer is cured in Nepal but it could be increased up to 80 percent given that the number of beds in the hospitals are increased and accessible treatment services are expanded.

The event was also organized to raise the parents on the occasion of the International Childhood Cancer Day.

The WHO has also enlisted Nepal in its focus in the global campaign against childhood cancer.

In Nepal, the government has ensured several services for free for the treatment of childhood cancer.

The macroeconomic report for the first half of the current fiscal year and the mid-term review of the monetary policy for fiscal year 2023-24, recently released by the Nepal Rastra Bank, shows positive developments in the external sector of the economy. The economy has experienced strong performance in sectors such as mining, construction, tourism and financial services. The resurgence of tourism after Covid has been remarkable, with a substantial increase in tourist arrivals contributing to economic activities and income generation. Infrastructure development, particularly in the energy sector, is expected to enhance production potential. Foreign exchange reserves have reached an impressive Rs 1,816.57bn by mid-January. This achievement is primarily fueled by a notable 25.3 percent increase in remittances amounting to Rs 733.33bn, which undoubtedly paints a positive picture of Nepal's external sector.

Prudent policy adjustments such as maintaining interest rate stability and implementing targeted measures like lowering interest rates for institutional fixed deposits in the mid-term review of monetary policy demonstrate a proactive approach to mitigating risks and stimulating economic activity. The Nepal Rastra Bank's decision to maintain the interest rate corridor while implementing measures to enhance its effectiveness shows its commitment to balanced monetary policies. Moreover, the focus on supporting agriculture and small to medium enterprises through regulatory retail portfolio arrangements reflects a dedication to growth and economic resilience.

While a healthy foreign exchange reserve is essential for economic stability, it is not a solution to all of our economic problems. The decline in exports, slow import growth, manufacturing slowdown, low demand for bank loans from the private sector and the lack of investment despite favorable conditions highlight the underlying issues plaguing our economy. The government has been consistently missing revenue targets. It is crucial to accurately assess economic indicators and devise appropriate policies. Worryingly, both the government and the central bank seem to be falling short in this regard. It is high time for the government and the central bank to shift their focus from highlighting nominal successes to implementing meaningful changes.

The CPN-UML has summoned the meeting of its Central Committee for February 20.

A Secretariat meeting of the party held at the party office on Thursday decided to hold its Central Committee meeting from January 20-22.

Party General Secretary Shankar Pokharel summoned the party Central Committee meeting at the party office in Chyasal.

Pokharel said that the agendas of the Central Committee meeting were also discussed in the Secretariat meeting.

According to him, the current political situation and strengthening of the organization will be discussed in the Central Committee meeting.

He said that a broader discussion will also be held on mission grassroot and postal highway-centered campaigns.

Similarly, a decision was also made to establish its own party office.

General Secretary Pokharel said that a decision was made to conduct a campaign to collect Rs 100 from all the leaders and cadres for the same.

The CPN (Maoist Center) has decided not to change its name immediately.

The statute convention has also decided not to change its election symbol.

During a group discussion, there was a suggestion to change the party name and election symbol.

Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that a decision to change the party name and election symbol will be made at a specific time.

He was of the opinion that the party name can be changed in case of unity among many communist parties.

Party spokesperson Agni Sapkota also said that the party name and election symbol can be changed as per the need.

Similarly, the Maoist Center has decided to elect 11 office bearers and 199 Central Committee members through a directly elected system.

Sapkota said that committees will be formed from higher level to lower level from now onwards.

He said that the statute convention has become a good base for the General Convention.

Spokesperson Sapkota said that preparations are underway to hold the General Convention within a year if the date is not announced.

Likewise, the Maoist has decided to form province level committees in India, mid-east and across the globe.

Sapkota said that the Moist will conduct a postal highway-centered campaign of Tarai along with a reform campaign.

Ram Kumar Subedi and Shovakanta Dhakal have been found guilty in the Lalita Niwas land grab case.

Saying that the duo played a role in transferring the land of Lalita Niwas in the name of private individuals, the Special Court found Subedi and Dhakal among others guilty.

The joint bench of Special Court members Dr Khusi Prasad Tharu, Ram Bahadur Thapa and Ritendra Thapa issued the guilty verdict for their involvement in transferring the land of Lalita Niwas in the name of certain individuals.