The Asia-Pacific region has made extraordinary progress in recent decades, emerging as a pacesetter of global economic growth that has lifted millions of people out of poverty. But the COVID-19 pandemic has delivered an unprecedented shock. Almost everyone has been affected, with millions of people being pushed back into poverty, losing their jobs or livelihoods, and a generation of children and young people missing precious years of education and training.
This study describes pathways to achieve more inclusive and sustainable post-pandemic recovery. It identifies elements for a common agenda for present and future generations centred on protecting people and the planet, leveraging digital opportunities, trading and investing more together, raising financial resources and managing debt.
It also underlines the need to listen and work with young people, placing women at the centre for crisis-prepared policy action and new people-centric partnerships, with the readiness of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to serve.