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Evaluation of the project on promoting sustainable energy in the Asia and Pacific region to support the implementation of SDG7 and the Paris Agreement, Phase II
No full textThe Promoting Sustainable Energy in the Asia and Pacific Region to Support the Implementation of
SDG7 and the Paris Agreement–Phase II project, a collaboration between ESCAP and Energy
Foundation China, concluded in October 2024. This evaluation aims to inform future decisions and
enhance implementation, with findings guiding ESCAP, energy ministries, and partners in refining
energy policies and initiatives.ESCAP’s evaluation policy mandates that independent assessments of selected extra-budgetary
projects be conducted regularly to ensure the accountability, relevance, and impact of their
programmatic work. The project aimed to address critical energy challenges—unequal access, rising
demand, fossil fuel dependence, and climate vulnerability—by strengthening the capacity of
policymakers and improving energy security. This evaluation was commissioned to identify lessons
learned, assess sustainability, and refine future energy initiatives. This evaluation covered the
project's design, strategy, and implementation from November 2021 to September 2024, including
all participating countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Viet Nam, and other
nations in the Greater Mekong Sub-region and ASEAN) and various implementation methods such as
workshops, training, and additional activities based on country consultations. Table of Contents
Acknowledgments.................................................................................................................................................. 1
List of acronyms...................................................................................................................................................... 2
Executive summary................................................................................................................................................. 3
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 6
2. Description of the Project.............................................................................................................................. 8
2.1 Background ............................................................................................................................... 8
2.2 Project theory of change .......................................................................................................... 9
2.3 Project strategies.................................................................................................................... 10
2.4 Innovative elements ............................................................................................................... 10
2.5 Beneficiaries, target countries and key partners....................................................................10
2.6 Resources................................................................................................................................ 10
3. Evaluation Scope and Methodology ............................................................................................................ 11
3.1 Evaluation scope ..................................................................................................................... 11
3.2 Evaluation approach ............................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Data collection and analysis.................................................................................................... 12
3.4 Stakeholder analysis ............................................................................................................... 14
3.5 Sampling.................................................................................................................................. 14
3.6 Risks and limitations............................................................................................................... 14
4. Evaluation Findings...................................................................................................................................... 15
4.1 Impact..................................................................................................................................... 15
4.2 Effectiveness........................................................................................................................... 18
4.3 Relevance................................................................................................................................ 19
4.4 Efficiency................................................................................................................................. 21
4.5 Sustainability........................................................................................................................... 22
4.6 Cross-cutting Issues ................................................................................................................ 24
5. Conclusions.................................................................................................................................................. 26
5.1 Impact..................................................................................................................................... 26
5.2 Effectiveness........................................................................................................................... 26
5.3 Relevance................................................................................................................................ 26
5.4 Efficiency................................................................................................................................. 27
5.5 Sustainability........................................................................................................................... 27
5.6 Cross-cutting Issues ................................................................................................................ 27
6. Recommendations....................................................................................................................................... 28
ANNEXES ....................................................................................................................................... 30
Annex 1: Result framework ...................................................................................................30
Annex 2: Project’s theory of change ......................................................................................31
Annex 3: Evaluation TOR .......................................................................................................32
Annex 4: Evaluation matrix ...................................................................................................37
Annex 5: List of documents reviewed ....................................................................................42
Annex 6: Data collection instruments....................................................................................44
Annex 7: List of individuals interviewed ................................................................................46
Annex 8: Summary of field note ............................................................................................47
Annex 9: Stakeholder analysis...............................................................................................53
Annex 10: IPs, their roles, and contributions to the project ...................................................54
Annex 11: Output wise project's activities, and key achievements ........................................55
Annex-12: OECD-DAC evaluation criteria wise additional information...................................60
Annex-13: Management response.........................................................................................
On the road to equality : gender, transport and economic empowerment in Bangladesh
No full textThis paper examines the potential of the transport sector to promote women's economic empowerment in Bangladesh, analyzing its role in enhancing economic opportunities and ensuring safe and inclusive mobility for women. Despite policy pronouncements on gender equality, women constitute a minuscule proportion of the transport workforce, largely confined to low-paying, informal positions. This underrepresentation is attributed to various challenges, including safety and security concerns, especially regarding harassment and violence on public transport. Societal perceptions of driving as a "rough profession" unsuitable for women, coupled with a lack of decent work conditions such as formal contracts, paid leave, and social security benefits, further discourage female participation. The paper underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy interventions to promote the recruitment and retention of women in the sector. This includes implementing robust safety measures on public transport, fostering decent work conditions, providing accessible training programs, and challenging prevailing social norms that hinder women's full and equal engagement in the sector.
