The Inclusion Imperative: A Call to Action

This report represents a "call to action" for stakeholders to combine their knowledge, resources and efforts to achieve equitable and sustainable outcomes through a more concrete dialogue on the institutional and legal reforms needed to make meaningful progress in support of the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

The recommendations in this report are the result of the discussions and contributions of participants of two major policy initiatives implemented by the Foundation for Development Cooperation Ltd (FDC) in 2018; namely the Asia-Pacific Financial Inclusion Forum and the Mekong Inclusive Growth Forum. The outcomes of the Forum discussions cover a range of priority topics including financial inclusion, gender strategies, digital technology, enterprise development and regional integration. While it is recognized that progress in any of these areas will require concerted efforts and cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders including the private sector, the recommendations in this report emphasize opportunities where governments can take a lead role in driving change that will ultimately lead to more inclusive economies and societies across the Asia-Pacific region.