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Evaluation of the Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster, and Climate Preparedness
No full textThe ESCAP Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster, and Climate Preparedness (the Trust Fund) was created in 2005 due to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that had significant effects on the region. It has now achieved its twenty-year point and has evolved as one of the few regional trust funds of the UN system that can provide funding for key actions to address multi-country issues like tsunamis and extreme weather events. The evaluation is designed to look at the previous evaluations, the projects funded from 2021 to 2024, and their implications for the next 5 years.
In this context, the evaluation looked at the period 2021 to 2024, specifically the projects implemented during that period, and assessed future needs in the context of the proposed plan from 2025 to 2030. The evaluation was done using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data analyzed in terms
of the theory of change that the Trust Fund has been using during the period, including the proposed new plan structure that the Trust Fund is considering. The data were acquired from evaluations and project reports, the records of the Trust Fund's advisory committee, and other relevant reports. There was then a series of interviews with the main stakeholders in the process, including donor governments, observer governments, institutions implementing the projects, other international organizations, and ESCAP staff
AI Governance for policymakers and civil servants
No full textThis briefing note explains how AI is transforming governance and public services while stressing the need for ethical, transparent, and accountable governance. Guided by UNESCO’s AI ethics framework, UN Resolution 78/265, and the UN White Paper on AI Governance, policymakers are urged to embed human rights, strengthen oversight, promote inclusion, and align AI with sustainability goals to ensure AI serves the public good
Futures triangle and causal layered analysis of the digital public services for small and medium-sized enterprises in Kyrgyzstan
No full textThis paper captures key insights from the the National Workshop on Optimizing Digital Public Services for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Kyrgyzstan, held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on 12 December 2024, as a hybrid event. This workshop is part of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) project framework, funded by the Russian Federation in 2024–2026 and implemented in three pilot countries.
The paper was prepared under the overall guidance of Tiziana Bonapace, Director of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Disaster Risk Reduction Division (IDD) of ESCAP, with direct supervision from Tae Hyung Kim, Chief of the ICT and Development Section (IDS) of IDD, ESCAP.
The paper was developed by Kadyrbek Burabaev, ESCAP, National Consultant, Kyrgyzstan, who summarized the workshop discussions, and Aida Karazhanova, Economic Affairs Officer, IDS, IDD, ESCAP, who moderated the workshop, structured the paper and finalized it.
ESCAP is grateful to the Government of Kyrgyzstan for co-hosting the workshop, moderating discussions and contributing to discussions, as captured in this paper. ESCAP acknowledges the leadership of Ulan Ismailbekov and Aisuluu Mustapakulova of the State Agency for Intellectual Property and Innovations under the Cabinet of Ministers (Kyrgyzpatent), Azizbek Pirmamatov and Daniyar Erkinbekov of the Ministry of Digital Development, Nurbek Umetaliev of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, and Shamshybek Kachkynbay Uulu of the State Institution “Salyk Service” under the State Tax Service of Kyrgyzstan.Funded by the Russian FederationTable of Contents
Abbreviations................................................................................................................................. 5
Glossary ......................................................................................................................................... 5
1. Highlights ..............................................................................................................9
2. Four Scenarios of the Digital Future.......................................................................11
2.1 Group 1: Regulators and Policymakers.................................................................13
2.1.1 Metaphor ....................................................................................................13
2.1.2 Futures Triangle ...........................................................................................13
2.1.3 Four Change Progression Scenarios ..............................................................15
2.1.4 Causal Layered Analysis...............................................................................16
2.1.5 Recommendations ......................................................................................16
2.2 Group 2: Service Providers..................................................................................17
2.2.1 Metaphor ....................................................................................................17
2.2.2 Futures Triangle ...........................................................................................17
2.2.3 Chosen Change Progression Scenario...........................................................18
2.2.4 Causal Layered Analysis...............................................................................19
2.2.5 Recommendations ......................................................................................20
2.3 Group 3: SME Representatives ............................................................................20
2.3.1 Metaphor ....................................................................................................20
2.3.2 Futures Triangle ...........................................................................................20
2.3.3 Chosen Change Progression Scenario...........................................................21
2.3.4 Causal Layered Analysis...............................................................................22
