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SDG 7 localisation snapshot : Science City of Muñoz, Philippines
Get PDFSDG7 Localisation Snapshot provides a brief overview of the key areas related to implementation of the Sustainable Goal 7 (SDG7) to ‘Ensure access to affordable, reliable,
sustainable and modern energy for all’ at the local level based on the answers provided by the jurisdiction to the SDG7 Localisation questionnaire.
Questionnaire allowed to collect the assessments from the local officials regarding the situation on the implementation of SDG7 in their jurisdiction. SDG7 Localisation Snapshot
is a part of the collaborative project of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to
support city and sub-national governments in accelerating their efforts in the field of sustainable energy. SDG 7 Localisation Snapshots are short publications of the cities’ self-assessment regarding their capacity and availability of policies, actions and resources for supporting SDG 7 localisation. The Snapshots can download here
Preferential trade agreements in Asia and the Pacific 2021/2022 : trends and developments
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The Asia-Pacific region is a major contributor of PTAs, accounting for about half of PTAs worldwide. As of November 2021, there are 195 PTAs in force, 19 signed and pending ratification, and 97 under negotiation, that have at least one Party from the Asia-Pacific region.
Negotiations on many ongoing PTAs were suspended or delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as countries shifted their attention to health emergencies and economic contractions. Notably, fewer PTAs have been signed since the outbreak of COVID-19. Only four new agreements were signed in 2021 (as of November), a decline from 13 in 2019 and 11 in 2020.
In 2021, however, there have been important developments with regard to mega-trade agreements. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has been ratified by six ASEAN countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam – and four non-ASEAN members – Australia, China, Japan and New Zealand. With ratification by 10 out of 15 member States, the RCEP will take effect on 1 January 2022. For the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), China’s application to join sends a good signal regarding the future expansion of this golden-standard mega trade agreement.
More noteworthy than the number of new PTAs is the growing array of domestic policy domains that PTAs have come to regulate. Most agreements that have been signed since 2020 onward go beyond trade in goods to cover additional areas such as services, e-commerce, and climate action which lie at the top of the new agenda items for PTA negotiations.
Recently, liberalization of the digital trade environment and digital trade-related regulations have been embraced by trade negotiations. Following the growing intertwining of digital technology and trade, Digital Trade Agreements (DTAs) have increasingly become a part of new generation trade agreements since 2019. As of 2021, there are five DTAs, all of which involve Asia-Pacific countries, particularly Singapore. In recognition of the centrality of digital trade integration for developing countries, bilateral discussions for potential North-South DTAs have begun, particularly in ASEAN. However, there is a risk that such bilateral discussions could lead to divergent rules, resulting in a ‘digital noodle-bowl’.
On average, about half of trade in the region is with PTA partners. However, the shares vary greatly at the country level, reflecting diverse policy interest and negotiating capacity across countries. In general, reciprocal trade negotiations rarely involve least developed countries (LDCs) and Pacific developing economies (PIDEs). Selected graduating LDCs could face important challenges to maintaining competitiveness in major export markets after graduation. For example, Bangladesh and the Solomon Islands as well as Kiribati and Tuvalu may face significant challenges to competing in major export destinations after graduation and may lose trade preference. These countries currently have not had PTAs with major trade partners. Their exports to current PTA partners are negligible, ranging between 3% and 11%.
Looking ahead, the downside economic pressures and the temptation to build back better could raise public expectations for trade agreements. As a result, social and environmental provisions in PTAs may emerge among the top items on the negotiation agenda, to ensure public support for a new PTA. Also, lessons learnt from supply-chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic may call for deeper and more tailored trade agreements that could help to enhance supply-chain and trade resilience on many aspects during crises. To name a few, PTA provisions regarding NTMs, trade facilitation and intellectual properties rights (IPRs) could play a particularly important role in ensuring essential supplies.
