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Regulatory sandbox guideline on Fintech for the Maldives Monetary Authority
Get PDFThis Guideline on Regulatory Sandbox for Fintech is developed for the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).1 The purpose of this Guideline is to provide guidance to the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) and the businesses and institutions regulated by the MMA engaged in experimenting with financial technology (Fintech) within a controlled production environment.
The goal of the Regulatory Sandbox is to facilitate a better understanding of the opportunities and risks of using Fintech in the Maldives. It creates a safe space to support the growth of Fintech startups, by mitigating risks and facilitating faster and cost-effective introduction of new digital innovative Fintech solutions.
This Guideline is the result of a consolidation of insights derived from country consultations and background research. In particular, this Guideline builds on earlier work of this project including the National Study on Central Bank Digital Currency in the Maldives;2 the National Stakeholder Survey on Maldives Capability to Implement Central Bank Digital Currency;3 and the Regulatory Sandbox Framework for Central Bank Digital Currency and FinTech in the Maldives.4
The key components of this Guideline include general entry conditions and eligibility criteria, covering legal compliance, financial stability, innovation and technology, expertise and experience, technological capability, consumer benefits, security and risk management, compliance with regulatory obligations, regulatory due diligence, test scenarios and reporting, risk assessment and mitigation, capacity for collaboration, and exit plans. These stringent requirements are in place to ensure that participants possess the necessary qualifications, capabilities, and commitments to contribute effectively to the Regulatory Sandbox.
Another key component of this Guideline involves the submission of an application form accompanied by supporting documents, with the MMA retaining the discretion to waive or modify requirements. The MMA rigorously assesses fitness, eligibility criteria, and other relevant factors during both the Application and Evaluation Stages, providing constructive feedback to applicants.
The Guideline also covers extension, variation, withdrawal, suspension, and revocation of a permit, with specific conditions and limitations imposed on Regulatory Sandbox participants. Reporting obligations are also outlined, including the submission of interim and final reports containing statistical information, key issues observed, actions taken, and lessons learned. The Guideline concludes with miscellaneous provisions and conditions, emphasizing the dynamic and evolving nature of the Regulatory Sandbox.</p
National strategy for electrification of public transport in Nepal
Get PDFNepal, as a signatory of the Paris Agreement, filed its second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2020. The NDC set a target for the adaptation of electric vehicles in the country’s public transport sector. Specifically, the goal is to have 20% of four-wheeler public vehicles sold in 2025 to be electric, with the share progressively growing to 60% by 2030. Additionally, the plan aims to develop 200 km of the electric rail network by 2030. Apart from the Paris Agreement commitments, Nepal is an active member of several coalitions that advocate against climate change and promote sustainable transport development. Several national policy documents also broadly support the adoption of electric vehicles in the public transport sector. This strategy document is outcome of review of existing policies and practices and consultation with electric mobility stakeholders in Nepal. This National Strategy for Electrification of Public Transport in Nepal highlights the state of the public transport ecosystem, identifies the barriers to transition to electric public transport in Nepal, and recommends strategic actions to overcome these barriers. </p
Disability at a glance 2023 : catalysts of change : disability inclusion in business in Asia and the Pacific
Get PDFDisability-inclusive business opens a new horizon to accelerate the effective implementation of disability-inclusive development. Disability-inclusive development ensures the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all their diversity and the promotion and practice of mainstreaming their rights into all areas of development.
Business has a pivotal role to play in accelerating disability-inclusive development through practising the inclusion and ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities in all aspects of the business value chain by engaging persons with disabilities as leaders, employees, consumers, suppliers/distributors, subject experts and valued stakeholders.
Disability at a Glance 2023: Catalysts of Change: Disability Inclusion in Business in Asia and the Pacific provides an in-depth examination of disability-inclusive business. The target audience of the publication is member States and associate members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and businesses in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as other stakeholders working on disability inclusion. The publication presents fundamental concepts, key components of fostering disability-inclusive business, and good practices and data, and provides recommendations for businesses and governments.</p
ESCAP population data sheet 2023
Get PDFThe Population Data Sheet, published annually by ESCAP, features a range of key indicators on population and development. The focus is on population size, structure and growth rates, as well as fertility, mortality and migration, at country, subregional and regional levels. The Data Sheet is a useful reference tool for researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders.