2.3.5 Recommendations ......................................................................................23
2.4 Group 4: SME Representatives (Online Group)......................................................23
2.4.1 Metaphor ....................................................................................................23
2.4.2 Futures Triangle ...........................................................................................23
2.4.3 Chosen Change Progression Scenario...........................................................24
2.4.4 Causal Layered Analysis...............................................................................25
2.4.5 Recommendations ......................................................................................26
8
3. The Way Forward..................................................................................................27
References .................................................................................................................29
Annex 1: Concept Note of Workshop ............................................................................30
Annex 2: List of Participants .........................................................................................32
Annex 3: Photo Gallery ................................................................................................3
Scaling the Carbon Neutral Village model for rural communities' climate action
No full textThis report assesses the feasibility of implementing the Carbon Neutral Village model in four villages of Rasuwa District, Nepal, using the Food-Water-Energy-Ecosystem (F-W-E-E) framework to identify integrated climate actions. Thirteen priority activities, including solar electrification, circular waste management, agroforestry, and water system improvement, are projected to mitigate approximately 1,328 tCO₂ eq and enhance the resilience of local households and land. While there is strong local engagement, challenges such as the lack of a local carbon inventory and weak legal frameworks remain, requiring external funding and institutional support.Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................1
Abbreviations.......................................................................................................2
I. Background ......................................................................................................3
II. Project Overview..............................................................................................4
1. Project Approach........................................................................................4
2. Key Findings .............................................................................................5
III. Policy Recommendations ...............................................................................7
Conclusion...........................................................................................................9
References ........................................................................................................1
Advancing Gender Equality in the Maritime Transport Sector
No full textThe side event on “Advancing Gender Equality in the Maritime Transport Sector,” held during the 12th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and international organizations to explore strategies for promoting women’s participation in the maritime sector. Organized by ESCAP’s Transport Division in collaboration with the Republic of Korea, Fiji, and the Port Authority of Thailand, the event highlighted key challenges such as underrepresentation in leadership roles, limited access to training and career advancement, and non-inclusive or unsafe working environments.
This policy brief summarizes the main insights from the event, showcasing national and regional initiatives and outlining practical recommendations to advance gender equality in maritime transport. These include strengthening legal protections, expanding training and leadership opportunities, fostering inclusive workplace cultures, and improving regional cooperation and data collection. The brief underscores that gender inclusion is not only a matter of equity, but also essential for building a resilient, innovative, and sustainable maritime sector in Asia and the Pacifi
Digital government for public sector innovation : harnessing digital transformation and AI for inclusive governance
No full textThis module aims to cover various topics of digital government including: 1) Digital technologies and digital government; 2) Evolution of digital government; 3) Redesigning governance in digital transformation era; 4) Whole of Government and Whole of Society Approaches; 5) Citizen-centric Digital Government; 6) Shift in open data from right to know to utilization; 7) Artificial intelligence and public sector innovation; and 8) Global collaboration for artificial intelligence governance.TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................7
1.1 Digital Government and Digital Transformation ......................................................7
1.2 Objectives and Structure of the Module .....................................................................8
2. Evolution of Digital Government.................................................................................12
2.1 Scope and Content of Digital Government.............................................................13
2.2 Evolution of Digital Government.................................................................................16
2.3 Paradigm Shift from One-Stop to Zero-Stop Service Paradigm ....................17
2.4 Global Advancement of Digital Government Performance ..............................19
2.5 Chapter Takeaways.........................................................................................................22
3. Redesigning Governance in the Digital Transformation Era...................................26
3.1 Embracing Agile and Adaptive Governance..........................................................28
3.2 Data-Driven Decision-Making in Governments ....................................................31
3.3 Inclusive Governance in the Public Sector.............................................................34
3.4 Participatory Governance for Digital Government...............................................35