To build the evidence base for this study, a range of stakeholders have been interviewed, ranging from transport officials to women workers from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation, Dhaka Land Transport Owners’ Association and Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, among others.Table of Contents
Foreword…………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………... 7
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………......8
1. Women's Participation in the Transport Sector……………………………………………… 10
1.1 Findings from Employment Surveys…………………………………………………… 10
1.2 Government Policies and Initiatives……………………………………………………. 18
1.3 Findings from Primary Research……………………………………………………... ...21
2. Accessibility of Public Transport for Women Users………………………………………… 29
2.1 Government Policies and Initiatives……………………………………………….….…29
2.2 Findings from Primary Research………………………………………………………. .31
3. Learning from Good Practices………………………………………………………………...37
4. Policy Recommendations……………………………………………………………………...39
References………………………………………………………………………………………. 44
Annex…………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Study on the viability and modalities for the establishment of the United Nations Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin
No full textThis document presents the results of a study on the viability and modalities of establishing the United Nations Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin, carried out in accordance with resolution 79/8 adopted on 19 May 2023 at the seventy-ninth session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Drawing from the consultations with stakeholders, the report proposes four modalities for establishing the Special Programme: 1) Multidimensional (umbrella) partnership of Central Asian countries and the UN in the Aral Sea basin, 2) Synchronizing the activities of the UN Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin with the updated IFAS structure, in particular in terms of attracting funding and technology, 3) Merging the tasks of the UN Special Programme in the Aral Sea Basin with the tasks of the Regional Center for Climate Technologies in Central Asia being created in Ashgabat and 4) UN Special Programme on Climate Resilience and Disasters in the Aral Sea Basin as a new working group of SPECA or a sub-working group of SPECA Working Group on Water, Energy and Environment.Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. 6 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 9
I: Cooperation on water, energy environment and disaster in the Aral Sea Basin ................................... 11
1.1 Cooperation on water and environment under the umbrella of International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) .......................................................................................................................................... 11
1.1.1 General information about IFAS .............................................................................................. 11
1.1.2 Necessity to improve the IFAS and implement programmes effectively ................................... 12
1.1.3 IFAS and the United Nations .................................................................................................... 12
1.2 Cooperation on disasters ............................................................................................................... 13
1.3 Activities of the UN agencies in the Aral Sea basin ......................................................................... 13
1.3.1 Regional commissions and SPECA .......................................................................................... 13
1.3.2 Programme and funds ............................................................................................................ 14
1.3.3 Specialized Agencies .............................................................................................................. 15
1.3.4 Regional centre and offices ..................................................................................................... 16
1.4 Programmes with other partners ................................................................................................... 16
1.4.1 EU-Central Asia Platform on Environment and Water Cooperation ........................................... 16
1.4.2 Green Central Asia .................................................................................................................. 16
1.4.3 Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) .............................................................................................. 17
1.4.4 Regional IKI project “Energy, Water and Land-use Nexus in Central Asia” ................................. 17
1.4.5 Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC) Water pillar ............................ 17
1.5 Conclusions: Current status of cooperation and future tasks .......................................................... 18
II: Key provisions and conditions for establishing a UN Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin ........ 19
2.1 Two approaches for the programme’s thematic scope ................................................................... 19
2.1.1 A comprehensive and wide-ranging programme ...................................................................... 19
2.1.2 A programme focused on one or two key areas ....................................................................... 20
2.2 Focus on better coordination ......................................................................................................... 20
2.3 New realities – new pragmatic approach: performance-based, systemic and transparent ............... 20
2.4 Geographical scope of the Special Programme .............................................................................. 21
2.5 Main activities of the Special Programme ...................................................................................... 21
2.6 Consideration of new initiatives involving the United Nations as proposed by the CA countries....... 22
2.7 The role of Central Asian countries ................................................................................................ 22
2.8 The role of IFAS ............................................................................................................................ 22
2.9 The role of the United Nations ....................................................................................................... 23
2.10 The role of the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund (MPHSTF) ...................................... 24
2.11 Funding ....................................................................................................................................... 24
III: Possible modalities for establishing a Special Programme .............................................................. 25
UN Special Programme on Climate Resilience and Disasters in the Aral Sea basin ............................ 26
Additional options proposed at the regional consultative meeting .................................................... 26
