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Innovation and good practices on one-stop hubs to support women entrepreneurs : a regional discussion paper
Get PDFEntrepreneurship helps promote innovation, offer employment and income generation opportunities, as well as address multiple challenges that can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It offers diversity through business participation and opportunity, and has the potential to contribute to women's empowerment, as well as help create opportunities to bridge regional and urban-rural gaps. Entrepreneurship is a critical element for driving economic growth. In Asia Pacific, micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the economy, accounting for an average 97 per cent of all enterprises and 69 per cent of the national labour force.Although many enterprises, both female and male-owned, face challenges, women entrepreneurs face additional layers of constraints, undermining their ability and potential to contribute to the economy. This is largely owing to existing gender inequalities in terms of gendered roles and the care burden, lower female labour force participation rates, and lower levels of engagement of women in wage employment and the formal sector, as compared to men.The objective of this paper is to showcase good practices of portals and hubs in the Asia Pacific region in support of women's entrepreneurship. The different types of approaches highlighted in the paper range from one-roof system (ORS) to facilitate business registration processes, entrepreneurship hubs which provide access to networks and knowledge, and one-stop shops (OSS) that offer support covering the life-cycle of a woman entrepreneur's journey. The paper also discusses good practice examples of building an entire ecosystem to support entrepreneurs, which may not specifically target women, but could be adapted towards this end. For ease of reference, the different approaches are referred to, under a generic term of OSS. This paper aims to build a case and spur discussion among countries in the region to adopt a comprehensive support system that can accelerate the potential of women's entrepreneurship in the region
Financing a sustainable recovery from Covid-19 and beyond in Asia-Pacific least developed countries
Get PDFThis policy brief will discuss the prominent sources of financing in LDCs, looking at trends prior to the pandemic, challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and opportunities for reforms and corrective measures to enhance the mobilization of financial resources for this group of countries.
Significant efforts are needed by LDCs to address the financing gaps in pursuit of sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. While the traditional sources of financing will continue to be a dominant source of financing, it is important that LDCs adopt more robust policies and reforms to scale up and use it more efficiently, specifically through strengthening tax administration and expenditure management systems, promoting FDIs and capital markets and aligning investments in SDG-related areas. For the medium- and long-term, LDCs should address the challenges gaps in policies, regulatory frameworks and institutional capacities that are necessary to tap into additional, innovative financing instruments. Proactive engagement with the private sector and other stakeholders in all phases is integral to ensure full mobilization of resources from all actors, sharing of responsibility, and thus complementarity and synergy from diverse sources. Multilateralism and cooperation at regional and global levels are a critical force to push forward collective agenda on international finance and assist LDCs in capacity-building, technical assistance to pursue policy implementation and reforms
Mainstreaming sustainable development in regional trade agreements : comparative analysis and way forward for RCEP
Get PDFIn this paper, we review the sustainable development content of regional trade agreements (RTAs) globally using a new ESCAP RTA Text Analysis tool, followed by a comparative analysis of sustainable development related provisions in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and two other recent “mega” regional trade agreements (RTAs), namely the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union – Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EU – Japan EPA). The EU-Japan EPA and the CPTPP follow different approaches as they have been drafted under the influence of the EU and the United States, respectively, while the RCEP was driven from within Asia-Pacific.
The analysis covers seven sustainable development-related topics: (1) sustainable development as a concept, (2) labour rights and standards, (3) environment (4) human rights, (5) small and medium-sized enterprises, (6) gender, and (7) health. The global review of RTA texts confirms the increasing reference to sustainable development and related areas in RTAs signed over the past decade. The comparative analysis of the three mega-RTAs in turn confirms the large gaps of RCEP in terms of sustainable development coverage. However, it also points to specific and practical ways through which RCEP could address these gaps in time to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – also drawing upon the interest expressed by many RCEP countries in joining CPTPP.
A two-step path forward and different options for integrating sustainable development in RCEP are proposed, based on existing provisions and the differing approaches of the CPTPP and the EU-Japan EPA. We hope this paper will provide useful guidance to RCEP members for enhancing the sustainable development content of the agreement in time for its upcoming five-year review.</p
Trade and trade barriers in vaccines and inputs to vaccine production in the Asia-Pacific region
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic re-emphasized the role of vaccines in prevention and control of outbreaks and infectious diseases, but not all countries are able to produce them. Limited domestic capacities combined with other bottlenecks have often resulted in vaccine stockouts in many countries. In this context, international trade could be instrumental in overcoming challenges pertaining to vaccine availability. This study is an analysis of trade and trade barriers related to vaccines and vaccine inputs in the Asia-Pacific region, the second largest regional trader of vaccine inputs. Using trade-related data of the Asia-Pacific region, we find that while there was high dependence of this region on vaccine imports from the rest of the world, there was significant intraregional trade in vaccine inputs during the last two decades. Analysis of tariff data shows that vaccines remained duty free or at low tariffs in many countries within this region while several non-tariff measures from the pre-COVID-19 period still continued. This study includes results from a primary survey of stakeholders concerned with vaccine production and trade in India. Being a significant player for vaccines in the Asia-Pacific region, experiences from India can provide substantial insights and takeaways for other trading nations. The interview results highlighted that tariffs were not particularly important for COVID-19 vaccines, but Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) played a crucial role in vaccine trade. Our findings imply the need for diversification of import sources of vaccines and vaccine inputs; lowering of tariffs; reduction in export restrictions; promoting regulatory coherence to enhance intraregional trade of vaccines within the region; emphasizing the development of transportation and storage capabilities in poor countries in addition to ensuring the supply of vaccines through trade and the use of trade agreements to ease trade restrictions
Pacific perspectives 2022 : accelerating climate action
Get PDFThe Pacific region is at a crossroads. The advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals aspirationsacross all sectors are facing the test of international solidarity. The Pacific Small Island Developing States(PSIDS) contribute less than 0.03 per cent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions but are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They are made up of a land area of only half a million square kilometres, and of low-lying atolls that do not reach more than a few meters above current sea levels.
