The Sustainable Development Policies Division of ESCWA is responsible for the implementation of subprogramme 1. The interrelated and complex challenges and current social and political tensions in the region have created a sense of urgency for concerted efforts to strengthen interlinkages between the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development. Regional challenges include rise in demand for food, water and energy leading to unsustainable use of resources and food insecurity; unsustainable production and consumption patterns; inefficient energy use in key productive and consuming sectors; as well as climate change and its impact on natural resources.