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Bhutan : quinoa
No full textThe ESCAP Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia, in collaboration with the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, has developed a joint publication series titled Market Intelligence Series. This series aims to provide an overview of global and regional trade trends for One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) commodities. It highlights their current market performance and identifies potential entry points and opportunities for integrating these products into international value chains.
Highlights:
- Bhutan is currently focused on developing and
strengthening its national market for quinoa .
- Rising quinoa consumption in neighbouring countries
presents an excellent export opportunity for Bhutanese quinoa in the sub-region.
- Bhutan’s favourable climatic conditions, combined with the growing global quinoa market, present a strong opportunity for the country to enhance its quinoa export potential.
- Improvements in variety improvement, post-harvest,
processing and marketing infrastructure are needed
to enable Bhutan to export quinoa and its value-added
products to distant markets
Applying an inclusive lens to artificial intelligence innovation : the COPAI experience in Cambodia
No full textThis policy brief outlines how to apply an inclusive lens to artificial intelligence (AI) innovation for human development, drawing on ESCAP’s Community of Practice on AI (COPAI) pilot in Cambodia and a co-creative process spanning 12 Hubs and an AI Innovation Lab. It operationalizes ESCAP’s Guidelines for Inclusive Technology and Innovation Policies and aligns with the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations. The brief diagnoses the AI divide facing emerging economies in terms of five systemic barriers - resource constraints, human-capital gaps, data scarcity, fragmented governance, and weak ecosystem linkages - and translates lessons from COPAI into seven actionable pathways: (1) continuous, multi-level capacity building; (2) co-creation for policy and ecosystem development; (3) live ecosystem mapping; (4) youth as present-day co-creators; (5) frugal, context-appropriate AI; (6) regional collaboration to overcome data gaps; and (7) culturally grounded ethics (a “Generous AI” framework inspired by Buddhist principles). Indicators for inclusive AI innovation span four dimensions (objectives, direction, participation, and governance) and recommend measures such as open and gender-responsive priority-setting, participative regulatory sandboxes, local-language and open-source tools, MSME-focused use cases, facilitated access to national high-performance computing platforms, and fair benefit-sharing via digital public goods. The approach offers a replicable pathway for emerging economies like Cambodia and its peers across ASEAN and the Global South to build national AI capabilities, harness AI for human development, equity, and sustainability, while safeguarding agency and reducing dependency on proprietary systems
Presentation. UNECE study of regulatory and procedural barriers to trade in Uzbekistan. 2021 SPECA Economic Forum
No full textData governance for digital transformation
No full textThe Briefing Note Series aims to provide at-a-glance information of key ICTD issues for policymakers and to facilitate their understanding of the potential of ICT when formulating national development policies and programmes. This Briefing Note focuses on policy considerations drawn from the "Data Governance for Digital Transformation" Academy module
Presentation. Азиатско-Тихоокеанская информационная супермагистраль (АТИС) и План действий АТИС на 2022-2026 гг. Fifth session of the SPECA Working Group on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development
No full textFeasibility study on cross-border electronic exchange of trade data and documents : Kyrgyzstan
Get PDFThis study assesses the feasibility of implementing the electronic exchange of trade data and documents between Kyrgyzstan and potential partner countries. It identifies Kyrgyzstan’s key trading partners and examines the readiness and capacity to implement electronic exchange of particular documents used in cross-border trade.
The study examines the current trade environment, and the practices of information exchange between international traders and Government agencies and organisations. It also analyses the authorisation documents used in cross-border exchanges and identifies key bottlenecks. In addition, taking into consideration trade flows and wider economic and political relations, Kyrgyzstan's key trading partner countries in the Central Asian region and beyond are reviewed and identified.
From this analysis, the study identifies a potential project for implementing cross-border information exchange on certificates of origin between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
A model based on information exchange through National Single Window mechanisms is proposed, which would allow the exchange of information from the electronic database of certificates of origin. It is expected that the project could significantly reduce both financial and time costs for Government agencies and businesses, and bring benefits in efficiency, transparency and traceability.
Estimates indicate that the initial project implementation costs for Kyrgyzstan would be USD 130,860 and for Uzbekistan, USD 85,850, totalling USD 216,710. The transition to electronic exchange of certificate information is expected to generate annual savings of USD 41,008 for Kyrgyzstan and USD 84,224 for Uzbekistan. The total economic benefit for both countries, excluding business savings, is estimated at USD 125,232.66 per year. The net present value (NPV) of the project for both parties for 5 years is estimated at USD 258,020, and the return on investment (ROI) would reach 188% for the same period, which makes the project economically feasible and effective.
