The SDGs, adopted by world leaders in 2015, signaled a historic achievement: a shared commitment by all 193 UN member states to end poverty, while protecting the planet, by 2030.
SDG Progress in Asia and the Pacific
To date, progress achieved across Asia and the Pacific falls short of the halfway mark, and progress has varied for each of the goals and within developing member countries. Some progress has been made towards all SDGs except two, where reversals have taken place:
SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 14 (life below water).
SDG Progress in ADB's Developing Member Countries
Note: Data availability varies across countries and is still lacking for many SDG indicators. However, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) estimates that the number of indicators with sufficient data has doubled, from 63 in 2017 to 128 in 2022. “Insufficient indicators” means that there are too few indicators with sufficient data to ensure the robustness of the progress shown.
Source: ESCAP
Progress by SDG Cluster
People
Regional Progress
Despite significant efforts to enhance food security in recent years, around 396 million people remain undernourished, and over a billion people were still affected by food insecurity in 2021. Similarly, Asia and the Pacific has witnessed a profound transformation in terms of various health outcomes. However, in many countries, inequality, discrimination, and gender norms remain barriers to universal access to health care. Significant progress has also been made to improve the accessibility of education, but works remains to be done to increase the quality at all levels. Gender disparities persist, particularly when it comes to women’s economic opportunities and influence in society. Over the next 3 decades, the region is expected to continue to urbanize, with the urban population projected to rise to 68% by 2050.
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Regional Progress
Despite significant efforts to enhance food security in recent years, around 396 million people remain undernourished, and over a billion people were still affected by food insecurity in 2021. Similarly, Asia and the Pacific have witnessed a profound transformation in terms of various health outcomes. However, in many countries, inequality, discrimination, and gender norms remain barriers to universal access to health care. Significant progress has also been made to improve the accessibility of education but works remains to increase the quality at all levels. Gender disparities persist, particularly when it comes to women’s economic opportunities and influence in society. Over the next three decades, the region is expected to continue to urbanize, with the urban population projected to rise to 68% by 2050.
Planet
Regional Progress
The region’s emissions have seen a worrying rise in the past decade. In 2023 alone, over 100 disasters occurred, affected over 47 million people, and caused billions of economic losses. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic worsened the plastic pollution of rivers and oceans. Overfishing is also a major issue and has caused fish stocks to wither, placing livelihoods at risk. Preserving biodiversity is another major challenge, and the percentage of key protected biodiversity areas remains low.
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Regional Progress
The region’s emissions have seen a worrying rise in the past decade. In 2023 alone, over 100 natural hazards occurred, affected over 47 million people, and caused billions of economic losses. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the plastic pollution of rivers and oceans. Overfishing is also a major issue and has caused fish stocks to wither, placing livelihoods at risk. Preserving biodiversity is another major challenge, and the percentage of key biodiversity areas protected remains low.
Prosperity
Regional Progress
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed about 78 million people in Asia and the Pacific back into extreme poverty and created around 162 million newly poor people. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis is stalling progress. Despite economic and social advances, critical gaps in social protection coverage persist. The post-pandemic rebound in the labor market in the region has been tepid. Nearly a quarter of businesses in the region are estimated to have engaged in bribery. Policy to promote private sector development needs to be enhanced.
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Regional Progress
The pandemic pushed about 78 million people in Asia back into extreme poverty and created around 162 million newly poor people. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis is stalling progress. Despite economic and social advances, critical gaps in social protection coverage persist. The post-pandemic rebound in the labor market in the region is also lagging. Nearly one-fourth of businesses in the region have engaged in bribery. Policy to promote private sector development needs to be enhanced.
Sustainable Infrastructure
Regional Progress
Critical issues remain with basic infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific. Nearly 500 million people lack access to water supply systems, and 1.14 billion people live without basic sanitation facilities. Over 350 million people have limited access to electricity, and an additional 150 million have no access at all. Crucially, around 85% of the energy consumed in Asia and the Pacific comes from fossil fuels. As economic development and urbanization progress, the region’s demand for energy is expected to almost double by 2030.
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Regional Progress
Critical issues remain with basic infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific. Nearly 500 million people lack access to water supply systems, and 1.14 billion people live without basic sanitation facilities. Over 350 million people have limited access to electricity, and an additional 150 million have no access at all. Crucially, around 85% of the energy consumed in the Asia Pacific comes from fossil fuels. As economic development and urbanization progress, the region’s demand for energy is expected to almost double by 2030.
