The Annual SDG Review 2025, the fourth in the series, explores the state of financial inclusion in the Arab region through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the principles of the 2030 Agenda, which include leaving no one behind, gender equality and an all-of-society approach. The review focuses on three underserved segments – women, persons with disabilities and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises – while underscoring the importance of financial literacy and digital technologies as levers for financial inclusion. It combines statistical analysis with an examination of policy frameworks and the role of financial institutions. To identify policy trends, the review examines national financial inclusion strategies, central bank circulars, and other regulatory instruments adopted by States in the Arab region. It also examines reports from the largest banks in the region to illustrate trends in financial inclusion efforts.

This brief explores the occupations and skills likely to be needed for green jobs in Asia and the Pacific. It looks at how policymakers can help prepare workforces for the transition to a low-carbon economy.

India transforming to a net-zero emissions energy system. A call to action to 2030

As the Caribbean subregion seeks to implement strategies for meeting its obligations under the Paris Agreement, the sustainable development of its land transportation subsector has emerged as a significant challenge. This relates to both the need to reduce green house gas emissions, for which the subsector is a major emitter, as well as the necessity for reducing its overall dependence on imported fossil energy. While several policy initiatives have sought to address these issues, the evidence of growing land transportation problems now motivates a closer examination of challenges in the subsector. Among the main issues are increasing motor vehicle concentrations in small island spaces and growing traffic congestion arising from increased private motor vehicle ownership. All of these factors operate to produce economic, social and environmental burdens such as growing imports of vehicles, fuel and spare parts; increased motor vehicle accidents and mortality; and socially deviant behaviors such as road rage. Given the pivotal role of transportation in the advancement of economies and society, this paper suggests policy options for improving land transportation efficiency and sustainability in the Caribbean. This study also seeks to add to the very limited literature related to the issue of land transportation in Small Island Developing States.

The ESCWA Annual SDG Review 2023, the second in the series, explores the private sector's contributions to the realization of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in the Arab region. Building on limited available data on the subject, the report offers an indicative reading of existing regional trends and gaps. The analysis is guided not only by the Agenda’s goals and targets but also by the whole-of-society and rights-based approaches and the principles of universality, leaving no one behind, combating inequality and promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The present report provides information on the region’s progress in each of the 17 SDGs and their 169 target and related indicators, and highlights where the region now stands in relation to 2030, with a 2015 baseline. It stresses the importance of data availability and its impact on planning processes. It also presents key messages under each Goal.

The current economic and social challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean have highlighted both the region’s structural problems and the urgent need to find new drivers of economic growth. The old approaches to economic development will not enable Latin America and the Caribbean to overcome the present-day economic, health and climate crises. Governments must set bold goals and work with willing private sector partners to promote a truly sustainable and inclusive economy. By advancing mission-oriented industrial policies, countries can stimulate cooperation, diversify production, increase productivity and direct economic growth that is both sustainable and inclusive. There is a unique opportunity to shape economic development that maximizes public benefits through mission-driven innovation, better use of available tools, smart public-private partnerships and purpose-driven institutions, underpinned by a strong public service, results-based evaluation, inclusive stakeholder engagement and a commitment to a renewed social contract. The mission-driven industrial strategy is about imbuing governments and economies of the region with a new sense of purpose and ensuring that everyone in society benefits from the structural changes ahead.

Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is important in advancing sustainable development across the globe. One approach available to countries to promote their sustainable development agendas is the advancement of STI to support the adoption of renewable energy technologies. The continued reliance on fossil fuels in the Caribbean is one of the factors hindering the rate at which countries within the subregion are developing. Taking this into account, this study assesses whether the advancement of STI is driving the energy transition in the Caribbean subregion and draws lessons on how STI can better support the subregion’s sustainable development agenda.

This policy brief provides a set of recommendations to accelerate the implementation of SDG 7 and mitigate energy security risks.

This report summarizes insights on transparency and integrity in sustainable finance markets shared at a series of webinars hosted by the Asian Development Bank and State Street Global Advisors.