Results of Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation Meeting

Multistakeholder Processes and Institutions Ideal for Ecotopia Dedicated national council or commission for SD needed Constitutionally independent from government High level elected representative Deliver a broad vision for SD with detailed action plans Current Situation Political instability Corruption Insufficient data Inadequate consultation Top-down planning processes Not addressing grass-roots needs

Integrated Development Planning Ideal for Ecotopia Clear link between action plans and budgeting Strategy engagement platform from national to local level Strong role of the media Transparency and accountability of the NCSD Active and participating citizens Current Situation Need to have one overarching development plan – not standalone SD Local planning committees need better guidance Need clear criteria for stakeholder involvement in planning Need better planning tools, forecasting and models

Policies and Programs Ideal for Ecotopia Cross-cutting policy portfolios drawing out co- benefits Health outcomes based on food for all and self-reliance in food production Natural resources conservation and natural capital included in national accounts Current Situation Policy conflicts occur too frequently Good tools like Bhutan’s policy screening tool are not replicated widely Shortage of experts for policy analysis Institutional gaps between govt. and private sector Need multi-year rolling budget and stronger IT systems

Monitoring and Reporting Ideal for Ecotopia Regular feedback and monitoring forums Access to information at all levels Key indicators or indices related to performance Flexibility to change indicators mid-course Monitoring becomes a regular activity, preferably in real-time Current Situation Lack of available data Lack of transparency Few appropriate indicators Problem of budget allocation Limited impacts or feedback from monitoring Political instability and changing priorities

Overall Observations Individual countries already have in place parts of the puzzle to achieve SD – Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness surveys and policy screening tool; Indonesia’s “e-monev” monitoring system; Thailand’s sufficiency economy principles etc. – but we don’t learn from each other SDplanNet, therefore, has an important role to play in collecting and sharing knowledge on the pieces of the puzzle, providing capacity strengthening, and nudging governments towards Sustainable Development.

Thank you for attention. Peter King SDplanNet-AP Contact: