Asia and the Pacific is the fastest growing economic region in the world. It is also a place of contrasts, home to some of the smallest and poorest countries and some of the largest and richest. In spite of the challenges the region faces, countries lead by policy innovation Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness, Thailand’s sufficiency economy and China’s efforts to curb air pollution stand out as examples. UN Environment works with countries in Asia and the Pacific to achieve sustainable economic growth reduce degradation of the environment and bring social and economic benefits to the people of the region.