People Category of UN SDGs 2030 and Sustainable Economic Growth in Asia and the Pacific Region

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted on 25th September, 2015 aimed to end hunger, assure gender equity, and build a life of dignity for all over the world. It gave a clarion call of a new framework of “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The SDGs composed of 17 goals and 169 targets to wipe out poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change over the next 15 years. The SDGs are indeed visionary in character and an ideal framework in which all nations need to work out its actionable plans. Because of varying inter-country deficit on actionable areas of sovereign nations, SDGs have not gone into country-specific road-map for action. It is for this reason that SDGs did not mention any constraints in its overall approach to realise its visionary goals. However, constraints do exist in achieving SDGs just as it had existed under MDGs. Two of the top most goals under SDGs is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere (Goal 1) and end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition (Goal 2). SDGs also aim at promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all (Goal 8). An under-populated country can proceed to reach these goals easily; a country having stable population or optimum population can also move in that direction rather comfortably. But for a country, like India, where TFR is less than replacement level, where there is alarming high order density of population and high quotient of BPL population, where there exits shocking levels of unemployment, under-employment and adverse nutritional standard and relatively poor HDI, the quantum jump at on go to a SDGs level destination is rather a very difficult task. The huge size population and its incremental addition is responsible for this sordid state of affairs. It will be a gigantic task to implement the Goal 12 to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns for a runaway population of more than 1.21 billion population for such over-populated country.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the impact of remittance inflows on sustained economic growth in India.Design/methodology/approachThis study has taken a time series dataset for the period of 1976–2021, and a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model technique (NARDL) has been applied to check the impact of remittance inflows along with other control variables, including broad money and service sector performance, on the sustained economic growth of India.FindingsThe results of the study indicated that in both the short and long runs, any positive shock in remittance inflows has a positive impact on the economic growth of India, while negative shocks do not affect economic growth.Practical implicationsThe economic policymakers of India can use the findings of the study by implementing remittance-friendly policies. Moreover, NITI Aayog, the body working toward achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in India, can also use this study as a reference while making strategies to achieve SDG.Originality/valueEconomic growth has always been an area of interest among economists, researchers and policymakers. However, achieving sustained economic growth requires an analysis of those factors that themselves have sustained performance over a long period of time and have the potential to sustain it over the upcoming years. This study has taken remittance inflows as one such factor and investigated its impact on the sustained economic growth of India. At present, there is an evident gap in the literature that very little attention has been given to sustained Indian economic growth. Moreover, there is no study available in which the nonlinear impact of different variables has been tested on the economic growth of India.

This paper examines the complex relationship between macroeconomic policies, international trade practices, and sustainable development within the context of Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12) - promoting sustainable consumption and production. The objective is to explore a path towards sustainable economic growth that balances economic progress and ecological sustainability. A comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities in aligning macroeconomic and trade policies with SDG12 is conducted, complemented by a meticulous review of literature, academic discourse, empirical evidence, and case studies from different countries. The methodology entails a systematic review of relevant literature, theoretical foundations, and empirical validations, including insightful case studies illustrating successful strategies employed by nations. Practical results demonstrate the potential for successful reconciliation between economic growth and environmental sustainability, offering replicable blueprints for other countries. The paper identifies areas of conflict and symbiosis between macroeconomic and trade policies concerning SDG12. In conclusion, achieving sustainable economic growth requires cohesive policy formulation, aligning macroeconomic and trade strategies with SDG12. The study proposes specific, implementable policy recommendations to guide countries towards a sustainable trajectory of economic growth while preserving the environment. Emphasizing the significance of coherent policy frameworks, the paper highlights the potential for building a robust, sustainable global economy that addresses growth and environmental conservation simultaneously, contributing to the promotion of sustainable consumption and production worldwide.

This paper examines the complex relationship between macroeconomic policies, international trade practices, and sustainable development within the context of Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12) - promoting sustainable consumption and production. The objective is to explore a path towards sustainable economic growth that balances economic progress and ecological sustainability. A comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities in aligning macroeconomic and trade policies with SDG12 is conducted, complemented by a meticulous review of literature, academic discourse, empirical evidence, and case studies from different countries. The methodology entails a systematic review of relevant literature, theoretical foundations, and empirical validations, including insightful case studies illustrating successful strategies employed by nations. Practical results demonstrate the potential for successful reconciliation between economic growth and environmental sustainability, offering replicable blueprints for other countries. The paper identifies areas of conflict and symbiosis between macroeconomic and trade policies concerning SDG12. In conclusion, achieving sustainable economic growth requires cohesive policy formulation, aligning macroeconomic and trade strategies with SDG12. The study proposes specific, implementable policy recommendations to guide countries towards a sustainable trajectory of economic growth while preserving the environment. Emphasizing the significance of coherent policy frameworks, the paper highlights the potential for building a robust, sustainable global economy that addresses growth and environmental conservation simultaneously, contributing to the promotion of sustainable consumption and production worldwide.

