SDG progress in the Asia-Pacific: Insights, obstacles, and opportunities

The Asia-Pacific region, encompassing a diverse range of countries with varying levels of economic development, has shown a mixed response towards addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Accounting for more than half of the world’s population, progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for SDGs remains inconsistent and inadequate. On its current trajectory, progress towards many of the 17 SDGs is alarmingly slow, with nearly half showing minimal progress and over one-third completely stalled.

Estimates suggest that the prevailing SDGs will not be attained before 2062, at least 32 years behind schedule. As of 2023, the average progress towards achieving all 17 SDGs showed a slight rise from 4.4 percent in 2017 to 17 percent in 2023. Since 2015, the most substantial progress in this region has been in mitigating poverty (SDG 1) and bolstering sustainable industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9). However, the pace remains insufficient to meet the 2030 deadline.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Asia-Pacific region are among the most affected by the challenges of achieving the SDGs due to their unique vulnerabilities.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Asia-Pacific region are among the most affected by the challenges of achieving the SDGs due to their unique vulnerabilities. For instance, Maldives, Fiji, and Tuvalu face significant obstacles such as high susceptibility to climate change, limited natural resources, economic dependency on a narrow range of industries (particularly tourism), and geographic isolation. Despite some countries like Samoa showing resilience through diversified economies and robust local agriculture, the overall pace of progress for SIDS remains insufficient, with an average SDG progress rate of just 5.9 percent since 2015. This starkly contrasts with landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) in the region, which have managed a relative progress of 13 percent.

Struggles of the Global South

Although the pandemic has compounded the economic woes of meeting the SDG Agenda 2030 for the entire world, the Global South, including developing and emerging countries in the Asia-Pacific, faces the maximum brunt. Despite sustained growth in several regions of the Global South, vivid challenges prevail in internal inequities, political instability, and dependence on supply chains from the Global North. According to the World Bank, high interest rates raise the cost of debt burden, compromising investments in education, health, and infrastructure, thereby negatively affecting social progress in the developing world. Moreover, the energy transition is also at risk due to a shortage of resources, threatening climate objectives. It is estimated that developing countries face an annual deficit of US$ 1.7 trillion in SDG financing, while more than US$ 4 trillion accounts for the annual gap in closing the SDGs for the world.

Despite sustained growth in several regions of the Global South, vivid challenges prevail in internal inequities, political instability, and dependence on supply chains from the Global North.

In addition to these challenges, the unavailability of data remains a significant impediment to implementing the 2030 Agenda, especially for the Global South. According to ESCAP member states, on average, only 52 percent of the indicators have two or more data points, while more than a third of the indicators lack data altogether. Despite a positive trend showing increasing data availability, the rate of advancement has decelerated. It can be observed that goals such as good health and well-being (Goal 3), affordable and clean energy (Goal 7), and life on land (Goal 15) recorded higher data availability with coverage reaching more than 70 percent of SDG indicators. In contrast, gender equality (Goal 5) and peace, justice, and strong institutions (Goal 16) continue to have the least available data, prioritising the need for improved national and global coordination for data sharing and usage to achieve the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific region.

Figure 1: Disparate Data Availability in the Asia-Pacific Region

Source: Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2024, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

India and regional development

With its strategic geographic positioning, growing economy, and strong evolving foreign policy, India has emerged as a critical player for sustainable development in this dynamic landscape. The country has made significant progress in achieving the SDGs, particularly in eliminating poverty, providing decent work, promoting economic growth, climate action, and life on land. Targeted government interventions such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala, Swachh Bharat, Jan Dhan, Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, Ayushman Arogya Mandir, PM-Mudra Yojana, Saubhagya, and Start-up India have led to rapid improvements.

Table 1: Backdated SDG Indicators’ Index Scores

Year	India		World
	SDG Score	Percentage Change	SDG Score	Percentage Change
2000	52.19		57.77
2001	52.41	0.43	58.04	0.47
2002	52.27	-0.26	58.25	0.36
2003	52.67	0.75	58.47	0.38
2004	52.66	-0.01	58.75	0.47
2005	53.12	0.88	59.20	0.77
2006	53.43	0.59	59.49	0.49
2007	53.88	0.83	59.95	0.78
2008	53.97	0.17	60.20	0.42
2009	53.77	-0.37	60.55	0.57
2010	54.81	1.94	61.12	0.95
2011	55.78	1.77	61.54	0.68
2012	56.26	0.86	61.96	0.69
2013	56.63	0.65	62.35	0.63
2014	57.87	2.19	63.14	1.27
2015	58.45	0.99	63.51	0.57
2016	58.89	0.76	63.82	0.49
2017	59.80	1.54	64.35	0.83
2018	60.53	1.23	64.77	0.66
2019	61.57	1.72	65.30	0.81
2020	62.28	1.15	65.69	0.60
2021	62.86	0.93	65.87	0.26
2022	63.57	1.13	66.15	0.44
2023	63.99	0.65	66.30	0.22
Average	56.82	23 percent increase from 2000 to 2023	61.94	15 percent increase from 2000 to 2023

Source: Sustainable Development Report 2024, Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

Diplomatically, India has sought engagements with regional forums such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), amongst others, to reflect a comprehensive approach to regional challenges. India has also pursued bilateral and multilateral trade agreements to strengthen economic integration and development cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region. While enhancing domestic capabilities through shared information technology and digital solutions stands out as a priority for India, the country’s sustained maritime involvement in the Indian Ocean will be crucial to tackling environmental concerns related to sustainability and the blue economy.

Finally, while certain countries in the Asia-Pacific have demonstrated a commitment to achieving the targets, their progress underscores the importance of improved data quality and enhanced data management capacity to optimise policy executions. This complex landscape necessitates sequencing specific goals that correspond with each country’s specific situations and implementing a multifaceted approach where emphasising tailored strategies, cross-border collaboration, and technological innovation becomes essential.

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Soumya Bhowmick is an Associate Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation

Tanisha Paul is a Research Intern at the Observer Research Foundation

• Sustainable Development
• India
• The Pacific, East and Southeast Asia
• India policies for sustainable development
• sdg agenda 2030
• small island developing states
• small island developing states asia pacific
• sustainable development goals for asia pacific region

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