In this regard, the key theme of this year’s Pacific Perspectives 2022: Accelerating Climate Action is integration. This publication focuses on the disaster-climate-health nexus (Chapter 1); strengtheningocean and climate synergies (Chapter 2); promoting climate-smart and digital trade policy measures (Chapter 3); and enabling a sustainable energy transition (Chapter 4). It is clear that climate actions must not only be scaled up, but also integrated across these various sectors. It is clear that climate actions must not only be scaled up, but also integrated across these various sectors. ESCAP remains committed to accelerating climate action through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific
2022 : Leaving no one behind : Indonesia 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 Indonesia 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 Indonesia. </p
Accelerating one health in Asia and the Pacific
Get PDFThe health of humans, animals, and the environment are closely intertwined—human health in particular heavily depends on the health of the others. Unsustainable practices in agriculture, natural resources management, and urbanization, as well as international movement, and the increasing use of antibiotics negatively impact the health of the environment and the species that live in them, humans included.
The One Health concept recognizes these connections between humans, animals, plants, and the environment and promotes collaboration between multiple levels, sectors, and disciplines to address the multifaceted environmental challenges that the Asia-Pacific region faces. It is a key approach to mitigating and managing the risk of zoonoses, to address anti-microbial resistance as well as issues related to plant and animal health, and food safety.
While One Health is not a new concept, it could be strengthened to encompass the full scope of the environment and its implementation faces multiple challenges: the lack of, political support, financing, capacity building, monitoring, and evaluation as well as surveillance. Moreover, a strengthened collaboration between all relevant disciplines and actors, and at all levels is required to ensure impactful application of One Health concept in Asia and the Pacific and effective contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.</p
Readiness assessment for cross-border paperless trade : Philippines
No full textThis report provides an assessment of the Philippines’ readiness for cross-border paperless trade, i.e., the conduct of international trade based on electronic data and documents.A team of experts conducted this assessment following readiness checklists developed by the ESCAP Interim Intergovernmental Steering Group on Cross-Border Paperless Trade Facilitation, of which the Philippines is a member. National consultation on facilitating cross-border paperless trade was co-organized by the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) and ESCAP on 8 March 2021, when preliminary findings from the visits and interviews were further reviewed, consolidated and validated. The second national consultation was held on 29 June 2021 to discuss the initial recommendations and action plan and get the agencies’ comments and inputs. The draft report was also presented for further feedback and validation at the 3rd National Single Window - Technical Working Group (NSW-TWG) meeting on 31 August 2021. All inputs from these consultations and meetings are incorporated in this report.
Following a brief overview of trade facilitation implementation in the Philippines, findings from the technical and legal readiness assessments for cross-border paperless trade are presented. Recommendations on the technical and the legal aspects of cross-border paperless trade are then provided, followed by an initial action plan for the Philippines to move forward. The complete set of Cross-Border Paperless Trade Readiness Assessment reports can be accessed : Readiness Assessments for Cross-Border Paperless Trade.</p
How to design paid maternity and paternity leave policies
No full textThis is the eighth in a series of primers developed to support policymakers and practitioners in Asia and the Pacific in their efforts to strengthen social protection. The primer presents key design features to ensure the right to maternity leave and maternity cash benefits. It also addresses the need for additional care leave schemes and benefits.
The first primer in this series explores why social protection is needed; the second explains how to design inclusive and robust social protection systems and focuses on tax-financed income security; the third focuses on its effective implementation; the fourth discusses options for financing; the fifth highlights key concepts and schemes required for disability-inclusive social protection; the sixth illustrates how the design of social protection systems can either exacerbate or mitigate the disadvantage women; and the seventh highlights key design elements in developing an inclusive and comprehensive old age pension system.</p
ESCAP population data sheet 2022
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 2022 Population Data Sheet focuses on overall population and development indicators, with some information on the impact of COVID-19 on mortality and the vaccination status of the population.
Click here to see the 2022 ESCAP population data insights