SDG 8’s goal is to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth; full and productive employment; and decent work for all. This chapter examines the experiences of East Asian developing countries in achieving rapid and inclusive economic growth by focusing on the role of international tradeand foreign direct investmentnexus created through global value chains (GVCs)by multinational corporations (MNCs). GVCs enabled participating companies and countries to improve productivity, contributing to economic growth. The factors attributable to the participation in GVCs include high competitiveness of local companies and open business environment created by the Asian government. Moreover, construction and maintaining well-functioning soft (e.g., education and legal systems) and hard (e.g., transportation and communication systems) infrastructure by the government and international donors contributed to the creation of business-friendly environment. Faced with growing protectionism and the threats of growing US-China rivalry, infectious diseases, climate change, etc., maintaining an open and transparent rules-based business environment is crucially important to further achieving sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. In the light of absence of effective global economic order, exemplified by ineffectiveness of the World Trade Organizationin trade liberalization as well as dispute settlement, regional economic frameworks such as the CPTPP and RCEP in the Asia and Pacific region would be proven to be effective to achieve the goal.

Purpose of the study: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 comprising a universally acceptable worldwide development agenda which each country of the world has to achieve till 2030. The purpose of this study is to examine the socio-economic and political transformational challenges confronted to South Asian Countries (SA) i.e. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, in achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methodology: The study uses different statistics of World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Health Organizations (WHO), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to give a comprehensive picture of South Asian economies and the challenges which they are currently facing for achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In our preliminary analysis, the methodology highlighted the issues of South Asian Countries such as poverty (SDG 1), healthy lives and well-being (SDG 3), inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4), sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all (SDG 8)". Principal Findings: The statistics presented regarding South Asian economies exhibit a dismal picture. At present, the attainment of these stipulated goals seems impossible and remains elusive if some serious measures have not been taken. The role of DCs and the world community as a whole is significant in this regard. To save the planet from extreme poverty, hunger, malnutrition, equitable access to modern technology, improved education and health for all human beings, the developed countries should give at least one percent of their GNP in the form of development assistance to poor countries. The study suggests that good governance that could undertake and implement structural reforms is necessary to deal with the challenges confronting to South Asian countries in achieving the targets of these stipulated goals. More importantly, the Developed Countries (DCs) started to implement their strategies to view SDGs' targets. Now it is a dire need that DCs should assist the Under Developed Countries (UDCs) and help them from their experience in identifying the transformational challenges which they possibly have to face in achieving SDGs' targets. Otherwise, it looks impossible for the UDCs to come up with these targets till 2030. Applications of this study: The study highlighted some key challenges that South Asian countries face to achieve the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study outcomes can prove very much helpful for South Asian countries for achieving these targets and devising thriving economic policies generous to attaining their targets till 2030. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study gives a brief picture of the current position of the South Asian countries where they stand regard to Sustainable Development Goals' targets. Moreover, the results and policy recommendations presented at the end of the study provides help to deal with the challenges that are big hindrances in achieving the targets of these SDGs.

