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The role of grids in energy transitions
No full textThis working paper builds on the findings of a regional project that developed a pilot framework for assessing the state of electricity grids and their readiness to integrate more renewable energy. Like this readiness assessment, it identifies critical challenges—such as aging infrastructure, financing gaps, and regulatory constraints—and outlines policy options to accelerate grid development. By supporting informed decision-making and collaborative action, this paper aims to help Asia-Pacific countries build resilient and flexible grid systems necessary for a successful clean energy transition.INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................4
I: THE IMPORTANCE OF GRID DEVELOPMENT.......................................................................................5
II: COP29 GREEN PLEDGES AND NEXT STEPS.......................................................................................7
III: CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH GRIDS DEVELOPMENT.............................................................9
IV: RECOMMENDATIONS AND NEXT STEPS........................................................................................
Disaster-related Statistics and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics systems : working paper on the nexus between disaster-related statistics and civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS)
No full textThis background paper introduces the existing and potential contributions of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems to the production of disaster-related statistics. Understanding the nexus between CRVS and official disaster-related statistics requires an understanding of the different methodologies and sources used to produce official statistics, an overview of which is presented here.
This paper highlights the fact that CRVS systems can be used to enhance official population and demography exposure estimation that forms a key element of disaster-related statistics. This includes the combination of data from CRVS systems with complementary sources, such as population censuses and other sources of administrative data. Many countries in Asia and the Pacific are shifting towards more continuously updated official population and demography data via population registers, which depend directly on CRVS systems, with advantages of more timely and granulated exposure information for disaster response, recovery, preparedness and mitigation.
Also presented in this paper is a detailed clarification on the conceptual and measurement basis on evacuated, relocated, internally displaced and internationally displaced populations due to disasters. Registration of displaced individuals, including via mobile registration and emergency shelter registration, is understood to be a powerful source of data to be utilised to support the production of statistics for population displacement-related impacts.
The paper then explores various methods of directly and indirectly attributing impacts to disaster events. Direct attribution can be achieved by monitoring trends on cause-of-death, reported in CRVS systems. One challenge of this is that many deaths go unregistered or are not assigned a cause of death according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Indirect attribution can be estimated via the use of excess mortality, or via excess impacts, a concept defined in this paper, which extends excess mortality to other disaster impact types by looking at other vital statistics such as marriage rates.Contents
- - Figures and Tables
Abstract
Abbreviations
Introduction
- - Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems
- - Measuring Official Population & Demographics
- - Disaster-related Statistics
The Nexus of CRVS Systems and Disaster-related Statistics
- - Population Exposure and CRVS Systems
- - Disaster Impacts and CRVS Systems
- - Disaster Impact-Attribution and CRVS Systems
Conclusions
Open Source Documentation
Annex 1: Introduction to CRVS
Annex 2: Measuring Population and Demography
Annex 3: Disasters
Annex 4: Census Information for Asia and the Pacific
Annex 5: Case-StudiesContents ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Figures and Tables ............................................................................................................................... 4
Abstract .................................................................................................................................................... 5
Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 7
Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems ................................................................................... 7
Measuring Official Population & Demographics ................................................................................. 8
Disaster-related Statistics .................................................................................................................... 9
The Nexus of CRVS Systems and Disaster-related Statistics ............................................................. 11
Population Exposure and CRVS Systems .......................................................................................... 11
Disaster Impacts and CRVS Systems ................................................................................................ 15
Disaster Impact-Attribution and CRVS Systems ............................................................................... 21
Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................ 33
Open Source Documentation ................................................................................................................. 35
Annex 1: Introduction to CRVS ............................................................................................................... 36
Annex 2: Measuring Population and Demography ............................................................................... 43
Annex 3: Disasters ................................................................................................................................. 54
Annex 4: Census Information for Asia and the Pacific ........................................................................ 64
Annex 5: Case-Studies ............................................................................................................................ 65
