Press Release
February 17, 2026
- Global Environment
Announcement of Event: “Synergistic Practices to Addressing Environmental Challenges and Achieving the SDGs” to Be Held at the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD)
1. The Ministry of the Environment of Japan, together with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), will hold an event from 3pm (JST) on February 23, 2026, at the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in Bangkok, Thailand, with the title: “Synergistic Practices to Addressing Environmental Challenges and Achieving the SDGs.”
2. This event will draw on the “Asia-Pacific Synergy Report” which is currently being developed as a new regional initiative to advance policies that leverage synergies and contribute to progress on the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific region. Participants will share and discuss case studies, success factors, solutions to challenges, and recommendations.
2. This event will draw on the “Asia-Pacific Synergy Report” which is currently being developed as a new regional initiative to advance policies that leverage synergies and contribute to progress on the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific region. Participants will share and discuss case studies, success factors, solutions to challenges, and recommendations.
■ Background
The Asia-Pacific region is home to over 60% of the world's population and faces a critical juncture in achieving sustainable development, with none of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on track for achievement and environment-related goals lagging the most. Maximizing synergies between actions is therefore essential.
Against this backdrop, development of the “Asia-Pacific Synergy Report” began in February last year at a side event of the APFSD. The report compiles case studies and strategic guidance from the Asia-Pacific region with the aim of supporting governments and relevant organizations in the region to effectively implement policies which leverage synergies and measures with synergistic approaches.
This side event will feature sharing and discussions with a broad array of stakeholders regarding the report currently being developed, on case studies, success factors, solutions to challenges, and recommendations.
Against this backdrop, development of the “Asia-Pacific Synergy Report” began in February last year at a side event of the APFSD. The report compiles case studies and strategic guidance from the Asia-Pacific region with the aim of supporting governments and relevant organizations in the region to effectively implement policies which leverage synergies and measures with synergistic approaches.
This side event will feature sharing and discussions with a broad array of stakeholders regarding the report currently being developed, on case studies, success factors, solutions to challenges, and recommendations.
■ Event plan (programme subject to change)
・ Title: Synergistic Practices to Addressing Environmental Challenges and Achieving the SDGs
・ Date: February 23, 2026, 1-5pm (3-7pm JST)
・ Format: In-person and online
・ Venue: United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok, Thailand
・ Organizers: Ministry of the Environment of Japan, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Asian Development
Bank (ADB), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES）
・ Outline of programme schedule (please see the APFSD link below for details）
(1) Welcome Remarks
・ Date: February 23, 2026, 1-5pm (3-7pm JST)
・ Format: In-person and online
・ Venue: United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok, Thailand
・ Organizers: Ministry of the Environment of Japan, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Asian Development
Bank (ADB), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES）
・ Outline of programme schedule (please see the APFSD link below for details）
(1) Welcome Remarks
(2) Session 1 (panel discussion）： Synergistic approaches in Asia and the Pacific
This session will share perspectives from various stakeholders on synergistic approaches that contribute to addressing global challenges and
achieving the SDGs.
achieving the SDGs.
(3) Session 2 (panel discussion）： Synergistic case studies and policy recommendations from the Asia-Pacific
Focusing on the intersections between challenges such as climate and health, biodiversity and nature positive, pollution and circular economy, this
session will highlight practical efforts of synergistic approaches at various levels — local, national, and the Asia-Pacific region. It will also discuss
means to promote synergistic solutions, including finance, data and tools, and governance. Furthermore, through discussions by experts and
interaction with the audience, it will aim to shape policy recommendations for governments and relevant support organizations at the local,
national, and Asia-Pacific regional levels.
session will highlight practical efforts of synergistic approaches at various levels — local, national, and the Asia-Pacific region. It will also discuss
means to promote synergistic solutions, including finance, data and tools, and governance. Furthermore, through discussions by experts and
interaction with the audience, it will aim to shape policy recommendations for governments and relevant support organizations at the local,
national, and Asia-Pacific regional levels.
(4) Closing remarks
DOI Kentaro, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment of Japan
Programme details：APFSD13: Associated Events and Exhibition - The SDGs in Action | ESCAP
(Clicking on the “PROGRAMME” tab in the link and then on “23 Feb 2026” displays the events for this day. Please see “Synergistic Practices to
Addressing Environmental Challenges and Achieving the SDGs” from 13:00 to 17:00）
Programme details：APFSD13: Associated Events and Exhibition - The SDGs in Action | ESCAP
(Clicking on the “PROGRAMME” tab in the link and then on “23 Feb 2026” displays the events for this day. Please see “Synergistic Practices to
Addressing Environmental Challenges and Achieving the SDGs” from 13:00 to 17:00）
■ Participants
Experts from countries in the Asia-Pacific, personnel from international organizations, etc.
■ Online registration
Please register at the following link to participate online.
https://iges-jp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M35ZKTUHQp6lgaDKa38l8A
https://iges-jp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M35ZKTUHQp6lgaDKa38l8A
(Reference)
The Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) is a ministerial-level intergovernmental forum for the Asia-Pacific region, held annually by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). In addition to member states, international organizations, businesses and so on participate as observers, following up and reviewing implementation of the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific region.