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Annotated provisional agenda. Fifteenth Session of the SPECA Governing Council
No full textThe Governing Council of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) will hold its 15th session on 20 November 2020, on virtual modality. Under the chairmanship of Kyrgyzstan, seven SPECA participating countries, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, will discuss the outcomes of 2020 SPECA Economic Forum and adopt its conclusions and recommendations.Opening of the session by a high-level representative of the Government of Kyrgyzstan, the SPECA Chair country in 2020, followed by the opening statements of the Executive Secretaries of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and the Heads of Delegation of the SPECA participating countries
Presentation. Economic policies and financing strategies to support socioeconomic recovery. 2020 SPECA Economic Forum
No full textTheme: Regional Cooperation to Support Socioeconomic Recovery in the Wake of COVID-1
An effective measure for environmental control : the integrated environment management system
Get PDFThe manufacturing sector has been one of the key economic growth drivers across Asia, which makes the region recognized as the manufacturing hub of the world. However, at the same time, it means that there are many sources discharging pollutants into the environmental medium(air, water, and land). In order to protect the environment and human health against those pollutants, most countries have environmental permitting regulations in place that impose legally-binding requirements on industrial activities with significant environmental impacts. Within this context and given the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) experience with rapid industrialization, the ROK offers a valuable case study in introducing and applying the new system for environmental control. This could be a useful reference for countries in the region facing similar pathways of industrialization like the ROK and seeking more advanced environmental control tools. This policy brief outlines the analysis of the ROK’s new strategy – Integrated Environment Management System, and provides recommendations based on lessons from the ROK’s experience. The purpose of this policy brief is to contribute knowledge tools on implementing effective policies for protecting the environment as a whole from industrial sectors.</p
Inequality of opportunity : who are those left behind in Gambia?
Get PDFThe Social Development Division was approached to apply its innovative methodologies and analytical tools for measuring inequality of opportunity and identifying the furthest behind in The Gambia. While The Gambia falls outside the geographical boundaries of the Asia-Pacific region, the Division was happy to support this work on an ad-hoc basis, so as to raise awareness of the need to look beyond averages and identify intersecting vulnerabilities. This new policy paper summarizes the findings of the assessment
Enhancing cybersecurity in Asia and the Pacific
Get PDFAs of September 2020, there were 1.74 billion websites in cyberspace, and Asia and the Pacific now accounts for 50.1% of all Internet users in the world. Another interlinked trend is the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As cyberspace becomes more integrated into government, society and the economy, and their dependence on technologies deepens, there is an increasing concern on the resilience and security of cyberspace in the context of increasing number of cyberattacks and call for strengthened cybersecurity
Addressing non-tariff measures to promote Pakistan’s textile sector
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The paper aims to identify the various types of non-tariff measures (NTMs) affecting Pakistan’s textile sector. The textile industry is of great importance to Pakistan and is a major contributor to its gross domestic product. However, Pakistan’s textile exports are facing market access challenges, in part due to trade barriers of some developed countries. An in-depth analysis of Pakistan’s textile sector and NTMs country-wise and category-wise for the period of 2010-2017 was conducted. Statistics about the textile industry of Pakistan were obtained from the State Bank of Pakistan, while categorical export data on NTMs was taken from UNCTAD’s TRAINS database. Face-to-face informal interviews were also conducted with 15 participants from relevant stakeholder groups, including public and private sector officials.
The authors found that Pakistan’s global share in textiles has declined significantly since 2010 and that it relies heavily on a few international markets such as the United States, China and the European Union. Turkey was found to have the highest number of NTMs targeting textile products, followed by the United States. Additionally, not only do countries importing Pakistani goods impose NTMs, Pakistan’s own export procedures also hamper the trade. Interviewed exporters mentioned that they face difficulties in the costly and time-consuming acquisition of certification, whereas Government officials claimed the certification process improved competitiveness. Exporters also complained about the high cost of doing business, which results in the shifting of exports to China, Bangladesh and India.