In order to fully benefit from implementing such electronic exchange, holistic efforts are needed. Recommendations include enhancing the necessary information systems and platforms, ensuring a conducive regulatory environment, and putting in place modern data protection and security measures, among other technical improvements. These should be accompanied by capacity building, training and support for involved stakeholders. Global and regional platforms and mechanisms, as well as partnerships with developmental organizations, should be leveraged to further enhance the effectiveness of developments in these areas.
Delivering a just transition : advancing decent work, gender equality, and social protection
No full textThe 2025 SDG Partnership report analyzes the workforce dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region’s transition to green and blue economies. While this shift will mitigate climate change impacts and generate millions of new jobs, it will also bring about livelihood disruptions and workforce challenges for the region. A just transition, that is as fair and inclusive as possible, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no-one behind, is essential to deliver environmental sustainability, improve livelihoods and reduce inequalities in the region. The report examines the implication of green and blue transition on the workforce, assesses workforce preparedness for the transition and presents targeted solutions to promote inclusive workforce development, transition-ready social protection and gender equality. The report also outlines critical enablers for a just transition and recommendations for governments on how this can be achieved.Foreword.............................................................................................................i
Executive summary ............................................................................................ii
Acknowledgements............................................................................................ v
Abbreviations .....................................................................................................x
Glossary of terms .............................................................................................. xi
Explanatory notes............................................................................................. xii
Introduction........................................................................................................1
Chapter 1: The transition to green and blue economies:
Workforce implications and preparedness.......................................4
1.1. Anticipated job creation and pressure from the green and blue transition ............................. 7
1.1.1 Workforce dynamics in key transitional sectors .......................................................................................7
1.1.2 Job pressures in conventional sectors .................................................................................................. 14
1.2 Workforce preparedness for the green and blue transition..................................................... 17
1.2.1. Skills gaps for the green and blue transition.......................................................................................... 17
1.2.2. Barriers to a gender equal green and blue transition............................................................................. 21
1.2.3. High levels of informal employment in the region ................................................................................. 25
1.2.4. Social protection gaps and disparities................................................................................................... 26
Chapter 2: Solutions and responses for a just transition to
green and blue economies ............................................................29
2.1 Workforce development for the transition................................................................................ 31
2.1.1 Anticipating workforce and skills development for the transition to green and blue economies.......... 31
2.1.2 New stakeholder models for skills anticipation and implementation.................................................... 36
2.1.3 Integrated policy focus for evolving training curricula .......................................................................... 39
2.1.4 New technologies offer better ways of accessing and delivering training ............................................ 39
2.1.5 Ensuring inclusive access to skills development................................................................................... 40
2.2 Transition-ready social protection for workforce health and wellbeing ................................. 42
2.2.1 Focus on increasing the quality of green jobs supporting informal workers......................................... 42
2.2.2 Expanding transition-ready social protection......................................................................................... 42
2.2.3 Increasing basic social protection coverage to vulnerable migrant workers ........................................ 44
2.2.4 Active labour market programmes to advance decent work and green skills development ................. 45
2.2.5 Ensuring access to adequate health and social services ...................................................................... 46
2.2.6 Integrating Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) for a just transition ................................................ 49
2.3 Gender transformative change in the green and blue transition............................................. 49
2.3.1 Addressing structural barriers to women’s participation in skills development and work .................... 49
2.3.2 Access to education and training for green skills development ............................................................ 50
2.3.3 Sector-specific skills development......................................................................................................... 52
2.3.4 Creating an enabling environment for women’s skills development and leadership in the green
and blue transition.................................................................................................................................. 53
Chapter 3: Key enablers for implementing a just transition.............................57
3.1 Policy development, coherence and coordination .................................................................. 59
3.2 Harnessing digitalization and technological innovation ......................................................... 61
3.3 Financing ................................................................................................................................... 62
3.4 Strengthening social dialogue and partnerships ..................................................................... 63
