Inclusive growth vital for Asia-Pacific region

The level of global debate on sustainable development is reaching new heights as the United Nations gears up for member states to negotiate the post-2015 development agenda at a landmark summit to be convened by the UN General Assembly in September.

Deliberations on the specific sustainable development goals to be adopted must, however, be reinforced by sound global economic governance and focused domestic policy frameworks, improving the inclusiveness of growth to advance the economic, environmental and social welfare of our people and the planet.

The benefits of growth have to be more widely distributed, because inclusive growth is the cornerstone of sustainable development. Mainstreaming sustainability considerations in policymaking will, in turn, support inclusiveness.