Middle East tensions threaten PHL SDGs

THE ESCALATING CONFLICT in the Middle East could further hinder the Philippines’ and the broader Asia-Pacific region’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) said in a report.

- By Justine Irish D. Tabile

Even before the latest conflict, the region was already off track in meeting the global targets, ESCAP said.

At the current pace, Asia and the Pacific are projected to miss 103 of the 117 measurable SDG targets, it added.

ESCAP Director of Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Hamza Ali Malik said the war in the Middle East is the latest shock facing the region as it is still recovering from the coronavirus pandemic and fallout from the war in Ukraine.

“Irrespective of these shocks, the region, and Philippines is no exception, is also grappling with complex socioeconomic implications of climate change, demographic shifts and rapid technological advancements,” he told BusinessWorld.

“Taken together, these have led to a slowdown in productivity growth and convergence of incomes of developing Asia-Pacific countries, including the Philippines, with advanced economies,” he added.

The Philippines reflects the region’s mixed progress toward the SDGs. ESCAP’s SDG Gateway showed improving trends for 24.8% of the country’s SDG indicators since 2015, while 16.2% showed worsening trends.

Mr. Malik said the Middle East conflict is exacerbating the challenges already faced by the region, making the pursuit of SDGs even harder.