3.5 Good Governance by Digital Government..............................................................39
3.6 Chapter Takeaways.........................................................................................................44
4. Whole of Government Approach and Whole of Society Approach to Digital
Government ....................................................................................................................................47
4.1 UN’s the Whole-of-Government Approach to Digital Government................49
4.2 Whole-of-Society Approach to Digital Government ............................................57
4.3 Public Information Sharing System (PISS) for Integrated Digital
Government ....................................................................................................................................61
4.4 Chapter Takeaways.........................................................................................................65
5. Open Data Initiative for Shaping Open Government .................................................68
5.1 Background of Open Government.............................................................................69
5.2 Shifting from “Old” to “New” Open Government...................................................71
5.3 Policy Dimension: Freedom of Information Policy versus Open
Government Policy.......................................................................................................................73
5.4 Information Dimension: Traditional Segregated Information versus
Digitalized Connectable and Reusable Data .....................................................................76
5.5 Administrative Value Dimension: Transparency versus Interactivity
(Participation and Collaboration).............................................................................................80
5.6 Citizen Dimension: The Informed versus Producers ..........................................81
5.7 Chapter Takeaways.........................................................................................................83
6. Digital Literacy and Skill Development for Digital Government .............................88
6.1 Digital Literacy and Skill Development.....................................................................89
6.2 Digital Divide by Gender, Income, and Region.....................................................92
6.3 AI Competences and Digital Divide...........................................................................97
6.4 Chapter Takeaways.......................................................................................................100
7. Artificial Intelligence and Public Sector Innovations .........................................106
7.1 Artificial Intelligence for Government......................................................................107
7.2 Transforming Government through AI by Design ..............................................110
7.3 Promoting Collaboration and Enhancing Productivity through AI by Design
112
7.4 Transforming Public Sector Culture through AI by Design ............................114
7.5 Chapter Takeaways.......................................................................................................116
8. Global Collaboration for Artificial Intelligence Governance............................123
8.1 The Urgency of Inclusive AI and AI Governance...............................................124
8.2 Expanding the Role of AI for Social Good............................................................125
8.3 Governance Challenges and Participatory Governance for Inclusive AI
……………………………………………………………………………………………..128
8.4 Policy Recommendation for Global AI Governance for Social Good……………..130
8.5 Chapter Takeaways.................................................................................132
References .......................................................................................................13
The programme of action for landlocked developing countries for the decade 2024-2034 : key features and its alignment with the sustainable development goals
Get PDFA new Programme of Action (New PoA) for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) for 2024-2034 was adopted in December 2024, following the conclusion of the Vienna Programme of Action (VPoA) for LLDCs for 2014-2024. This policy brief examines the alignment of the New PoA with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), revealing that it aligns with 13 of 17 SDGs, with 65% of its targets closely matching or resembling SDG targets. The brief highlights the synergies between the New PoA and the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing how LLDCs-focused targets contribute to the attainment of the SDGs. It suggests integrating supplementary frameworks, such as the voluntary national review (VNR) process and SDG monitoring platforms and data tools, into the New PoA’s monitoring and reporting mechanisms to streamline and enhance monitoring efforts and progress tracking
Alternative data sources for price statistics : Uzbekistan’s experience modernizing the Consumer Price Index
No full textFor price statistics such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), alternative data sources, including web-scraped and scanner data, have the potential to increase accuracy, improve timeliness, allow for greater granularity, as well as reduce data collection costs and response burden compared with using traditional sources alone.
This Stats Brief provides a summary of the experiences, achievements and lessons learned by the Statistics Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (UZStat), who have undertaken a vigorous and productive modernization programme of their CPI, along with a set of recommendations that will be of relevance to all NSOs seeking to make similar use of alternative data sources for their price statistics.Summary
I: Introduction
II: Modernization of the Uzbek Consumer Price Statistics Programme
A. Overview
B. The use of alternative data sources
C. Investment in technology and processes
III: Lessons learned and next steps
A. Challenges and lessons learned
B. Next steps
IV: General recommendations
Annex: Overview of the system and data architecture being investigated by UZStat
Reference