Conclusion and recommendations ...................................................................................................... 26 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................... 28
Annex 1. ESCAP resolution 79/8 ...................................................................................................... 32
Annex 2. The United Nations Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin put forward by Turkmenistan ....................................................................................................................................................... 34
Annex 3. List of organizations consulted .......................................................................................... 36
Annex 4. A list of questions for consultations................................................................................... 37
Annex 5. Regional organizations under umbrella of IFAS .................................................................. 38
A. Interstate Commission for Water Coordination in Central Asia (ICWC) .................................... 38
B. Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) ................................................... 39
C. Executive Committee of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea ................................... 39
Annex 6. Other regional organizations ............................................................................................. 41
A. Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) ....................................................... 41
B. Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction ................................................ 42 Annex
7. Key UN agencies addressing water and disasters ............................................................... 43
A. Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) ................................................................................ 43
B. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) ....................................... 44
C. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) .................................................................. 45
D. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) ..................................................................................... 47
E. International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) ................................................................ 48
F. World Food Programme (WFP) .............................................................................................. 49
G. UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund (MPHSTF) for the Aral Sea region .................... 50
H. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ................................................................... 51
I. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) .......................................................... 54
J. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ........................... 56
K. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ............................................................................ 58
L. World Bank Group ................................................................................................................. 60
M. United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) ............. 61
N. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) ................................................... 6
Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025
No full textThe sun’s rays strike the Earth without regard for national borders. In Asia and the Pacific, rising temperatures are impacting all, everywhere. Disaster risks are expanding and intensifying as temperatures rise with serious consequences not only for human health but also for socio-economic-environmental systems. The frequency and scale of weather events resulting from rising temperatures can range from extensive floods to intense storms, to prolonged drought, expanding desertification and giving rise to new corridors of sand and dust storms. In fact, the fastest growing climate hazards are from rising temperatures.
Rising Heat, Rising Risk assesses recent as well as long-term trends. Based on the latest projections, it distills cascading impacts for multiple infrastructures, and interrelated food, water and energy systems. It identifies troubling impacts on health systems, labour productivity, livelihoods and human well-being, with vulnerable people among those disproportionately impacted by these projections. Furthermore, the report identifies important opportunities for solutions and policy actions. In this regard, countries will have to plan strategically for heat resilience at both local and national levels, while also taking full advantage of opportunities for regional cooperation. The report underlines that as climate change, rising temperatures and risk is a global phenomenon, policy coordination at the regional level will be key to advancing multilateral cooperation for human resilience to disasters. Towards this end, the report finds that dedicated funding may not be needed. Instead financing for heat resilience requires strategic integration into existing adaptation plans, development funding and policy streams, and guided by advances in science, technology, innovation and data-sharing at national, regional and global levels.Contents
Foreword iii
Acknowledgements iv
Executive summary v
Acronyms and abbreviations xiii
Chapter 1: The Asia-Pacific disaster riskscape 1
Disaster trends 1970–2024 2
Disaster events in 2024–2025 4
Future heat risk hotspots 8
Possible climate futures and temperature increases with GHG emissions 9
Endnotes 15
Chapter 2: Extreme heat – disrupting lives, economies and ecosystems 16
Hotter cities 17
Vulnerabilities in energy 20
People at risk 22
Health hazards 24
Economic impacts 25
Food system vulnerabilities 28
Beyond the thermometer 30
Endnotes 31
Chapter 3: Warming oceans, land, glaciers and atmosphere 32
Oceans 33
Land 33
Glaciers 34
Atmosphere 34
Interactions between oceans, land, glaciers and atmosphere 35
Projections for oceans – sea level rise 36
Projections for land – greater aridity 38
Projections for glaciers – glacier ice mass 40
Projections for atmosphere – extreme precipitation 41
Projections for composite risks for oceans, land, glaciers and atmosphere 42
Endnotes 43
Chapter 4: Planning for heat resilience 44
The transformation toward heat resilience systems 45
Component 1 of heat resilient systems: Heat Action Plans 47
Component 2 of heat resilient systems: Heat early warning systems 47
Component 3 of heat resilient systems: Inclusive cooling for urban areas 48
Component 4 of heat resilient systems: Integrating technologies 52
Smart and heat-resilient cities 52
Rates of return on adaptation by sector 54
Mainstreaming heat resilience in agriculture: A model for systemic integration 55
New measurements for estimating agricultural loss and damage 55
Cross-sectoral implications for agriculture 55
