On 1 July 2026, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on research collaboration. Dr. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, and Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi, President of IGES, signed the MOU at the ninth session of the Committee on Environment and Development (CED9) in Bangkok.
IGES and UNESCAP have been partners since first signing an MOU in April 2016, contributing to the advancement of sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. Building on this long-standing partnership, the two organisations will continue addressing environmental and sustainable development challenges through promotion of regional cooperation, rigorous analysis, knowledge sharing and policy dialogues, and provision of policy recommendations.
Prof. Takeuchi noted that through this close partnership, the findings of the Asia-Pacific Synergies Report will be translated into concrete actions across the region. He underscored the importance of continued cooperation to deliver a resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr. Alisjahbana stated that with this renewed partnership, UNESCAP looks forward to further strengthening the partnership with IGES and working together to advance sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region. She expressed her expectations for closer collaboration, including on the implementation of the Regional Programme of Action on Advancing Synergies for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific.
