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NEACAP policy analysis report : successes and challenges in addressing air Pollution in North-East Asia
No full textThis report examines recent progress and challenges in managing air pollution in North-East Asia, focusing on China, Japan, Mongolia, and the Republic of Korea. It highlights those countries in the region that have made significant strides, not only in improving air quality, but also in public health and ecosystem services. Much of this progress is due to increasingly strong domestic air pollution policy and regulatory frameworks; regional efforts to share information and experiences may have also played a constructive role. While this progress is notable, continuing the forward momentum will require addressing several emerging challenges. Key hurdles range from challenges in urban pollution; struggles with agricultural emissions and ozone; difficulties achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and updated WHO air quality guidelines; frequently reinforcing implementation barriers; the potentially negative impacts of climate change on air quality. The report concludes that many of these challenges can be turned into opportunities in the region by, for instance, leveraging synergies between air quality, climate, and other development priorities to craft more cost-effective policies. Strengthening regional collaboration on environmental data management and other agreeable need areas can also build upon the recent foundation of success and ensure North-East Asia’s future generations enjoy clean air.Foreword iii
Introduction 1
Chapter I: Rural Poverty – Incidence, Correlates and Causes
Absolute poverty: concept and measurement | 4
Incidence of rural poverty: correlates | 4
Economic correlates | 5
Correlates of social development | 9
Poverty and inequality | 10
Characteristics of the rural poor | 11
Access to land | 11
Demographic characteristics | 11
Literacy | 12
Access to credit, inputs and technology | 12
Conclusions | 12
Chapter II: Development Strategies, Macroeconomic Policies and Rural Poverty
The pre-reform setting | 13
The crises and the responses | 16
Varying experience with reforms – grouping of countries | 17
Experience with macroeconomic reforms | 19
Conclusions | 31
Chapter III: Agricultural Growth and Rural Poverty
Agricultural growth: rates, sources, and policies | 33
Enabling conditions, agricultural growth, and rural poverty | 37
Agrarian structures and agricultural land relations | 39
Agricultural tenancy: theory and facts | 40
Other salient lessons from international experience | 41
Technological change, commercialization, and the poor | 42
Rural credit and rural poverty | 44
Implications of the Uruguay Round agreements on agriculture for rural poverty | 48
Consequences of the Uruguay Round agreements | 48
Commodity specialization and regional inter-dependence | 49
Access to developed country markets | 50
Conclusions | 51
Chapter IV: Natural Resource Degradation and Rural Poverty
Degradation of land and forest | 54
Land degradation | 54
Deforestation and afforestation | 56
Depletion and pollution of water resources | 58
Water resource degradation | 58
Population growth and environmental degradation | 61
Interrelationship between environmental degradation and rural poverty | 62
Gender aspects of natural resource conservation and management | 64
Women’s work and resource use | 64
Women and conservation: knowledge gap | 66
Women, poverty and environmental degradation | 66
Socio-economic and institutional constraints on women | 66
Chapter V: Rural Industrialization, Physical Infrastructure and Poverty Alleviation
Rural industrialization | 68
Linkages of rural industrialization and poverty alleviation | 68
Selected country experiences with rural industrialization | 71
Physical infrastructure | 79
Impact on poverty | 79
Innovative approaches | 82
Chapter VI: Gender Dimensions of Rural Poverty
Women’s deprivation | 84
Participation of women in the rural sector | 87
Measuring women’s work | 90
Unequal access to resources | 91
Impact of macroeconomic reforms and structural adjustment policies on women | 95
Conclusions | 97
Chapter VII: Policy Recommendations for Alleviating Rural Poverty
Development strategies and macroeconomic policies | 98
Incidence of rural poverty and inequality | 99
Agricultural growth and rural poverty alleviation | 100
Natural resource degradation and rural poverty | 101
Rural industrialization and poverty alleviation | 103
Gender dimensions of rural poverty | 10
DIB in China
No full textAdvancing disability-inclusive business in China drives economic growth, social equity, and sustainable progress, empowering over 85 million persons with disabilities—a vital yet often overlooked population. As of May 2025, this report, drawn from extensive literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, and real-world insights, traces China’s shift from a welfare-based approach in the 1990s to a dynamic, market-driven model that integrates persons with disabilities as employees, suppliers, entrepreneurs, and consumers. This journey, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), offers a scalable blueprint for inclusive economies worldwide. The report addresses three key questions: What is the history and current landscape of disability-inclusive business in China? What enablers have shaped its path? What lessons can others learn?1. Overview ............................................................ 4
