This Edition of Our Voice at the UN follows the activities of Dr Theresa Devasahayam, SI UN Representative as she advocates for the rights of women and girls at the UN office in Bangkok.

Earlier this year, Dr Theresa Devasahayam represented Soroptimist International at the 78^th Commission organised by the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), held 23-27 May 2022. The theme of the 78^th Commission included pathways to achieve more inclusive and sustainable post-pandemic recovery. The purpose of the meeting was to review the implementation of key areas outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific. Delegates attending the Commission acknowledged the importance of sub-regional dimensions of sustainable development, partnerships, cooperation and collaboration across the region, and the need for regional and sub-regional frameworks.

The Commission highlighted that many countries in the Asia Pacific region are not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals; although this was the case even before the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. The pandemic, has placed considerable stress on poorer countries trying to build their economies, resulting in greater numbers of persons slipping back into poverty. In a blog about the event, Theresa reflects on key strategies that could be adopted to build back better in the aftermath of the pandemic. Click HERE to read Theresa’s blog.

The 78^th Commission provided a crucial platform for member States in the Asia Pacific to deliberate on their priorities and actions to achieve the targets under SDG 7 aimed at “ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.” As Soroptimist International’s UN Representative, Dr Theresa Devasahayam attended the side event entitled “Strategic Priorities for Adoption of Emerging Technologies in the Energy Sector for Climate Change Mitigation”. You can read more on this side event HERE.

In addition to ESCAP, Theresa represented Soroptimist International at the Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting on the Fourth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), held in Bangkok on 29 June–1 July 2022. MIPAA was adopted by the Second World Assembly on Ageing, held in Madrid from 8 to 12 April 2002, and endorsed by the General Assembly in resolution 57/167 of 18 December 2002. A range of issues related to older persons were discussed at the meeting, including advancing health in old age, labour force participation, poverty, income security, social protections, housing and living environments, and intergenerational solidarity. Other issues raised included: the mental health of older persons, long-term care, government budgetary allocation for geriatric needs, lifelong learning and training, gender-sensitive policies and rights-based approaches to addressing population ageing issues.

At the meeting, a session was devoted to ensuring enabling and supportive environments for older persons. Entitled, Enabling Environment or Future: Focus on Digital Inclusion and Built Environments, all the presenters spoke to various issues related to the building of conducive environments for older persons and facilitating the acquisition of digital skills among them, seeing this as a necessary and integral step towards the attainment of social development and for ensuring that no older person is left behind. During the meeting, Theresa delivered an oral statement on behalf Soroptimist International, encouraging governments to take the necessary steps to raise the digital skills of older persons so that they can access relevant and timely health information. You can read more from this event, including Theresa’s oral statement HERE.