Based on World Bank’s country classification scheme, this study has examined the contribution of the people category of SDGs towards sustainable economic growth (SEG) of 22 low and lower-middle-income countries of the Asian region during the period ranging from 2001 to 2019. The results showed that the measure of SDG-01 (No Poverty) proxied as “employed poverty rate” has a significantly negative impact on SEG by around 0.75%. The second SDG aims for zero hunger proxied as “percentage of the stunted child” is found to have an insignificant impact on SEG. Moreover, SDG-03 (good health and well-being) measured as “government’s per capita health expenditure” and SDG-04 (quality education) proxied as “government’s per capita education expenditure” have been proven to have a positive significant impact on SEG are likely to improve by 50.27% and 36.19% respectively. Last among the SDGs from the people category is focused on (gender equality) which is proxied as “percentage of women member of national assembly” is turned up with statistically significant but negative impact on SEG, estimating around 0.57% improvement. FDI inflow as a control variable was found to have a statistically insignificant impact on SEG in low and lower-middle-income nations of Asia.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) call for an end to all poverty and marked improvements in health for all. The linkages of health to poverty reduction and to long-term economic growth have been shown to be much stronger than has been generally understood. The WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health elucidated the close connexions between conditions of poverty and maladies which include several non-communicable diseases (NCDs), associated with these conditions. Strong evidence links poverty, poor employment and working conditions (exposure to occupational risks), lack of education, and other social determinants to NCDs, creating a vicious cycle, whereby worsen poverty through their impact, while poverty results in rising rates of such diseases. At the same time, because of the magnitude of illness, disabilities and premature deaths they cause and the long-term care required, they reduce productivity and increase healthcare costs, thereby weakening national economic development. Decent work is now at the forefront of the new sustainable development agenda, which for the first time explicitly refers to full and productive employment and decent work for all as a means of achieving sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth (SDG 8), and include goals relating to protecting labour rights and promoting safe and secure working environments of all workers, including migrant workers, women workers, and those in precarious employment. The SDGs also include a number of additional targets and goals, which have implications for health safety and wellbeing (e.g. SDG3, 4, 5, 10 and 12). The SGDs recognise that inclusive and sustainable economic growth is not only linked to the number of economically active people and economic output, but also to the conditions in which they work. However, much still needs to be done to improve working conditions and promote decent work and, consequently, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The purpose of this research is to provide information about circular solutions for decent work economic growth which includes lessons from SDG 8. However, the circular economy is a promising approach to achieving sustainable development, by decoupling ecomonic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation. The circular economy can support the achievement of multiple SDGs, by promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth, reducing waste and pollution, and fostering innovation and resilience. The circular economy has the potential to contribute to SDG 8 by creating new job opportunities, promoting skills development and innovation, also it can fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth. By adopting circular practices, businesses and governments can create new value and reduce their environmental impact, while promoting social and economic development. Highlights: The circular economy offers a promising approach to achieving sustainable development by decoupling economic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation. Circular practices can contribute to SDG 8 by creating new job opportunities, promoting skills development, and fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth. By adopting circular solutions, businesses and governments can create new value, reduce environmental impact, and drive social and economic development. Keywords: Circular solutions, Decent work, Economic growth, Sustainable development goals (SDGs), Resource efficiency

In 2015, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) towards 2030 were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Goal 8 of this agenda addresses the issues of ‘Economic Growth’ and ‘Decent Work’ under the banner of ‘Sustainable Development.’ The goal is aspirational; it aims to uphold sustainable development through “sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all” (UNGA, Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development, 2015, p. 14). This goal is, for the International Labour Organization (ILO), a key to sustainable development as it is a critical driver of multiple other goals in SDGs (ILO, Decent work and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, 2017).

Although tourism is considered a vehicle for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to eradicate poverty, protect the environment and facilitate social inclusion, limited empirical work has assessed the engagement of tourism literature with the associated 2030 Agenda. Water, both fresh and salt, is directly or indirectly implicated throughout the SDGs, and tourism both depends on clean water and exacerbates water problems. However, there has been limited discourse that maps water-centric knowledge and its relationship to the SDGs within the sustainable tourism literature. This bibliometric analysis, consequently, draws on a database of 220 relevant journal articles to identify affiliated themes and assess their relationship to the SDGs. Findings categorise the knowledge base into three first order themes, with water situated respectively as resource, attraction and hazard. This literature indirectly supports the Agenda through specific SDGs of poverty eradication (#1), sustainable economic growth (#8), and sustainable consumption (#12). Direct links occur between the themes and specific SDGs, as with resource (#6, sustainable management of water for all), attraction (#14, life beneath the sea) and hazard (#13, climate change action). Future research in the tourism and water nexus should consider deeper engagement with priorities as outlined in the SDGs.

Financial innovation plays a critical role in advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8), which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, along with decent work opportunities. This study examines the dynamic relationship between financial innovation and economic development, motivated by ongoing theoretical and empirical debates regarding whether financial innovation serves as a driver of long‐term economic growth. The primary objective is to assess the impact of financial innovation on real GDP per capita and growth volatility over both the short and long term, with particular emphasis on variations across countries at different stages of financial development and the influence of financial crises. Using panel data from 39 countries spanning the period 1972–2016, the study employs the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimator to capture dynamic effects, both before and after financial crises. The empirical findings indicate that financial innovation contributes to long‐term economic development; however, in highly developed financial systems, it also amplifies growth volatility, particularly in the period preceding financial crises. In economies with less developed financial systems, financial innovation stimulates economic expansion but simultaneously heightens volatility, both pre‐ and post‐crisis. These findings underscore the need for policymakers to implement regulatory frameworks that balance the benefits of financial innovation with the risks of financial instability. Most importantly, the study highlights the role of financial innovation in advancing SDG 8 by demonstrating its potential to foster sustained economic growth when appropriately managed.

