Asia Pacific Regional Civil Society Statement

The Asia Pacific region is home to more than half the world population – approximately 4 billion out of more than 6 billion. It has 3 of the world's most populous countries, 3 of the world’s largest countries, 2 of the least populated, 13 least developed countries, 12 landlocked countries, one of which is among the 2 double landlocked countries in the world, and 17 small island developing countries. 70% of the population lives on less than a dollar a day. By 2025 the number of mega-cities (population over 10 million) in the Asia-Pacific will have risen to 20 from 16; more than half of the population will live in mega-cities. The enormous growing population is expected to use more resources to achieve economic growth. More often than not this economic development will occur at a cost to the environment. The region has 5 distinct sub-regions: Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and the South Pacific.