The 2023 Population Data Sheet focuses on overall population and development indicators, providing updated insights for the year. Click here to see the 2023 ESCAP Population Data Insights.</p
2023 : Leaving no one behind : Viet Nam country brief
No full textLeaving No One Behind (LNOB) tool helps discover how different circumstances interact to create unequal access to basic opportunities in Asia and the Pacific. The LNOB country brief for Viet Nam provides insights into which groups are further ahead and further behind in various SDG indicators and where the biggest gaps are found in terms of access to opportunities or prevalence of barriers between the furthest behind and the furthest ahead groups in Viet Nam. </p
Evaluation of the project on Transboundary cooperation on the conservation of Amur tigers, Amur leopards and Snow leopards in North-East Asia
Get PDFThe United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia (SOENEA) implemented the project on Transboundary cooperation on the conservation of Amur tigers, Amur leopards and Snow leopards in North-East Asia from January 2020 to December 2022 in the transborder regions in China, Mongolia and the Russian Federation.
The main objective of the project was to establish a coordinated cooperation mechanism in the
transboundary areas through research, field study and capacity-building for the conservation of big feline species. The project's components included transboundary cooperation between the Northeast Tiger and
Leopard National Park (TLNP) of China and the Land of the Leopard National Park (LLNP) of the Russian
Federation, collaboration between neighbouring protected areas in the Lesser Khingan Mountains to
conserve Amur tigers, and an assessment of the current status of two snow leopard subpopulations
in the transboundary area between Mongolia and the Russian Federation.</p
Asia-Pacific trade and investment trends brief 2022/2023 : Vanuatu
No full textThis brief covers recent trends and developments in trade and investment. It has been produced as an accompaniment to the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2022/2023.</p
Accelerating Progress in SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities) in South and South-West Asia region
Get PDFThe South and South-West Asia (SSWA) subregion faces significant challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. It is far from achieving targets of all 17 goals and thus urgent action is required to be on track for meeting the SDGs. This paper explores the status and progress of SSWA countries in relation to SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) as it is still one of the areas where serious challenges remain. Rapid urbanization has not been sustainable due to a growth in informal settlements, lack of adequate basic services, unsustainable transport systems, proper waste management, air and water pollution, and proper sanitation facilities. These constant barriers pose significant risks to public health, environment, and quality of life. The paper suggests that addressing these challenges, forging stronger networks among countries to share knowledge, good practices, and capacity-building, enforcing timely and appropriate policies, developing capacities of critical stakeholders, encouraging circular economy and smart cities, and making cities green, safe, resilient, and inclusive are essential for the region to be back on track in SDG-11. Addressing these issues will also positively impact other SDGs including, but not limited to, SDG-5 (Gender Equality), SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG-8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG-13 (Climate Action).
JEL Codes(s): I32, L91, N15, O20, P18, Q53, RThe South and South-West Asia (SSWA) subregion faces significant challenges in achieving
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. It is far from achieving targets of all 17 goals
and thus urgent action is required to be on track for meeting the SDGs. This paper explores the
status and progress of SSWA countries in relation to SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and
Communities) as it is still one of the areas where serious challenges remain. Rapid urbanization
has not been sustainable due to a growth in informal settlements, lack of adequate basic services,
unsustainable transport systems, proper waste management, air and water pollution, and proper
sanitation facilities. These constant barriers pose significant risks to public health, environment,
and quality of life. The paper suggests that addressing these challenges, forging stronger networks
among countries to share knowledge, good practices, and capacity-building, enforcing timely and
appropriate policies, developing capacities of critical stakeholders, encouraging circular economy
and smart cities, and making cities green, safe, resilient, and inclusive are essential for the region
to be back on track in SDG-11. Addressing these issues will also positively impact other SDGs
including, but not limited to, SDG-5 (Gender Equality), SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation),
SDG-8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG-13 (Climate Action)
Asia-Pacific trade and investment trends brief 2022/2023 : Pakistan
No full textThis brief covers recent trends and developments in trade and investment. It has been produced as an accompaniment to the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2022/2023.</p