3.5 Overcoming biased social norms for gender equality............................................................. 64
Conclusion and recommendations....................................................................65
Endnotes ..........................................................................................................69
List of figures
Figure 1: Progress of key Sustainable Development Goals, 2015-2024..........................................................3
Figure 2: Distribution of renewable energy jobs by type in Asia and the Pacific, 2023.....................................8
Figure 3: Employment in transportation by sex, Asia and the Pacific and its subregions, 2015 and 2022....... 10
Figure 4: Comparison of informal employment rates in the transport sector vs. national
averages by gender and country, 2023......................................................................................... 11
Figure 5: Employment in fishing and aquaculture in selected countries, circa 2015 and 2023....................... 12
Figure 6: Tourism employment and shares in Asia and the Pacific: Major economies and
small island States, 2024............................................................................................................ 14
Figure 7: Employment in non-renewable energy sectors across countries in Asia
and the Pacific, 2015 and 2023................................................................................................... 15
Figure 8: Agricultural employment share (%) by country and regional averages in Asia and
the Pacific, most recent year available ........................................................................................ 16
Figure 9: Workforce skill composition by country in Asia and the Pacific: Percentage
distribution by occupational category, circa 2023 ........................................................................ 19
Figure 10: Workforce skill composition by key sector in selected countries of Asia and the Pacific:
Percentage distribution by occupational skill level, circa 2023...................................................... 20
Figure 11: Labour force participation rates by gender across countries in Asia and
the Pacific, circa 2023................................................................................................................ 22
Figure 12: Women’s employment share in key transitional sectors by selected country and
income level in Asia and the Pacific (most recent data available) ................................................. 23
Figure 13: Women’s skill composition ratio across countries in Asia and the Pacific:
Proportion relative to men .......................................................................................................... 25
Figure 14: Informal employment rate in Asia and the Pacific and by subregion, overall and by sex, 2023......... 26
Figure 15: Proportion of the population covered by at least one social protection
benefit (excluding healthcare), latest available year ..................................................................... 27
Figure 16: UHC Service Coverage Index by country in Asia and the Pacific, 2021 ........................................... 28
List of tables
Table 1: Expected skills demands and occupational profiles in key green and blue sectors......................... 18
List of boxes
Box 1: Priority sectors for the green and blue transition............................................................................6
Box 2: Youth inclusion in the transition to green and blue economies: Addressing NEET challenges ......... 21
Box 3: Anticipating skills gaps and needs in NDCs and NAPs ................................................................. 32
Box 4: National workforce assessments for workforce and skills needs for a net-zero economy .............. 34
Box 5: Multi-level policy support for a just transition .............................................................................. 35
Box 6: Tracking changing skills needs through skills councils................................................................. 37
Box 7: Partnerships for green skills anticipation and development.......................................................... 38
Box 8: Sustainability skills in TVET for the hospitality and tourism sectors.............................................. 40
Box 9: Hands-on skills development for rural communities in Fiji............................................................ 41
Box 10: Social protection for impacts of the green and blue transition ...................................................... 43
Box 11: Collective bargaining, social dialogue and legal recognition of informal workers ........................... 44
Box 12: ALMPs providing transition support in specific sectors ................................................................ 46
Box 13: National Action Plans on climate change and health.................................................................... 47
Box 14: Training and interventions on ecological and time saving activities for women in Tajikistan........... 51
Box 15: EmPower programme – Women accessing transition-related economic and
entrepreneurial opportunities...................................................................................................... 52
Box 16: WePOWER: Supporting women in energy projects in Asia............................................................. 54
Box 17: Improving women’s access to finance for the green and blue transition ........................................ 55
Box 18: A strategy for achieving a just transition for the workforce in the energy sector in Indonesia ......... 59
Table 1: Expected skills demands and occupational profiles in key green and blue sectors......................... 1
Bangladesh’s service trade and RCEP accession
No full textThis paper assesses Bangladesh’s readiness to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) from the perspective of services trade. In Bangladesh, services exports have grown rapidly but remain narrow in scope and overshadowed by rising imports, leading to persistent deficits. RCEP countries account for a substantial share of Bangladesh’s services trade. While Bangladesh demonstrates competitiveness in construction and professional services, it lags in ICT, transport, and travel services. Unlike tariffs on goods, barriers to services trade are typically regulatory or institutional in nature. Bangladesh faces regulatory gaps relative to RCEP commitments, including restrictive investment approval processes, equity caps, data localization requirements, and underdeveloped transport and tourism infrastructure. Accession could help secure reciprocal market access and offset the loss of LDC trade preferences after 2026, but will require targeted reforms to liberalize investment regimes, close regulatory gaps, and align domestic policies with RCEP commitments