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Active labour market policies in Asia and the Pacific : a review of the literature
Get PDFThis paper reviews the evidence on the effectiveness of active labour market programmes in low- and middle-income countries with high informality, highlighting examples of interventions that have been implemented in combination with other policies including social protection measures. In reviewing the literature, we adopt a scoping review methodology to identify studies that look at a range of programme outcomes including earnings, employment, formality and productivity. We include studies from 2000 onwards, and after a thorough selection and screening process we end up with 106 papers for the review. Most of these studies find some positive aspect associated with the programme under study, although significant positive aspects are in many cases contingent on a specific target population, or time frame of programme and evaluation. We employ a theory of change conceptual framework to further discuss the channels, mechanisms and assumptions that are seen to underpin programme effectiveness (or the lack of). Success often depends on specific contextual factors and/or the joint implementation of different types of active and/or passive labour market policies, including specific social protection measures or other public policies.</p
Promoting ICT connectivity through internet exchange points in South-East Asia
Get PDFThe Asia-Pacific region has witnessed marked improvements in digital connectivity and digital transformation thanks to innovative information and communications technology (ICT) development. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the vital roles of digital technology and connectivity in making societies safer, more resilient and connected in the region. However, inefficiencies in connectivity remain a challenge in South-East Asia. The subregion still needs to build more of its scarce network infrastructure to meet demands.
In this context, this working paper analyses the status of cross-border connectivity in four South-East Asian countries – Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and Thailand (CLVT), and proposes a network promotion construction plan to strengthen cross-border connectivity between CLVT and improve Internet traffic management.</p
Enabling the green transition of business : policy approaches from Asia and the Pacific and Latin America
No full textAs the United Nations Secretary General noted in November 2022 during the twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the world is on “a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator”. In order to address the scale of this challenge at the required pace, Governments and businesses must work in unison and rapidly transform their economies. Supporting policymakers from 10 countries in Asia and the Pacific and Latin America to scale up their efforts in promoting the green transition of business, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in partnership with the Government of Colombia convened a community of practice for these policymakers and developed this report in collaboration with them. The 10 countries represented in the community of practice are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Peru, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand. This report is structured according to the framework of the impact economy policy toolbox, shown in the figure below. It highlights examples of existing policy measures implemented in the 10 countries represented in the community of practice. The case studies are organized according to three functions of Governments in their interaction with the private sector.(1) Market facilitator – Creating strategies and organizations that set the direction and enable the implementation of the green transition of business. (2) Market regulator – Implementing laws that enable, support and incentivize the green transition of business. (3) Market participant – Taking part in market exchanges by providing capital or sourcing from green enterprises. This framework can serve as a toolbox to identify policy gaps and opportunities for government measures to promote the green transition of business and the transition to a green economy.</p
Promoting decent work opportunities for older persons in the Asia-Pacific region in the context of the fourth industrial revolution
Get PDFThe paper is based on research originating from a project on “Expanding education and training opportunities for older persons in the Asia-Pacific region: Strengthening their labour force participation in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution” funded
by the Republic of KoreaThe populations of countries in the Asia-Pacific region are ageing at an unprecedented pace. There are variations across countries, yet all are moving in the direction of increasing absolute numbers and
proportions of older persons. Population ageing is driven by declining fertility and mortality, coupled with increased longevity, or the demographic transition. Overall, it is the result of successful economic and social development, and as such, rising life expectancy should be celebrated as one of humanity’s major achievements. While the region is still demographically diverse and the pace and onset of the demographic transition varies, sooner or later, all countries will experience population ageing. These changes are affecting the future of work, as the number of people in the workforce eventually declines and the number of older persons increases. Individuals may work longer, continuing to contribute to society. Moreover, the future of work will be affected by climate change, future health crises/pandemics, and the technological advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. All of these changes are expected to particularly affect older persons, while requiring investments in skills development, decent work for all and age-friendly work environments. To prepare for these changes, solutions should be sought to continue, and build upon, the successes of economic and social development seen over the past decades. This paper concludes with a number of recommendations to ensure that older persons have opportunities for decent work in old age. The main recommendations refer to the creation of decent and sustainable work for all, regardless of age; the elimination of mandatory retirement ages; the introduction of flexible work arrangements and age-friendly workplaces; incentives for employers to rehire and retain older workers; reskilling and retraining of older workers, in particular with a view to digital literacy; and support to women over the life course, to invest in education and work, so that they have an opportunity to seek work outside the home, if they want
Climate change and population ageing in Asia-Pacific region : status, challenges and opportunities
Get PDFThis paper assesses the latest evidence on climate change and population ageing in the Asia-Pacific region. It outlines implications climate change will have on meeting the objectives of MIPAA and the 2030 Agenda. The paper calls for a coherent policy approach that is inclusive and forward-looking. One that protects older persons from climate impacts, reduces their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and harnesses their potential in climate action. It outlines several recommendations to support Asia-Pacific countries in considering the intersection between climate change and population ageing in the above-mentioned Regional Review. Importantly, it recognizes that older persons must have a voice in climate action.</p
2022 : Leaving no one behind : Tajikistan 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 Tajikistan 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 Tajikistan. </p
Digital and sustainable trade facilitation : global report 2021
No full textBased on the fourth United Nations global survey on digital and sustainable trade facilitation.This report reviews the progress of trade facilitation reforms across 144 countries, based on the fourth UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. The analysis is based on 58 trade facilitation measures that are classified into four groups (General Trade Facilitation, Digital Trade Facilitation, Sustainable Trade Facilitation and Other Trade Facilitation) covering both binding and non-binding WTO TFA measures, as well as measures beyond the scope of WTO TFA. The report aims at enabling countries and development partners to take a forward-looking approach to trade facilitation, better understand and monitor progress, support evidence-based public policies, share best practices, and identify emerging capacity-building and technical assistance needs.</p
Frontier ICTs for sustainable development for digital leaders : submodule B : blockchain
No full textBlockchain technologies have seen growing adoption in the last decade. At first, blockchain technology appeared as part of a novelty and alternative electronic payment systems, and with time, it has moved to become an essential part of a growing ecosystem of different blockchain-based solutions and applications. Blockchain technology has the capacity to disrupt the business model of organizations and businesses as we know it.
The applicability of this disruptive technology, its potential role in global sustainable development, and the achievement of the SDGs make it a part of frontier technologies that needs to be understood and exploited in favor of sustainability. However, if individuals, companies, or countries intend to adopt, exploit or implement blockchain technology for their benefit, it is necessary to understand not only the benefits and opportunities but also the risks and challenges created by this technology.
Therefore, this section provides an explanation of blockchain technology by analyzing the current trend in academic research, use cases of the technology, and national strategies of countries adopting blockchain technology. Organizations and governments that plan or consider implementing policies or initiatives relative to blockchain technology can use this guide as a starting point for their future agenda.</p