Roundtable on SDG 9: The Tenth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (Bangkok, Thailand, 27-30 March 2023)

The Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) was an annual, inclusive intergovernmental forum that supported follow-up and review of progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the regional level. The 10th APFSD was organized from 27-30 March 2023 under the theme "Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels in Asia and the Pacific" in Bangkok, at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC). The Forum provided a regional perspective on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by identifying regional trends and sharing best practices and lessons learned.

In alignment with the focus of the 2023 HLPF, the Forum assessed progress on the SDGs under review: Goal 6 (Clean water and sanitation); Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy); Goal 9 (Industry, innovation, and infrastructure); Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), and Goal 17 (Partnership for the Goals)​. The Forum also supported the presentation of Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) for the 2023 HLPF. Additionally, the APFSD fed into the 2023 SDG Summit by providing a regional platform to comprehensively review progress at the mid-point of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and identify priorities and solutions for accelerating the implementation of the SDGs in the remaining years to 2030.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the CIS region actively participated in the APFSD, contributing its expertise and resources to the discussions and activities. As a specialized agency of the United Nations, the ITU played a crucial role in promoting sustainable development through information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the region. Its participation in the APFSD strengthened regional cooperation and collaboration in achieving the SDGs.

The ITU participated in the round table on SDG 9, that focused on priority targets including industry, jobs and greening the industry, innovation, infrastructure, and digitalization. Further information about the event can be found here, and the recommendations from the roundtable can be accessed here. ​