M. Yaylakhanyan - Ministry of Justice, Republic of Armenia ........................................................... 65
R. Dorji - National Statistics Bureau, Bhutan ..................................................................................... 65
N. I. Cahyaningrum - BPS-Statistics Indonesia ................................................................................. 66
D. R. Joshi - Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal .................................................................................... 67
N. Palangyos - Philippine Statistics Authority ................................................................................... 68
I. Hajzmanova - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) ................................................. 68
S. Qader - WorldPop ............................................................................................................................ 69
D. Delforge - Catholic University of Louvain ...................................................................................... 70
Conclusion of Use-Cases .................................................................................................................... 7
Progress made on civil registration and vital statistics in Asia and the Pacific after a decade of getting every one in the picture
No full textThe 2025 Report on Progress Made on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific 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 latter half of the Decade. Successes of countries and partners are brought to life, providing a snapshot of CRVS in the region
Asia-Pacific regional guidelines for smart cities : people-environment-technology nexus
No full textThe Asia-Pacific Regional Guidelines for Smart Cities: People–Environment–Technology Nexus present a strategic framework to guide national and local governments in designing and implementing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable smart city initiatives. Developed through broad consultations with member States, experts, and urban practitioners, the guidelines respond to the region’s rapid urbanization and digital transformation by promoting a comprehensive approach to smart city development aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Central to the guidelines is the People–Environment–Technology Nexus, which emphasizes the interdependence of human well-being, environmental sustainability, and digital innovation. Rather than focusing solely on technological advancement, the guidelines underscore the importance of leveraging digital solutions to improve public service delivery, enhance environmental stewardship, foster inclusive economic growth, and strengthen urban governance.
The guidelines are anchored in six core principles to ensure that smart city development remains equitable, future-ready, and adaptive:
1. People-centred and inclusive – placing residents at the heart of urban transformation to promote accessibility, participation, and social equity;
2. Sustainable and resilient – integrating climate adaptation, low-carbon development, and resource efficiency;
3. Safe and transparent – safeguarding digital rights through data privacy, cybersecurity, and accountable governance;
4. Scalable and interoperable – enabling integrated digital infrastructure and seamless coordination across urban systems;
5. Collaborative and enabling – fostering partnerships across sectors, levels of government, and communities; and
6. Efficient and adaptable – ensuring cities can respond to evolving challenges with agility and foresight.
Grounded in regional analysis and best practices, the guidelines provide practical tools for developing national smart city strategies, supporting local implementation, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems. They promote the integration of key urban domains—such as urban planning, environment, governance, health and wellbeing, and economy —to enable cohesive and effective smart city initiatives.
By advancing holistic, inclusive, and data-driven urban strategies, the guidelines aim to equip cities across Asia and the Pacific with the tools needed to become more resilient, livable, and future-ready. ESCAP remains committed to working with member States and partners to scale smart city solutions that contribute meaningfully to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring no one is left behind.FOREWORD .......................................................................................................................................1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................................2
List of Figures...............................................................................................................................5
List of Tables................................................................................................................................5
ACRONYMS........................................................................................................................................6
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................................................7
Introduction.................................................................................................................................7
Purpose and Scope of the Guidelines .............................................................................................7
Key Regional Messages .................................................................................................................8
Structure of the Guidelines ............................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 1. ADVANCING SMART CITIES IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC: PEOPLE, TECHNOLOGY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL NEXUS..................................................................................................................10
1.1 THE SMART CITY IMPERATIVE IN A CHANGING REGION..............................................................................10
1.2 INTEGRATING SMART CITY PRINCIPLES ACROSS URBAN DOMAINS ..............................................................10
1.3 BRIDGING GAPS FOR INCLUSIVE SMART CITIES .......................................................................................12