Digital tools for climate-smart agriculture 56
The triple development dividend of transformative adaptation 56
First dividend: Avoiding losses through risk management 56
Second dividend: Resource management and optimization 56
Third dividend: Unlocking development co-benefits and stimulating economic activity 57
Financing heat adaptation 57
Endnotes 58
Chapter 5: Regional collaboration for action in Asia and the Pacific 59
Heat-ready multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) 60
Regional collaboration on heat health 62
Regional collaboration on oceans and glaciers 63
A strategic framework to strengthen regional solutions 66
Endnotes 67
Bibliography 6
Guide to the Jakarta Declaration on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023-2032
No full textThis is an Easy Read version of information to help countries follow the Jakarta Declaration on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023 to 2032
Investing for climate action : Opportunities for expanding the medium-scale rooftop solar photovoltaic sector in Cambodia
No full textThe report analyses the economic performance of the medium-scale rooftop solar PV segment in Cambodia. It studies three typical applications: a garment factory, a private hospital and an office building in Phnom Penh. This analysis considers the current Cambodian rooftop solar (RTS) regulation and its monetary penalties in order to understand the role it plays in the financial returns of medium-scale solar PV projects. This enables conclusions to be drawn about the impact of different regulatory approaches on the investment attractiveness of medium-scale solar power.List of figures ....................................................................................................iii
List of tables ..................................................................................................... iv
Abbreviations ..................................................................................................... v
Executive summary ............................................................................................1
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................3
2. Overview of energy sector in Cambodia.........................................................4
3. Cambodian energy agencies and energy policies...........................................9
4. Energy consumers in Cambodia ..................................................................13
Industrial sector................................................................................................................................................ 14
Commercial sector........................................................................................................................................... 15
Residential sector............................................................................................................................................. 16
5. Solar PV market..........................................................................................17
6. Solar PV financing models ..........................................................................22
7. Deploying rooftop solar in Cambodia...........................................................24
Garment factory ............................................................................................................................................... 24
Private hospital................................................................................................................................................. 27
Office building .................................................................................................................................................. 29
8. Options to strategically unlock rooftop solar ...............................................32
9. Conclusions ................................................................................................33
Annexes
I. Other policies in Cambodia’s energy sector.................................................................................................. 34
II. Garment factory - simulation and financial model of the PV system .......................................................... 35
III. Private hospital - simulation and financial model of PV system................................................................. 38
IV. Office building - simulation and financial model of PV system................................................................... 4
Evaluation of the project on towards the Incheon strategy to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific
No full textThe project “Towards the Incheon Strategy to Ensure the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (Phase II) was implemented between October 2019 and December 2024. The project supported the implementation of the Incheon Strategy - a part of ESCAP’s intergovernmental
commitments made in 2012 and Resolution 69/13 - for promoting disability-inclusive development in Asian and the Pacific. One of the main components of the project was to conduct a survey on the Final Review of the implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022 to track progress toward achieving the Incheon Strategy Goals through disability data collection. The purpose of this Final Review Survey was to take stock of progress made in the implementation of the Decade (2013-2022) and for charting a path forward for the coming decade, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Additional activities were conducted that were designed to build national capacity for disability statistics collection and reporting, as well as technical support for national disability policy and program development. This was provided at the request of national stakeholders for improving disability programs, policies and legislation
Taxing the digital economy : a discussion on strategy and policy options
No full textThis paper examines strategies and policy options for taxing the digital economy. For Asia-Pacific countries, strategic considerations include balancing revenue potential, administrative capacity, and investment attractiveness. While the OECD “Pillar Two” offers immediate benefits, “Pillar One” requires cautious engagement due to uncertain revenue outcomes and high compliance costs. Countries may also consider unilateral measures such as digital services taxes (DSTs), withholding taxes (Article 12B of the UN Model Convention), diverted profits taxes, and VAT on digital services. DSTs provide immediate revenue but risk trade conflicts and double taxation.
The paper emphasizes forming national strategies based on country-specific conditions—such as market size, administrative capacity, and reliance on foreign direct investment. It highlights the importance of collective action to reduce trade risks and compliance burdens. Ultimately, while supporting multilateral solutions to avoid harmful tax fragmentation, countries must evaluate whether the benefits of participating outweigh administrative and economic costs. They should also prepare fallback options if global consensus on Pillar One fails.