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Digital economy integration in Asia and the Pacific : insights from DigiSRII 1.0
Get PDFIn this paper, we utilize ESCAP (2020)’s framework of Digital and Sustainable Regional Integration Index version 1 (DigiSRII 1.0) to uncover digital economy integration trends across Asia-Pacific region. The results show that Asia and the Pacific has progressed well on conventional digital economy integration, especially due to significant improvements on digital-economy infrastructure and ICT goods trade liberalization. However, workforce capacitation and infrastructures investments are essential to bridge digitalization gaps between digitalized economies in the region. Moreover, the fairly low regulatory similarity between regional economies further highlights the importance of regional regulatory harmonization in order to foster regional trade in digitally-enabled goods and services. From a sustainable development perspective, inclusivity and equity of access to digitalization and required infrastructure remain key challenges. It is found that while internet penetration in the region has been getting higher, female participation in digital economy is relatively low in general and extremely low in low-income economies. In addition, there is room to enhance cybersecurity in most of Asia-Pacific economies. Regional digital policies should focus on harmonizing data protection protocols and building a safer network of servers that can promote economic activity and sensitive matters to be conducted online. Fostering a more inclusive digital transformation may considerably boost network-effects and accelerate the transition to a competitive and sustainable regional digital economy.</p
Getting every one in the picture : a snapshot of progress midway through the Asian and Pacific civil registration and vital statistics decade
Get PDFAsia and the Pacific has reached the midpoint of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Decade (2015-2024). The Decade is dedicated to achieving universal and responsive CRVS systems for everyone. CRVS systems provide individuals with a legal identity, facilitate access to public services, and support governments by producing better data to guide decision making.
The report shows that the Asia-Pacific region is on the right path to reaching goals of universal and responsive CRVS systems. CRVS systems are much better positioned to respond to the crisis than they would have been five years ago. With further acceleration of efforts, governments can ensure the catalytic changes to reach those furthest behind.
In this report, you will find a review of the progress made by countries in the Asia-Pacific region since the beginning of the Decade. It highlights achievements and challenges remaining for the second half of the Decade. Successes of countries and partners are brought to life, providing a snapshot of CRVS in the region.</p
2020 older persons in ASEAN in numbers
Get PDFThe datasheet “2020 Older persons in ASEAN in numbers” provides data on key indicators to reflect the status of population ageing and the situation of older persons in Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The indicators range from population indicators such as numbers and percentages of older persons of different age cohorts, disaggregated by men and women, as well as indicators on health, employment, social protection, internet use, education and living arrangements. The datasheet is a tool for reference by policymakers, stakeholders and researchers to design policies to implement the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Ageing: Empowering Older Persons in ASEAN
Energy transition pathways for the 2030 agenda : SDG7 roadmap for Viet Nam
No full textThe key objective of this SDG 7 road map is to assist the Government of Viet Nam to develop enabling policy measures to achieve the SDG 7 targets. This road map contains a matrix of technological options and enabling policy measures for the Government to consider. It presents three key scenarios – current policy, SDG and coal phase-out scenarios – that have been developed using national data, and which consider existing energy policies and strategies, and reflect on other development plans. These scenarios are expected to enable the Government to make an informed decision to develop and implement a set of policies to achieve SDG 7 by 2030, together with the NDC.</p
Quick guide on digital COVID-19 certificates : re-enabling cross-border travel
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected economies around the world and drastically reduced international travel and tourism. Millions of jobs have now been lost in this sector in Asia and the Pacific. As vaccination programmes roll out within the region and across the globe, countries are seeking to reopen their borders and/or lift quarantine requirements for visitors who have been vaccinated. In this regard, measures for verification of individuals’ vaccination status, particularly inbound travelers, are key to facilitating country re-openings and the recovery of travel and tourism.
This quick guide provides an overview of digital COVID-19 certificates (with a focus on vaccination) for the purpose of cross-border travel. It is targeted at governments and policymakers in the Asia-Pacific region who are vaccinating their population – or have reached a certain level of vaccination rate – and are interested in:
establishing domestic digital COVID-19 certificate systems, as well as cooperation and mutual recognition of systems from different countries; or
verifying the COVID-19 vaccination status of inbound travelers, without necessarily setting up a system for domestic digital certificates.
Contents include the current global landscape and challenges, key technical guidance from intergovernmental entities, suggestions for the design and implementation of digital COVID-19 certificate systems, upcoming resources, “next-step” guiding questions for policymakers, and an annex of example digital COVID-19 certificate systems.
This guide was developed as a follow-up to the ESCAP/WHO Regional Workshop on Digital COVID Certificate in support of cross-border travel and tourism recovery held on 16 Sep 2021.</p
RECIPRO: CITY. Issue No. 05
No full textThe RECIPRO:CITY Northeast Asia Special Edition (Issue No. 05), published by the Urban SDG Knowledge Platform in collaboration with CityNet, UNESCAP, and Seoul Metropolitan Government, showcases innovative urban policies and sustainable development practices from China, Japan, Mongolia, and the Republic of Korea
Presentation. Promoting efficient internet traffic management through Internet Exchange Points. Second Session of the SPECA Working Group on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development and Subregional workshop: Action plan of the SPECA Innovation Strategy for Sustainable Development
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