In a recent interview with KhabarAsia.com, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana addressed the growing challenges of uncertainty in the Asia-Pacific region. With cross-border tensions, economic volatility, and climate disruptions shaping 2026, Alisjahbana emphasized that resilience—not certainty—is the cornerstone of progress.
"Uncertainty is not a flaw to eliminate but a reality to navigate," she stated, highlighting ESCAP’s focus on strengthening regional coordination mechanisms. From supply chain diversification to disaster-ready infrastructure, Alisjahbana outlined how adaptive systems could mitigate risks for businesses, governments, and communities.
Her insights resonate amid rising investor interest in ASEAN’s digital economies and India’s renewable energy sector, both seen as buffers against global market fluctuations. For diaspora communities, she stressed the importance of inclusive policies to protect migrant workers and cross-border families.
Alisjahbana also pointed to lessons from the DPRK’s recent participation in regional food security dialogues, underscoring collaboration as critical for stability. "The future belongs to systems that learn, adjust, and empower," she concluded—a vision aligning with the priorities of academics and policymakers alike.
