BANGKOK, FEBRUARY 25 Leaders and development stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region have called for accelerated action on water security, energy access, sustainable cities and development partnerships as the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaches. The message came at the opening of the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. Addressing the gathering, ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana warned that weakening multilateralism could undermine global partnerships, technology transfers and financing critical for sustainable development. She said Asia and the Pacific, now a stronghold for technology and finance, holds significant implementation capacity and must strengthen regional cooperation to respond to evolving global challenges. Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, stressed the importance of the Pact for the Future in reinforcing multilateral commitments. He said collective regional action on climate resilience, trade, connectivity and social protection enhances global stability and accountability. Tonga's Minister of Internal Affairs, Fane Fotu Fituafe, was elected Chair of the four-day forum. She underscored the platform's role in reviewing regional progress and promoting coordinated, innovative and equitable solutions. Participants noted that development progress remains uneven. While access to drinking water and sanitation has improved, safely managed services remain limited in poorer and climate-vulnerable countries. Increasing droughts, floods and saltwater intrusion are worsening water insecurity, particularly in landlocked and small island developing states. Electricity access is nearly universal across the region, but reliability and affordability remain concerns in remote rural and island communities. Similarly, rapid digital expansion has not ensured inclusive access, with persistent gaps in digital skills, affordability and accessibility. Speakers highlighted the need for strong political leadership, improved data-driven policymaking and closer collaboration with businesses and civil society. Representatives from civil society and youth groups called for development strategies rooted in human rights, justice and inclusive participation. On the sidelines of the forum, ESCAP, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme, launched the 2026 Asia-Pacific SDG Partnership Report titled Inclusive Urban Futures: From Inequality to Opportunity. The report warns that urban inequality is rising across the region, with 697 million people living in slums, more than 65 percent of urban workers engaged in informal employment and 2.3 billion people exposed to unsafe air. It calls for urgent, people-centred solutions to promote inclusive urban growth, expand decent work and improve climate resilience and environmental management.