In conclusion, the paper recommends adopting Pillar Two where possible and taking a cautious, strategic approach to Pillar One and unilateral measures, to ensure fair tax collection without undermining investment or creating excessive administrative burdens.Abstract ........................................................................................................................................ 4
I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 5
II. THE MULTILATERAL FRAMEWORK: STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR JOINING THE "TWO-PILLAR" SOLUTION ........................................................................................................ 6
2.1 What is the multilateral framework?................................................................................... 6
2.2 Strategic considerations for participating in the multilateral framework ................................ 9
2.3 Implications for Asia-Pacific regarding the two-pillar solution ........................................... 14
III. ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES TO THE MULTILATERAL FRAMEWORK (INCLUDING UNILATERAL/ INTERIM SOLUTIONS) ........................................................................................................... 16
3.1 Digital services taxes (DSTs) .......................................................................................... 16
3.2 Withholding taxes ......................................................................................................... 18
3.3 Other income tax solutions ............................................................................................. 19
3.4 VAT or GST solutions .................................................................................................... 19
3.5 Other indirect tax measures ........................................................................................... 20
3.6 Strategic considerations and issues in adopting unilateral solutions ................................... 20
IV. FORMING A NATIONAL STRATEGY.......................................................................................... 21
4.1 Steps and main considerations in formulating a national strategy ....................................... 21
4.2 Examining the position for different groups of Asia-Pacific developing countries ................ 24
V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ................................................................................................ 2
Evaluation of the project on building resilient agricultural practices by integrating geospatial information for agricultural monitoring in the Lower Mekong basin : an emphasis on rice condition
No full textThe evaluation aimed to ensure accountability while extracting lessons, challenges, and opportunities to inform ESCAP’s IDD, LMC agriculture ministries, partners, and academia for future space and geospatial interventions. It applied a three-pronged approach— summative, formative, and participatory—anchored in the project’s theory of change. Conducted in three phases, the methodology included desk reviews, an inception meeting with the Evaluation Reference Group, 20 key informant interviews (30% women), a survey analysis of capacity-building events, and a final synthesis. The report presents evidence-based findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations to guide future geospatial and agricultural resilience initiatives.Table of contents
Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................... 2
List of acronyms...................................................................................................................................... 3
Executive summary................................................................................................................................. 4
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 6
2. Description of the Project............................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Background ............................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 Project theory of change........................................................................................................... 8
2.3 Project strategies ...................................................................................................................... 9
2.4 Innovative elements ................................................................................................................. 9
2.5 Beneficiaries, target countries, and key partners...................................................................10
2.6 Resources................................................................................................................................ 10
3. Evaluation Scope and Methodology .............................................................................................11
3.1 Evaluation scope ..................................................................................................................... 11
3.2 Evaluation approach ............................................................................................................... 12
3.3 Data collection and analysis.................................................................................................... 12
3.4 Stakeholder analysis ............................................................................................................... 14
3.5 Sampling.................................................................................................................................. 14
3.6 Risks and limitations ............................................................................................................... 14
4. Evaluation Findings....................................................................................................................... 15
4.1 Impact ..................................................................................................................................... 15
4.2 Effectiveness........................................................................................................................... 17
4.3 Relevance................................................................................................................................ 20
4.4 Efficiency................................................................................................................................. 22
4.5 Sustainability........................................................................................................................... 23
4.6 Cross-cutting issues................................................................................................................. 24
5. Conclusion..................................................................................................................................... 26
Table 3: Rating .............................................................................................................................. 27
6. Good Practices and Lessons Learned............................................................................................28
6.1 Good Practices........................................................................................................................ 28
6.2 Lessons learned....................................................................................................................... 28
7. Recommendations........................................................................................................................ 30
ANNEXES ............................................................................................................................................... 33
Annex 1: Project’s theory of change............................................................................................33
Annex 2: Interview guide............................................................................................................. 34
Annex 3: Evaluation matrix.......................................................................................................... 36
Annex 4: Terms of reference........................................................................................................ 40
Annex 5: List of documents reviewed .........................................................................................45
Annex 6: List of KIIs...................................................................................................................... 46
Annex 7: Stakeholder Analysis .................................................................................................... 47
Annex 8: Key partners of the project ..........................................................................................4