The Asia-Pacific region is often described as one of the most dynamic in the world, marked by rapid economic expansion, deepening trade links and accelerating digital transformation. Yet beneath this momentum lies diversity. Countries differ widely in terms of income levels, geography, institutional capacity and exposure to risks, from climate-vulnerable small island developing States to large, fast-growing economies navigating complex structural transitions. This diversity shapes how development unfolds across the region and highlights why broad regional approaches are not always sufficient. As Asia and the Pacific continues to expand economically and strategically, there is a growing need for cooperation models that are more tailored, flexible and responsive to grounded realities.

A regional approach to sustainable development

ESCAP is the United Nations’ regional development arm for Asia and the Pacific, with a mandate to support member States in advancing inclusive, resilient and sustainable development. The work of ESCAP is grounded in addressing interconnected challenges that transcend borders, including inequality, climate change, environmental sustainability, digital divides and economic resilience. As highlighted in the Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2026, progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals remains uneven, with many countries facing overlapping vulnerabilities. ESCAP therefore serves not only as a convening platform but also as a bridge, linking global commitments with regional priorities and translating them into actionable national strategies. Its role is particularly important in fostering policy coherence and enabling collaboration across diverse national and subregional contexts.

Subregional action in focus

This underscores the importance of subregional cooperation. Facilitated by its network of subregional offices (SROs), ESCAP collaborates with organizations, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the Pacific Islands Forum and the network of Pacific intergovernmental organizations, as well as others including the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. These partnerships allow regional frameworks to be adapted and implemented in ways that reflect subregional and national priorities. Subregional organizations are often well positioned to address transboundary challenges such as energy connectivity, transport corridors, disaster risk reduction and digital integration.

ESCAP’s five SROs cover the Pacific out of Suva, Fiji; South and South-West Asia from New Delhi, India; East and North-East Asia in Incheon, Republic of Korea; North and Central Asia in Almaty, Kazakhstan and South-East Asia in Bangkok, Thailand. They connect regional policy discussions with subregional and country-level implementation, ensuring that global and regional commitments are translated into practical solutions. For instance, engagement with Pacific partners emphasizes climate resilience and sustainability, while collaboration in South and South-West Asia focuses on trade, transport and energy connectivity and women’s digital empowerment. In South-East Asia, cooperation with ASEAN supports regional integration and digital transformation. Across all subregions, these relationships enable joint programming, knowledge sharing and coordinated responses to emerging risks, strengthening the overall coherence of regional development efforts.

Advancing targeted collaboration

This growing emphasis on subregional perspectives was evident at the eighty-second session of the Commission. The dedicated agenda item on subregional perspectives highlighted the urgency of addressing shared challenges, ranging from inequality and demographic shifts to climate risks, while also recognizing the opportunities for mutual learning and collective action. Building on this, a side event on digital innovation explored how cooperation among subregional organizations and ESCAP can address emerging technologies to support inclusive and age-responsive development, echoing findings from earlier ESCAP analyses that underscore both the opportunities and persistent digital divides across subregions.

These discussions were deepened during a facilitated exchange with heads of subregional organizations, where the focus shifted toward practical collaboration. It also underscored the role of ESCAP as a convening platform that brings together diverse subregional actors to foster dialogue, build trust and identify areas for joint action.

Establishing a dedicated platform

Since the introduction of a dedicated subregional agenda item at the Commission session in 2019, engagement has steadily evolved, first through dialogue, then through more interactive formats such as side events and now through focused discussions. These steps have laid the groundwork for a dedicated platform for subregional organizations within the Commission sessions.

Such a platform adds value by enhancing continuity, coordination and impact. The Secretary-General in his annual report has commended the role of subregional organizations in ensuring that global policies are adapted and implemented at the subregional level, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

By strengthening this platform, ESCAP aims to better harness the comparative advantages of subregional organizations, facilitate South-South cooperation and support more coherent and inclusive development pathways across Asia and the Pacific.

In a region defined by its diversity, the future of cooperation lies in how effectively those differences are connected. As ESCAP moves toward establishing a broader platform for regional engagement, it is reinforcing the subregions as the backbone of Asia-Pacific cooperation.