2. Evolution of China’s Disability-Inclusive Business .. 4
3. Pioneering Models: Case Studies in Disability-Inclusive Business ....................................... 5
3.1. Persons with Disabilities as Employees.......... 6
3.2. Persons with Disabilities as Suppliers ............ 7
3.3. Persons with Disabilities as Entrepreneurs ........ 7
3.4. Persons with Disabilities as Consumers ..... 7
3.5. Case Analysis................................. 8
4. Enablers of Disability-Inclusive Business ...... 8
4.1. Policy framework ............................................. 8
4.2. Technology access..............................10
4.3. Client-driven markets ..................................10
4.4. Skills development ......................................11
4.5. Cultural shift ...............................................12
5. Challenges and Room for Improvement .........13
5.1. Enhance Job Quota Compliance ................13
5.2. Address Rural Disparities.............................13
5.3. Tackle Gender Disparities ...............................13
5.4. Modernize Skills Curricula for the Digital Economy ......................................13
5.5. Strengthen Inclusive Education Systems .........14
6. Lessons Learnt and Takeaways ..............14
6.1. Robust Policy Frameworks Drive Compliance and Innovation ........................14
6.2. Technology Enables Diverse and Accessible Work Models ............................14
6.3. Targeted Rural Interventions Address Geographic Disparities........................15
6.4. Cultural Narratives Foster Societal Acceptance.............................................15
6.5. Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration Ensures Sustainable Impact ........................15
7. Conclusion ..........................................................15
Appendix 1: Disability-Inclusive Business in China Timeline (1990–2025) .............................16
Appendix 2: Interviewees .........................18
Reference .................................................2
Multifunctional land use for climate sensitive spatial planning
No full textWith over 2.2 billion urban residents and more than half of the world’s largest cities, Asia and the Pacific is undergoing rapid urbanization, with the urban population projected to increase by an additional 1.2 billion by 2050. This accelerated growth is intensifying pressure on land resources, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Expanding urban footprints, declining green spaces, and increasing reliance on private transport are amplifying exposure to climate-related risks, particularly for the region’s approximately 600 million people living in hazard-prone areas with limited access to basic services and infrastructure. Spatial planning plays a crucial role in ensuring urban resilience as current zoning patterns often neglect environmental concerns. There is a need for a paradigm shift towards climate-sensitive spatial planning which incorporates strategic environmental and climate risk assessments. This brief examines Multifunctional Land Use (MLU) planning as a strategy to integrate diverse urban functions such as housing, transportation, water management, green infrastructure, and economic activities, which help cities reduce emissions, improve adaptation capacity, and deliver broader co-benefits. Further, the brief highlights that efficient mixed land use planning requires integrated policy and governance, access to climate finance and improved capacities at the local level
Presentation. Connecting the unconnected in Central Asia : closing the gender digital divide through meaningful and affordable connectivity. Subregional Workshop on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development with a focus on Digital Public Services for SMEs in North and Central Asia
No full textPresentation. Digital transformation. Subregional Workshop on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development with a focus on Digital Public Services for SMEs in North and Central Asia
No full textPresentation. Assembly of economy of the Republic of Uzbekstan. Subregional Workshop on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development with a focus on Digital Public Services for SMEs in North and Central Asia
No full textPresentation. Digital platform for the network of business incubators and accelerators for sustainable development. Subregional Workshop on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development with a focus on Digital Public Services for SMEs in North and Central Asia
No full textPresentation. Digital Azerbaijan. Subregional Workshop on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development with a focus on Digital Public Services for SMEs in North and Central Asia
No full textAsia-Pacific Quarterly Economic Update, November 2025
No full textHighlights
• Asia-Pacific developing economies continued on average to grow steadily as of mid-2025, with mixed signs of export slowdown after the tariff hikes by the United States.
• Rising global trade protectionism would disproportionally hurt lower-skilled, informal and female workers who are the backbone of labour-intensive manufactured exports in many Asia-Pacific developing economies.
• ESCAP’s updated projections point to slower economic growth and lower inflation in both 2025 and 2026 relative to the previous estimates of March 2025.
• Special topic: Some Asia-Pacific countries are facing deflationary trends due to cyclical and structural factors, and this may persist for some time