Malte Luebker recalls that employment and labour issues were entirely absent from the initial set of MDGs, and that only in 2005, somewhat hastily, a new target was added to address this oversight. He therefore welcomes that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development makes ample reference to employment and inequality. Goal 8 is devoted to 'Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all' and expands on two familiar themes, productivity and employment, while adding labour rights as a new element. The more nuanced treatment of labour arguably presents a notable advance in attaining a wider set of progressive policies concerned with addressing rising inequalities. While the SDGs are strong on some policies that have direct impact on the primary and secondary distribution of incomes, they lack an explicit endorsement of freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. Hence, they fail to mention the mechanisms that give workers a voice and a meaningful stake in development.

Objective: This study examines the role of customs cooperation in trade facilitation within the ASEAN region, with a particular focus on its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the research aims to analyze the impact of ASEAN’s customs integration initiatives on regional economic growth (SDG 8), cross-border trade efficiency, and sustainable industrial development (SDG 9), while emphasizing the role of international and regional partnerships (SDG 17) in strengthening trade governance. Theoretical Framework: The study is grounded in international trade law and regional economic integration theories, emphasizing the role of regulatory cooperation in trade facilitation. It draws upon WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the World Customs Organization (WCO) standards, and ASEAN’s legal instruments governing trade and customs procedures. The SDG framework is utilized to evaluate the broader socio-economic and environmental impacts of trade facilitation, with a particular emphasis on its contribution to inclusive economic growth (SDG 8), industrial development and innovation (SDG 9), and global trade partnerships (SDG 17). Method: A qualitative research approach is adopted, utilizing legal and policy analysis of ASEAN trade facilitation agreements, reports from international organizations, and empirical studies on regional trade efficiency. Comparative analysis is employed to assess the disparities in customs infrastructure, digitalization, and regulatory alignment among ASEAN member states, highlighting how these factors influence the achievement of sustainable industrialization (SDG 9) and the facilitation of cross-border trade partnerships (SDG 17). Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that ASEAN’s customs cooperation mechanisms have significantly streamlined cross-border trade procedures, reducing transaction costs and improving regional economic integration. These advancements have enhanced economic productivity and job creation (SDG 8) and supported the modernization of trade-related infrastructure (SDG 9). However, challenges persist, including legal inconsistencies in customs regulations, disparities in digital capabilities among AMS, and institutional barriers arising from ASEAN’s consensus-based decision-making model. These limitations hinder the full implementation of paperless trade initiatives and the efficiency of customs data exchange, restricting ASEAN’s ability to foster strong international trade partnerships (SDG 17). Research Implications: The study highlights the necessity for ASEAN to develop a harmonized legal framework for cross-border data flows, enhance digital infrastructure in less-developed AMS, and advance the legal unification of customs regulations. Strengthening institutional agility in ASEAN decision-making is also critical for expediting trade facilitation reforms. These recommendations are essential for enhancing economic opportunities (SDG 8), promoting digital and industrial innovation (SDG 9), and fostering a more integrated and rules-based multilateral trade system (SDG 17). Originality/Value: This research contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive legal and policy analysis of ASEAN customs cooperation in the context of trade facilitation and sustainable development. By integrating trade law principles with sustainable economic growth (SDG 8), industrial modernization (SDG 9), and global trade partnerships (SDG 17), the study offers valuable insights for policymakers, trade negotiators, and businesses engaged in ASEAN’s economic integration.

Land degradation (LD) is a critical environmental challenge caused by human activities and climate change. Reversing degraded land requires effective LD monitoring. The UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 15.3.1, "Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area," was established to assess and report LD status at regional and global levels. However, SDG indicator 15.3.1 requires comprehensive, consistent, easily accessible data and would induce large uncertainty, especially in mountainous regions. This study assesses LD in Southern China's mountainous regions by integrating national and global land cover (LC) datasets with a customized LC transition matrix to improve the effectiveness of UN SDG indicator 15.3.1 for LD assessment. The national LC transition matrices were tailored to align with the specific context of the study region and the country's ecological restoration policies and ecosystem services. The results of LD by national LC datasets were compared with the global (default) datasets provided by the Trend.Earth plugin in QGIS. Both sets of results were then compared with the validated LD findings. Using default LC datasets, 20.58% of land areas were classified as degraded, compared to 12.74% with national LC datasets. Land improvement assessed by national data was 7.58% higher than the default datasets. The LD results by national datasets and customized LC transition were closest to the validated LD data, with 94% overall accuracy. Therefore, incorporating national LC datasets and a customized LC transition matrix into UN SDG indicator 15.3.1 could enhance the effectiveness of assessing LD in mountainous regions.