Status of SDG Implementation
in Asia and the Pacific
Since 2015, most countries in Asia and the Pacific have taken steps to implement Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, creating an institutional architecture for SDG implementation, aligning national development plans and policies, and establishing financing mechanisms. Additionally, some countries have taken measures to implement the SDGs at the subnational level, where there are added challenges because local governments often lack the expertise and resources.
Progress is reviewed globally through the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) where countries present Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) of their progress in implementing the SDGs.
of 41
DMCs
conducted Voluntary National Reviews (VNR)
of 41
DMCs
conducted Voluntary National Reviews at least twice
of 41
DMCs
have SDG-related decrees or laws
of 41
DMCs
have SDG coordination mechanism
of 41
DMCs
are integrating SDG targets and indicators in development plans
DMC = developing member country.
Country Spotlights
Sri Lanka
SDG Progress
Source: ESCAP
SDG Implementation
Sri Lanka has taken proactive steps to implement the SDGs. The Sustainable Development Act of 2017 provided a legal framework and created the Sustainable Development Council to coordinate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. A high-level interministerial Steering Committee on Sustainable Development was established in 2021 to oversee and step up interagency coordination for the SDGs.
The Government of Sri Lanka produced the Voluntary National Reviews assessing national progress on the SDGs in 2018 and again in 2022.
ADB’s Support
ADB’s support of the government’s reforms and efforts to strengthen institutions has been critical for maintaining progress toward the SDGs. The key strategic objectives of the new country partnership strategy for 2024–2028 are strengthening public financial management and governance, fostering private sector development promoting green growth, improving access to climate-smart public services, and deepening social and economic inclusion.
Examples of ADB-supported initiatives:
Economic Stabilization Program
In 2023, ADB extended a $350 million special policy-based loan as part of a comprehensive reform program to restore macroeconomic and financial stability and undertake structural transformation.
Food Security and Livelihood Recovery Emergency Assistance Project
The project aims to ensure access to food and protect the livelihoods of poor and vulnerable people, particularly women and children, enhancing social protection systems and strengthening responsiveness to future emergencies.
Wind Power Generation Project
The project is working to increase access to clean and reliable power supply by 2025, reducing Sri Lanka's reliance on oil-fired power plants.
Highlighted results from completed operations (2016–2023)
1.5 million
people
benefiting from improved health services, education services, or social protection
658,000
tCO2e
greenhouse gas emissions reduction
1.3 million
people
benefiting from increased rural investment
846,000
people
enrolled in improved education and/or training
Source: ADB’s Development Effectiveness Review
Mongolia
SDG Progress
Source: ESCAP
SDG Implementation
Mongolia has reached some impressive milestones in its SDG implementation. It was one of the first countries in the world to adopt an SDG alignment strategy in 2016. In addition, the country endorsed the draft of the Integrated National Financing Strategy (INFS) in 2022, making it one of the early adopters of the INFS, a key vehicle for mobilizing, aligning, and leveraging resources for the SDGs.
Mongolia presented its first Voluntary National Review (VNR) assessing progress toward the SDGs in 2019, and the second VNR in 2023.
ADB’s Support
ADB’s country partnership strategy 2021-2024 for Mongolia has three strategic priorities: fostering inclusive social development and economic opportunity; climate-resilient infrastructure to drive competitiveness and diversification; and resilience for sustainable, green, and climate-conscious development.
Examples of ADB-supported initiatives:
Regional TA: Advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
ADB is supporting Mongolia, in collaboration with UNDP, to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for its financing strategy for the medium-term development plan, Nationally Determined Contributions, and the SDGs. It is also supporting a pilot of the SDGs taxonomy in the financial sector.
Aimags and Soums Green Regional Development Investment Program
Climate change has reduced the health and productivity of Mongolia’s fragile rangelands. In 2023, the Government of Mongolia and ADB initiated the program with an ADB loan of $448 million to support green and inclusive development at the subnational level.
Tavan Bogd COVID-19 Food Security and Inclusive Job Creation Project
In 2022, following a $15 million loan from 2020, ADB provided an $18 million loan for Ulaanbaatar Flour and Tavan Bogd Foods to sustain their operations during the pandemic. The project contributed to ensuring a stable supply of wheat flour, the main staple in the country.
Highlighted results from completed operations (2016–2023)
5.4 million
people
benefiting from improved health services, education services, or social protection
778,000
women and girls
with increased resilience to climate change, disasters, and other external shocks
4.4 million
people
benefiting from strengthened environmental sustainability
668,000
people
benefiting from improved services in urban areas
Source: ADB’s Development Effectiveness Review
Pacific Countries
SDG Progress
Source: ESCAP
SDG Implementation
The Pacific Island Forum Leaders committed to the implementation of the SDGs in 2015, while calling for the Goals to be adapted to the unique conditions of the Pacific. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) is the key institution facilitating regional coordination and exchange of good practices between countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
The 13 Pacific Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) since 2016 shown that while systems, policies, and processes are largely in place in most countries, there is a need to enhance national planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and reporting systems.
