NEDA identifies regional priorities for achieving sustainable dev’t goals in Southeast Asia

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) emphasized strategies to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthen partnerships, and engage in collaborative efforts to improve Southeast Asia’s quality of life.

In a statement presented by NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan during the 2nd ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue on Accelerating Actions to Achieve the SDGs, he proposed a set of measures for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to attain the SDGs. The first step, according to Balisacan, is to establish robust and resilient ecosystems for R&D and innovation.

“It is pivotal to foster resilient communities by supporting R&D and innovation for a healthy, inclusive, sustainable region. Collaborating to rethink and redesign existing systems, institutions, and communities, with health and well-being at their core, is a necessity,” he stated.

Balisacan emphasized the importance of persistent implementation of the ASEAN Vision 2025 on Disaster Management. He further suggested the member states adopt a whole-of-ASEAN anticipatory approach to enhance disaster resilience and promote regional prosperity.

“We must prioritize efforts to develop a comprehensive disaster communications master plan. Complementary to this must be our continued strengthening and exploring partnerships with the private sector, local communities, civil society organizations, and regional networks,” he emphasizes.

Balisacan underscored the significance of advancing multi-sectoral collaborations. ASEAN countries ought to prioritize the development of partnerships that go beyond individual industries and sectors. We can achieve this by engaging diverse stakeholders and implementing mechanisms that enable efficient communication, coordination, and collaboration.

The country’s chief economist also stressed the critical role of monitoring, reporting, and evaluating SDG efforts. The ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue plays an active role in collaborating with its member states’ relevant national statistical agencies to enhance the collection and reporting of data on the progress of SDGs.

Furthermore, Balisacan emphasized the significance of regional collaboration within the ASEAN and proposed the establishment of multiple intergovernmental entities to strengthen the dedication towards achieving the SDGs. He further recommends that national development planning agencies, such as NEDA, should function as an information and monitoring’ clearing house’ or hub for SDGs.

As the country’s socioeconomic planning agency, NEDA leads the formulation of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. This plan is a comprehensive guide for the country to attain significant social and economic progress measured through indicators aligned with the SDGs. Chapter 16 of the Plan provides the strategy for implementing, monitoring and evaluating the measures outlined in the PDP.