In the Asia-Pacific region, UNESCO has proposed to hold a regional ESD meeting in June 2023, which will represent an opportunity to support countries in the region in formulating and implementing their Country Initiatives to mainstream ESD in education and development. 

A series of four preparatory, sub-regional online meetings will be carried out from March through April according to the following regional categories: (1) Central Asia; (2) East Asia and South-East Asia; (3) South and West Asia; and (4) Pacific. The sub-regional online meetings seek to take into consideration each sub-region’s on-the-ground reality, by identify specific challenges and highlighting a contextualized approach which will inform the regional meeting. In addition, these sub-regional consultations will build on local wisdom and contribute to the realization of the overall goal of accelerating regional progress towards SDG 4 and ESD in general.

The sub-regional meeting for South and West Asia will be held on March 1. Participation is by invitation only.

Objectives of sub-regional online meetings

• Promote the awareness of ESD among key education stakeholders and ensure a consistent understanding towards crucial concepts, including ESD for 2030 Framework, ESD-Net and ESD Country Initiatives  

• Provide a mutual learning and capacity-building opportunity for Member States in the planning and implementation of Country Initiatives, especially for countries that have only just initiated or have not yet formulated their country initiative plans

• Strengthen collaboration and partnership at the national and sub-regional levels through the participation of key implementing partners to tackle and overcome common sub-regional challenges in the implementation of ESD