ADB’s Support
The Pacific Approach 2021–2025 serves as ADB’s partnership strategy for the 12 Pacific developing member countries (the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu). It focuses on three priorities: preparing for and responding to shocks, delivering sustainable services, and supporting inclusive growth. Papua New Guinea and Fiji have their own country partnership strategy.
Examples of ADB-supported initiatives:
Pacific Disaster Resilience Program
The program provided $54 million in grant financing to help Pacific developing member countries overcome multiple crises. The grants included $10 million to support Tonga’s early relief and recovery from the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2023.
Policy-Based Loans
A series of policy-based loans aim to enhance public financial management, expand private sector investment, and strengthen financial inclusion, as well as reinvigorating tourism, boosting agriculture, and enhancing business and trade.
Power Sector Development Project
ADB committed $208.6 million in loans to expand and enhance power services in Papua New Guinea. The project, approved in 2022, aims to provide access to 56,000 new beneficiaries.
Highlighted results from completed operations (2016–2023)
970,000
people
benefiting from improved health services, education services, or social protection
519,000
people
benefiting from improved services in urban areas
$12
million
additional climate finance mobilized
Source: ADB’s Development Effectiveness Review
Timor-Leste
SDG Progress
Source: ESCAP
SDG Implementation
Following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, the Government of Timor-Leste, in 2015, established a working group on SDG implementation headed by the Prime Minister’s Office. The national SDGs Roadmap, published in 2017, set out how the Goals align with Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan (SDP 2011-2030).
Timor-Leste prepared its first Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) in 2019, and produced the second VNR in 2023.
ADB’s Support
ADB’s country partnership strategy (2023–2027) for Timor-Leste aims to support the country’s economic recovery, by building climate-resilient infrastructure and basic services and promoting an enabling environment for economic diversification.
Examples of ADB-supported initiatives:
Dili West Water Supply Project
Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 identifies access to safe water as a reform critical for the country’s development. In 2022, ADB provided $127 million in loans to improve access to safe and reliable water in the capital Dili, with the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure.
Power Distribution Modernization Project
To address SDG 7, ADB has been engaged in strengthening the state-owned utility company's ability to manage the electricity grid, mitigating climate change challenges and boosting women employment in the energy sector.
Support for Achieving the Strategic Development Plan
The technical assistance program for 2011-2030 aimed to help the government strengthen development planning and improve the linkages between planning and budgeting.
Highlighted results from completed operations (2022)
9,000
women and girls
benefiting from new or improved infrastructure
18,000
people
benefiting from improved services in urban areas
Source: ADB’s Development Effectiveness Review
Tajikistan
SDG Progress
Source: ESCAP
SDG Implementation
The Tajikistan National Development Strategy (NDS) 2030 was launched in 2016. Since then, several SDG targets and indicators have been incorporated into national strategies, but gaps remain. In 2017, the government formulated a national road map for financing the NDS and the SDGs to better understand the gaps and necessary steps to increase financing for development.
Tajikistan published its first Voluntary National Review (VNR) in 2017 and the second VNR in 2023.
ADB’s Support
ADB’s country partnership strategy (2021–2025) for Tajikistan seeks to boost the quality of economic growth by prioritizing three areas: supporting structural reforms to enhance the efficiency of resource allocation and mobilization, improving labor productivity, and fostering better livelihoods.
Examples of ADB-supported initiatives:
Dushanbe Water Supply and Sanitation Project
ADB approved a grant of $41.8 million in 2018 and additional financing of $38 million in 2022 to support the building of climate-resilient water supply and sanitation infrastructure in the capital Dushanbe.
Building Resilience with Active Countercyclical Expenditures Program
ADB approved the project in 2022 to help the government expand social assistance for poor and vulnerable people, support domestic food production, safeguard small businesses, and support the jobs of returning migrants.
Power Sector Development Program
In 2020, ADB approved a $105 million grant to drive the restructuring of existing power utilities, create a new power sector regulator, adopt a tariff methodology, and set up a centralized cash control system.
Highlighted results from completed operations (2016–2023)
2.7
million
people benefiting from improved health services, education services, or social protection
999,000
women and girls
with increased resilience to climate change, disasters, and other external shocks
Source: ADB’s Development Effectiveness Review
