The South Asian Sub-region is one of the fastest growing sub-regions of the world. It is blessed with rich and diverse natural resource base, which has historically supported economic development and sustained rural livelihoods and stands severely endangered as of now. It is therefore essential to focus on diverse response options and instruments for possible solutions. Ensuring sustainable development and growth of the South Asian Sub-region is beyond the scope of individual countries. This is especially true in vulnerable countries that face multiple stresses such as: poverty and unequal access to resources; weak institutions; and food and water insecurity, in spite of rapid advances in technology and economic resources. Therefore, due emphasis must be placed on increasing responsibilities of all stakeholders and collaborative efforts towards ensuring a healthy environment for the future.
Post 2015 South Asia Development Agenda prepared by SACEP highlight the key challenges and the critical analysis on means of implementation of the Rio+20 outcome and the policy/programme responses in South Asia in addressing environmental priorities identified in the Rio outcome document “The future we want” as well as their linkages to poverty reduction and development. In addition, the report would raise awareness of the key challenges related to implementing the Rio +20 environment and climate change related outcomes.
The report identifies the common and trans-boundary priorities of South Asian countries to achieve Sustainable Development and is expected to serve as a long term policy planning tool and identifies 3 key priorities, mainly: eliminating poverty and creating human security, securing economic base and strengthening institutional system. Post 2015 South Asia Development Agenda set priorities for cooperation of the South Asia states with innovative approach.
This document is also expected to provide the strategic direction for the pursuit of sustainable development in the South Asian Sub-region. It is important to note that this document addresses the issues at the sub-regional level, building upon national level issues and policies but particularly addressing those transcending and common to the countries in the South Asian Sub-region. It is expected that the document will be used by policy makers in the South Asian Sub-region countries as well as the officers and decision makers in the regional and international organizations active in the development process of the South Asian Sub-region.
