Ninth South and South-West Asia Subregional Forum on Sustainable Development “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for a sustainable future for all” 4 - 5 November 2025 Islamabad, Pakistan
Context and Background: The Ninth South and South-West Asia Subregional Forum on Sustainable Development will be held in Islamabad on 4 - 5 November 2025. It is co-organised by ESCAP, the Government of Pakistan, the UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute. The Forum serves as a subregional platform in South and South-West Asia (SSWA)[1] for multistakeholder dialogue and collaboration between the government, civil society, private sector, research and academic institutions, development partners and other concerned stakeholders on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides a unique opportunity to exchange information on SDGs’ implementation and take stock of good practices and lessons learnt to identify common priorities and challenges across the region. This year’s Forum focuses on SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). In preparation for the Forum, ESCAP’s SSWA office conducted a series of virtual multistakeholder consultation reviews of SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17. These virtual consultations were convened in September, in partnership with think tank institutions of the South and the South-West Asia Network on SDGs (SANS), UN agencies, and ESCAP divisions. Experts, policymakers and implementers participated from governments, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the private sector, academia and research institutions, as well as development partners from across the region. Building on these consultations, the Forum in Islamabad will deliberate on key strategic issues. Focus Areas of the Forum The Forum will open with a Strategic Dialogue that builds on the outcomes of the virtual multistakeholder consultations on SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17. This will be followed by three thematic sessions on: Financing the energy transition, Strategic Dialogue
After a decade of implementation and with less than five years left to the goalpost of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the urgency to accelerate progress on the SDGs has never been greater. However, the world today is faced with profound paradigm shifts that are disrupting economic systems, weakening rules- and rights-based institutions and challenging the foundations of development cooperation. As we take stock of SDGs’ implementation in South and South-West Asia as appraised through the virtual consultations on SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17, this strategic dialogue will examine the implications of these global shifts for countries in the subregion and how governments and stakeholders can navigate the risks and challenges to SDG implementation. Thematic Sessions
Achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) in the SSWA subregion requires massive investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and universal access. However, financing remains one of the most significant bottlenecks. Countries in the subregion face challenges in mobilising affordable capital due to high perceived risks, policy uncertainties, and weak regulatory frameworks that discourage private sector participation. Many governments rely heavily on public funding and concessional loans, which are insufficient to meet the scale of investment needed. Commercial banks are often reluctant to lend to renewable projects because of limited experience, long payback periods, and the absence of risk mitigation instruments. Cross-border projects, such as regional grids, also struggle with financing due to complex coordination and lack of harmonised policies. At the same time, international climate finance flows are uneven, with smaller economies like Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal finding it harder to attract global investors. Innovative financing mechanisms such as blended finance, green bonds, and public-private partnerships are underutilised in the subregion. With the objective of identifying practical solutions to bridge the financing gap and accelerate the region’s transition to sustainable energy, the Forum will explore issues such as: how to reduce the cost of capital for renewable energy projects; the role of multilateral development banks and climate funds in de-risking investments; strategies to mobilise private and institutional investors; harmonising regional policies for cross-border clean energy infrastructure; and the need for capacity building in project preparation and financial structuring.
Progress in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) in SSWA is hampered by rapid urbanisation, unplanned growth, and inadequate infrastructure. Cities struggle with traffic congestion, pollution, and limited public transport, while affordable housing shortages push many into informal settlements lacking water, sanitation, and services. Climate risks such as floods and heatwaves add further stress, yet resilience planning and disaster preparedness are underfunded. Weak governance, fragmented planning, and limited municipal finances restrict effective action, as most cities lack fiscal autonomy and creditworthiness to access private or global funds. The Forum will discuss SSWA priorities in this regard such as building resilient and inclusive infrastructure, strengthening municipal financing, promoting PPPs, scaling affordable housing, expanding sustainable mobility, and enhancing regional cooperation on urban development.
Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) have become a tool for SDG consultations and stocktaking in several countries in South and South-West Asia, a number of them having conducted multiple rounds. Some cities have localised VNRs in the form of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). The session will foster cross-country exchange of experiences and innovative applications that have been effective in strengthening stakeholder engagement, policy review, monitoring and reporting, and acceleration of progress on SDG implementation. Convening Partners and Participating Stakeholders This year’s Forum will be held alongside the 28th Sustainable Development Conference (SDC), the 16th South Asia Economic Summit (SAES), and the 3rd Sustainability Investment Expo (SIE), led by SDPI. This will enable cross-participation and cross-fertilisation of knowledge and ideas among a wider group of diverse participants brought together by the partner organisations. Voices of diverse stakeholders from South and South-West Asia will be channelled into the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), to be held in Bangkok from 24 to 27 February 2026. Reflections and recommendations from the APFSD will subsequently inform the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York in July 2026. Participation will include government officials engaged in various aspects of implementing and monitoring the SDGs; representatives of civil society organisations active in SDGs advocacy and implementation, including those representing or working with marginalised and vulnerable groups; representatives of the private sector; experts from think tanks and academia; representatives of UN and international, regional, and subregional organisations; and other stakeholders involved in SDGs implementation at national, local, subregional, and regional levels.
Note: Detailed agenda will be uploaded closer to the Conference. |
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