Nepal’s experience illustrates both what is possible when policies, education and community programmes align, and how easily gains can bypass those who need them most.
Cherevko’s message was clear: the window for preventing a deeper emergency is closing. “We must act before winter, not after families have exhausted their options.”
South Asia’s lead crisis is not inevitable. Experience elsewhere demonstrates that decisive regulation, industrial formalisation and community-level interventions can sharply reduce exposure.
For the international community, supporting South Asia’s efforts to build resilience is not only a humanitarian imperative but also a matter of global stability.
ASEAN foreign ministers are expected to discuss the transboundary haze at an upcoming meeting. The episode highlights longstanding regional tensions over the annual haze, which has strained diplomatic relations in previous severe seasons such as 2015.
Earlier assessments have similarly stressed that without accelerated action, high levels of hunger could persist for generations in the most affected regions.
The Tier 3 ranking places Afghanistan among a small group of countries where governments or de facto authorities demonstrate a policy or pattern of trafficking or related exploitation, including the recruitment of child soldiers.
The report underscores persistent questions about accountability for civilian harm. Related reporting on the region has highlighted ongoing challenges in post-conflict justice and the human costs of prolonged international military engagement.
While natural climate variability such as El Niño plays a role, the background warming linked to climate change adds to the heat available to these systems.
The report underscores persistent questions about accountability for civilian harm. Related reporting on the region has highlighted ongoing challenges in post-conflict justice and the human costs of prolonged international military engagement.
While natural climate variability such as El Niño plays a role, the background warming linked to climate change adds to the heat available to these systems.
Deliberations at the session are informed by findings of a new ESCAP study Urban Transformation in Asia and the Pacific: From Growth to Resilience which offers policy solutions and showcases cities in the region that are already pioneering change.
The government has projected growth of around 4 per cent for the next fiscal year, while aiming to keep inflation under control and continue fiscal consolidation.
The commission called for enforcement of the existing rule mandating 33 per cent women’s representation in political parties under the Representation of the People Order. It also proposed institutional reforms within parties to address corruption and create enabling environments for women.