Bangkok, 8 November 2013: Representatives form more than 50 countries met yesterday and today in Bangkok to craft a regional roadmap that will set consumption and production in the Asia Pacific region on a more sustainable path.
Close to 100 governments, private sector, civil society and academia participated in the First Asian Meeting of 10-Year Framework for Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP), which looked at strategies and joint actions to advance sustainable consumption and production in the region.
With over half the world's population-increasing at a rate of 1.2 percent annually-and nearly 30 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Asia Pacific currently accounts for more than half of the world's total resource use. By 2030, the region's consumers will constitute the world's largest group of consumers, with spending predicted to reach USD $32 trillion.
The 10YFP is a global framework of action that was adopted at Rio+20 to enhance international cooperation and fast-forward sustainable consumption and production patterns in developed and developing countries. The framework supports capacity building and facilitates access to technical and financial assistance for developing countries to make this shift; while encouraging innovation and cooperation among all stakeholders.
The Regional Meeting on the 10YFP was organized by the United Nations Environment Programme in conjunction with the government of Thailand, the 10YFP Board Representative Governments of the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Korea and with the financial support of the European Union. The meeting was preceded by the Regional SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component (PSC) networking event and Technical Advisory Committee Meeting. SWITCH-Asia PSC is supported by the European Commission.
Notes for Editors:
For the Global Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Clearinghouse click here: www.scpclearinghouse.org
For more information about the Rio+20 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption (10YFP) visit the online website: www.unep.org/10yfp