The paper recommends that trade agreements and their implementation be rationalized and simplified, uniform certification requirements for exporters be implemented to save costs and time, cheaper tests be made available in Pakistan rather than abroad, and that business-to-business forums be developed to promote information exchange. It is also suggested that a clear framework to deal with NTMs is needed. The development of Pakistan’s textile exports will be difficult to sustain without addressing these challenges
Regional energy trends report 2020 : tracking SDG 7 in the ASEAN region
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Meeting the ASEAN’s rapid rising energy demand is challenging policymakers while they have tried to balance commitments to global, regional and national agendas on climate change and sustainable energy. Decisive action by the region’s policymakers is needed in order to transition and expand energy systems to sustainably and equitably deliver modern energy services.
Tracking the region’s progress toward achieving targets under SDG 7 in the areas of ensuring universal access to electricity and clean cooking, increasing the renewable energy share of the energy mix, and accelerating energy efficiency serves to illuminate the challenges leading up to 2030. Several ASEAN countries have achieved 100% electrification, while clean cooking technology is being actively developed to phase out the use of polluting household solid fuels. Renewable energy installations and production are on a strong upward trend. The region’s energy intensity remains among the world’s lowest. However, national advancements in these areas are highly varied, and the rates of progress are too slow in many cases to fully realize the 2030 vision.
If ASEAN is to support the achievement of the SDG 7 target to double the rate of energy intensity improvement, much more aggressive measures are needed than the path set by current policies. Enabling all of these SDG 7 objectives is investment in clean energy, which is falling well short of required levels. More work is needed to meet the challenges of rapidly evolving energy markets, including comprehensive planning and robust policy and regulatory frameworks. The ASEAN Member States have shared objectives to advance the sustainable energy agenda. Many of the strategies and tools needed to advance sustainable energy already exists within the region. In support of knowledge-sharing among Member States, this publication not only provides an overview of progress towards global SDG 7 targets and regional targets under the ASEAN framework, but also offers a country-by-country review of efforts under each of the major themes
Evaluation of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, Seventh session, 20 May 2020 (Virtual)
No full textThe questionnaire aimed to assess the results, organization and technology of the session to improve the Secretariat's preparations for and servicing of future virtual sessions.</p
The long road to equality : taking stock of the situation of women and girls in Asia and the Pacific for Beijing+25
Get PDFWith the clarion call of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind, addressing gender inequality is fundamental for achieving a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future for all. 2020 marks a series of converging global milestones: the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; the 20th anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security; and the five-year milestone of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs. Together, these offer an opportunity to take stock of progress and persisting challenges and identify and accelerate actions to make gender equality and the empowerment of women a reality for all women and girls in Asia and the Pacific. The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+25 Review was convened by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in late 2019 to review progress on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals. More than 600 participants from 54 countries and 166 civil society organizations attended the conference, which culminated in the adoption of the Asia-Pacific Declaration on Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. It offers a comprehensive set of commitments and actions on region-specific issues to move forward the gender equality agenda over the next five years. Within this context, ESCAP and UN Women conducted a study of the progress made and gaps that remain in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This synthesis report is the result of an analytical review drawing from national review reports of ESCAP members and associate members on Beijing+25, SDG data and secondary literature. Asia and the Pacific has made good progress in terms of the empowerment of women and girls over the last 25 years, but much work remains. Gains are currently threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, with gendered effects that are in large part attributable to the social and economic inequalities women have long faced. At the regional level, governments highlighted progress in some key areas, including the expansion of social protection programmes that put resources into women’s hands, women’s greater educational attainment, increased economic empowerment and participation in public life, and improvements in health outcomes, including the halving of the region’s maternal mortality rate since 2000. Alongside these achievements, governments also identified common challenges. These comprised limited government coordination and collaboration, and weak or insufficient implementation of relevant laws and initiatives. Discriminatory social norms continue to limit women’s and girls’ abilities to exercise and enjoy the full scope of their rights and available protections. Persistent gaps in gender data hinder effective policies and programmes. Governments also noted that, in spite of progress, further efforts will be needed to end violence against women and girls; increase women’s political participation and leadership; enhance women’s economic participation; improve women’s and girls’ health; and address environmental issues, such as climate change and natural resource management, as ongoing challenges to the realization of gender equality and women’s empowerment. To further advance gender equality in the region in the coming five years, governments indicated that eliminating violence against women and girls, promoting women’s political participation and enhancing women’s access to decent work are top priorities. Additional investments are needed in key areas as diverse as social protection, inclusive digital access and skills building, and sustainable infrastructure