1.4 MOVING TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE AND INCLUSIVE SMART CITY MODEL..................................................13
1.5 ACCELERATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS...........................................14
CHAPTER 2. GUIDING COMPREHENSIVE SMART CITY DEVELOPMENT ................................................17
2.1 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................................17
2.2 SMART CITY DEFINITION.....................................................................................................................18
2.3 INCLUSIVE SMART CITY ......................................................................................................................20
2.4 KEY PRINCIPLES FOR SMART CITY DEVELOPMENT....................................................................................22
2.4.1 People-centred and inclusive ..............................................................................................23
2.4.2 Sustainable and resilient .....................................................................................................23
2.4.3 Safe and transparent ..........................................................................................................24
2.4.4 Scalable and interoperable..................................................................................................26
2.4.5 Collaborative and enabling ..................................................................................................27
2.4.6 Efficient and adaptable .......................................................................................................28
2.5 SMART CITY DOMAINS .......................................................................................................................30
CHAPTER 3. REGIONAL SMART CITY LANDSCAPE AND EMERGING BEST PRACTICES ...........................38
3.1 ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL SMART CITY STRATEGIES AND DIGITAL STRATEGIES ACROSS ASIA AND THE PACIFIC.......38
3.2 DISTINGUISHING NATIONAL SMART CITY STRATEGY FROM DIGITAL STRATEGIES .............................................39
3.3 SUBREGIONAL TRENDS IN NATIONAL SMART CITY STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT ..............................................40
3.4 THE EVOLUTION OF NATIONAL SMART CITY STRATEGIES AND KEY EMERGING THEMES.....................................41
3.5 EMERGING BEST PRACTICES FOR NATIONAL SMART CITY STRATEGIES..........................................................43
CHAPTER 4. GUIDANCE FOR DEVELOPING A NATIONAL SMART CITY STRATEGY ..................................47
4.1 SMART CITY JOURNEY........................................................................................................................47
4.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL SMART CITY STRATEGY ...........................................49
4.3 NATIONAL SMART CITY STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS ......................................................................56
CHAPTER 5. GUIDANCE FOR SMART CITY DEVELOPMENT AT SUBNATIONAL LEVELS............................58
5.1 DEVELOPING COMPREHENSIVE SMART CITY PLANS.................................................................................59
5.2 INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES, SYSTEMS AND BUDGETS.............................................................................60
5.3 SMART CITY PILOTS AND INTEGRATED PROGRAMMES ...............................................................................60
5.4 COLLABORATION, CAPACITY BUILDING AND FINANCING ..........................................................................62
CHAPTER 6. MONITORING AND EVALUATION .....................................................................................64
6.1 INSIGHTS FROM EXISTING NATIONAL SMART CITY STRATEGIES AND ACADEMIA..............................................64
6.2 MONITORING NATIONAL PROGRESS THROUGH SMART CITY DASHBOARDS ...................................................65
6.3 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR SUSTAINABLE SMART CITY DEVELOPMENT ..........................................65
CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................................76
REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................77
APPENDIX1 ......................................................................................................................................82
APPENDIX 2 .....................................................................................................................................9
Provisional Agenda. Twentieth Session of the SPECA Working Group on Trade
No full textThe United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) are organizing the twentieth session of the SPECA Working Group on Trade on 14 March 2025, back-to-back with a seminar "Digital Transformation in the KTI Corridor: Electronic Equivalent of the SMGS Railway Consignment Note Using UN Standards". The Working Group supports cross border and regional cooperation for the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in Central Asia (notably SDG targets 17.10 and 17.11) to advance green and sustainable trade
Sri Lanka’s service trade and RCEP accession
No full textThis paper evaluates Sri Lanka’s readiness to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), with a focus on services trade. Services exports have grown moderately since 2015, led by travel, transport, and business process outsourcing, while imports have contracted, resulting in a services trade surplus by 2023. Revealed comparative advantage analysis shows clear strengths in travel, transport, construction, and other business services, but persistent weaknesses in ICT, financial, and intellectual property services. Sri Lanka’s service economy shows areas of strength that are well aligned with regional demand. However, a range of regulatory, infrastructural, and institutional barriers currently limit trade and investment flows. RCEP offers a framework for addressing these constraints, unlocking access to major Asian markets, and attracting the capital and expertise needed to elevate Sri Lanka’s service sectors. Realizing these benefits will require deliberate policy reform, sustained investment in trade readiness, and careful negotiation of liberalization commitments