9 July 2026 – Bangkok, Thailand

The Secretariat for the EANET participated in the ninth session of the Committee on Environment and Development (CED9), organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand, from 1 to 3 July 2026. The ministerial-level meeting brought together governments, United Nations organizations, regional bodies, youth representatives and other stakeholders to discuss how integrated policies and partnerships can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, collectively known as the “triple planetary crisis.”

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Key Outcomes of CED9: Adoption of New Regional Frameworks

A major outcome of CED9 was the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2026 and the Regional Programme of Action on Advancing Synergies for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2026–2030. These frameworks call for stronger regional cooperation, science-based policymaking, integrated governance and enhanced partnerships to address interconnected environmental and development challenges across the region.

Throughout the meeting, delegates emphasized the importance of integrated approaches to tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, while strengthening sustainable water management, disaster resilience and environmental governance. Participants highlighted the need for greater data sharing, environmental monitoring, technical cooperation and capacity-building to support evidence-based decision-making and accelerate implementation of regional and global environmental commitments.

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EANET Emphasizes the Value of Scientific Cooperation

In its statement to CED9, EANET welcomed the meeting’s focus on promoting synergistic policymaking and integrated implementation to advance the SDGs and address the triple planetary crisis. On behalf of its 13 Participating Countries, EANET highlighted its more than two decades of experience in fostering regional cooperation through standardized monitoring, scientific exchange and capacity-building. The network emphasized the importance of open air quality data, strengthened monitoring systems and technical cooperation as practical tools for addressing air pollution and supporting the implementation of the Regional Action Programme on Air Pollution (RAPAP). EANET also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with ESCAP, UNEP and other partners to strengthen collaboration, share expertise and contribute to sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific.

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Strong Regional Commitment to Sustainable Development

The outcomes of CED9 reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation, integrated policymaking and science-based solutions in addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. As countries in Asia and the Pacific work to implement the newly adopted Ministerial Declaration and Regional Programme of Action, partnerships among governments, international organizations and regional networks will be essential to translating commitments into tangible results. In this context, EANET remains committed to supporting the region through monitoring, scientific cooperation, capacity-building and knowledge sharing, contributing to cleaner air and sustainable development for present and future generations.

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Learn more about EANET’s work on regional air quality monitoring, scientific cooperation and capacity-building, and explore EANET’s open-access data and publications.

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Photo credits: all rights reserved to EANET.