Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2025
Harnessing a New Generation of Programmes of Action for Sustainable Development Ambitions

Abstract
The Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report is a recurrent ESCAP annual publication that discusses issues of interest for Asia-Pacific least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS). The 2025 Report, with the theme of “Harnessing a New Generation of Programmes of Action for Sustainable Development Ambitions”, focuses on the recently adopted, new programmes of action for these groups of countries. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the new programmes, their alignments with the Sustainable Development Goals and lessons from previous programmes. It highlights and identifies implementation challenges and strategies for Asia and the Pacific and outlines the role of the international community to assist them in implementing and effectively addressing their unique development challenges.