Multilaterals list key areas for bringing down poverty

MANILA, Philippines -  Decreasing economic and social inequality, managing rural-urban migration and investing in sustainable infrastructure are keys to eradicating poverty in Asia Pacific, according to a joint report by multilateral development institutions.

The report, titled Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity in a Changing Asia-Pacific, said some 400 million people in the region still grapple with poverty because of widening income inequality despite the region’s “impressive gains” in reducing income poverty in recent decades. This is reflected in adverse impact on health, education and standard of living.

The report was prepared by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Rapid economic growth in Asia Pacific resulted in growth of cities as impoverished workers from rural areas seek employment and opportunities. By next year, it is projected more than half of the region’s population will reside in urban areas, thus putting greater strain on resources, healthcare,  infrastructure and security.

This is manifested in rise in crime, spread of disease, burden of waste, and crumbling infrastructure. Urban areas in the region are thus becoming more vulnerable to shocks, crises and disasters. Most vulnerable are those who are unemployed, migrants, women and children.

“As urbanization booms across Asia and the Pacific, its cities are powering innovation, economic growth and prosperity, lifting many out of poverty. But there has also been an increase in inequality and exclusion in some regions,” said Haoliang Xu, UN assistant secretary-general and UNDP regional director for Asia and the Pacific. “To be more inclusive and to leave no one behind, cities must adopt innovative policies that align with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), and prioritize building the resilience of the most vulnerable groups.”

The report said significant progress has been made in expanding infrastructure in the region but basic needs remain unmet especially structures needed for clean energy, potable water and sanitation, and digital connectivity.

It noted that infrastructure has a vital role in facilitating the movement of people between urban and rural communities.

“Basic infrastructure services, such as water and sanitation, are sorely inadequate in many urban areas, and the quality and environmental sustainability of energy and transport infrastructure urgently needs to be improved. At the same time, however, the largest number of people without access to infrastructure services, such as electricity, better drinking water and the internet, live in rural areas. Integrated approaches to infrastructure planning that consider the rural–urban links and approaches to meet the differing needs of stakeholders can help countries better manage the rural–urban transitions,” said the report. 

ADB vice-president for knowledge management and sustainable development Bambang Susantono said coordinated efforts among multilateral development institutions are needed to bridge the huge infrastructure gap in the region.

“Asia’s infrastructure needs are large and will only grow, with our recent report suggesting that the region will need $1.7 trillion annually in climate-resilient infrastructure investments,” he said 

“How our region chooses to bridge the infrastructure gap will have profound global implications. Concerted efforts, as highlighted in the tripartite report, can help us cover the last mile for infrastructure towards inclusive and sustainable development,” he added.

The region is rich in investment opportunities particularly for innovations in energy and information and communications technology (ICT), said the report.