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Strengthening India-Bhutan connectivity : Gelephu’s potential as a gateway to Southeast Asia
No full textThis paper examines the strategic importance of strengthening India-Bhutan connectivity, focusing on Gelephu's potential as a gateway to Southeast Asia. It highlights the historical and economic ties between India and Bhutan, emphasizing the role of land-based connectivity in facilitating trade and regional integration. The study analyzes the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project as a transformative initiative that can enhance bilateral relations and promote sustainable development. Analysing key challenges including policy and infrastructure gaps, it recommends strengthening of infrastructure and logistics by establishing modern land ports and integrating GMC with India's transport corridors. Collaborative frameworks, leveraging economic initiatives, and technology-driven trade facilitation measures are proposed to enhance regional connectivity and boost economic growth. The paper further argues that strengthening India-Bhutan connectivity through the GMC project offers significant opportunities for regional integration, economic development, and sustainable growth. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the proposed recommendations, India and Bhutan can unlock the full potential of Gelephu as a gateway to Southeast Asia, fostering greater economic cooperation and prosperity in the region.Foreword................................................................................................................................4
Abstract..................................................................................................................................5
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................6
2. Regional Context and Strategic Importance........................................................7
3. Strategic Importance of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) in Enhancing
India-Bhutan Connectivity ..................................................................................13
4. India-Bhutan Trade and Economic Significance...............................................15
5. Socio-Economic Synergies of Land Ports and Gelephu Mindfulness City: A
Pathway to Regional Growth...............................................................................16
6. Opportunities for Strengthening India-Bhutan Connectivity ..........................18
7. Challenges and Constraints in Enhancing India-Bhutan Connectivity ..........20
8. Conclusion and Recommendations.....................................................................21
9. Policy Recommendations .....................................................................................22
References............................................................................................................................2
Leaving no one behind : Nauru 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 Lao People's Democratic Republic 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 Nauru.Leaving 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 Nauru 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 Nauru
Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII) 2.1 economy profile 2025 : Brunei Darussalam
No full textDraft programme. Sixth Session of the SPECA Working Group on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development
No full textThe SPECA Working Group on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development (WG on ITSD) is a subsidiary body under the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), comprising senior policymakers, researchers, decision-makers and other stakeholders in innovation and technology from the seven SPECA participating States, namely Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Presentation. ESCAP updates for 6th SPECA WG on ITSD : progress, policy messages, recommendations and draft decisions. Sixth Session of the SPECA Working Group on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development
No full textESCAP Updates as a follow up to the 5th SPECA WG on ITSD (as of 27 June 2024) Status of the Work Plan 2024-20
Progress report. Sixth Session of the SPECA Working Group on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development
No full textProgress Report, since the fifth session of SPECA WG on ITS
ESCAP Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness : brochure
No full textThe ESCAP Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster, and Climate Preparedness provides financial and technical support to address unmet needs and gaps in early warning systems in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its establishment in 2005, it has promoted innovative pilot initiatives, scaled up successful systems, and facilitated regional cooperation, directly benefiting 23 countries. By pooling resources, the Trust Fund also supports South-South cooperation to strengthen disaster resilience in high-risk, low-capacity countries while improving climate preparedness, multi-hazard early warning, and disaster response across the region.
Guided by the 2025–2030 strategy, the Trust Fund focuses on people-centred, end-to-end, multi-hazard, and interoperable early warning systems to strengthen tsunami, disaster, and climate preparedness. It prioritizes transboundary risks, resilience-building, and targeted support for high-risk, low-capacity countries, ensuring that no one is left behind
Asia and the Pacific Information Superhighway Initiative Working Paper Series
No full textThe second working paper, supported by ESCAP–IsDB project on “Improving Connectivity in North and Central Asia through Co-Deployment of ICT, Energy and Transport Infrastructures” turns analysis into action. Entitled "Pre-feasibility study on the co-deployment of ICT infrastructure with transport and energy infrastructure in Uzbekistan" and building on Part 1, it presents a pre-feasibility study on how Uzbekistan can co-deploy fibre-optic networks with three railway projects and one high-voltage transmission line, in line with the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (APIS) Connectivity for All pillar, co-chaired by Uzbekistan.
Using ESCAP’s Infrastructure Corridors Simulator and a structured cost and design methodology, the Technical Infrastructure Co-Deployment Expert Group (TICEG) assesses four projects: the Kyzylorda–Uchkuduk international railway, the Akhangaran–Tukimachi–Syrdarya domestic railway, the Navoi–Bukhara second electrified high-speed track, and the Yangi Angren–Namangan–Margilon–Lochin high-voltage transmission line. The study estimates capital and operating expenditures, potential revenues, and wider economic, geopolitical and social impacts. It concludes that Kyzylorda–Uchkuduk as a transboundary route is not viable under current or forecast conditions, while national route Navoi–Bukhara is attractive mainly as a stand-alone railway investment. Two projects – the Akhangaran–Tukimachi–Syrdarya railway and the Yangi Angren–Namangan–Margilon–Lochin transmission line – show strong financial performance when ICT infrastructure is co-deployed, and are recommended for advancement to full feasibility assessment as priority co-deployment options.Islamic Development BankTable of Contents
Acknowledgements 3
Abstract 4
List of figures 8
List of tables 9
Glossary 12
List of abbreviations 13
1. Introduction 14
2. Basic principles for collecting raw data and justifying variable values 16
2.1. General principles and sources of information on the formation of routes for passing
existing or prospective infrastructure objects 16
2.2. General principles and sources of information on the formation of databases on regulatory
labor and materials costs for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure
facilities 17
2.3. Methodology for determining the level of profitability from prospective economic and
technological flows 19
2.3.1.Determining the level of profitability for railway infrastructure 19
2.3.2. Determining the level of profitability for energy infrastructure 20
2.3.3. Determining the level of profitability for ICT infrastructure 20
3. Calculation results and determination of the most appropriate model for the construction
of a new international railway on the "Kyzylorda–Uchkuduk" route 22
3.1. General information about the new facility construction route 22
3.2. Determination of prospective economic and technological flows 26
3.3. Determining the economic efficiency of project implementation 31
3.3.1. Determining the capital investment for deployment and regular maintenance
costs 31
3.3.2. Project implementation efficiency assessment and selection of the most promising
development scenario 34
3.4. Determining the optimal combination of potential partners for implementing a promising
scenario 39
4. Calculation results and determination of the most appropriate model for the construction of a
new inland railway on the "Akhangaran–Tukimachi–Syrdarya" route 4
Climate scenario analysis 2024-25: methodology document
No full textThis methodology document provides guidance for Mongolia’s first Climate Scenario Analysis (CSA), developed by the Bank of Mongolia with support from ESCAP and partners. The CSA aims to assess climate-related financial risks in the banking sector, focusing on both transition risks from global decarbonization and physical risks such as floods, droughts, and dzuds. It introduces three Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS)-based transition scenarios—Current Policies, Below 2°C, and Delayed Transition—adapted to Mongolia’s context, along with physical risk scenarios. The document outlines procedures for estimating credit risk metrics and financed emissions using a static balance sheet approach and includes a qualitative framework to evaluate climate risk management practices and identify data gaps. This first iteration establishes a foundation for future climate risk assessments and supports alignment with international disclosure standards.The Partnership Action fund of the NDC PartnershipAbout this document .................................................................................. 1
List of Figures and Tables ............................................................................ 3
Acronymns ...................................................................................................4
1. Introduction ..............................................................................................5
2. Climate Scenario Analysis Overview .......................................................6
Objective .......................................................................................................6
Scenario Narrative: ....................................................................................... 6
Scope ............................................................................................................11
Balance Sheet Method .................................................................................13
3. Climate Scenario Analysis Methodology ..................................................14
Estimation of Credit Risks ..............................................................................14
Overview ............................................................................................................14
Steps to estimate Credit Risks based on NGFS scenarios. ...........................14
Credit Risk Estimations for Physical Risk Scenarios .....................................15
Transition Risks as Financed Emissions ........................................................20
4. Qualitative Assessment ..............................................................................23
5. Conclusion ..................................................................................................26
Annex 1: Qualitative questionnaire ................................................................27
Annex 2: Technical Note .................................................................................35
Steps to estimate Credit Risks based on NGFS scenarios. ............................35
Using scenario data for estimation of credit risks. ..........................................37
Estimation of Credit Risks for Flood Scenario ..................................................37
Estimation of Financed Emissions ....................................................................3