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Improving transport connectivity in the BBIN Subregion with specific focus on the Northeastern Region (NER) of India
Get PDFDespite their geographical proximity, shared history, and socio-economic linkages, the BBIN subregion – constituted by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal – suffers from connectivity barriers that hinders cross-border access to goods and services, and people-to-people contact. To benefit from the immense potential for subregional trade and economic linkages, there is an urgent need to promote seamless multimodal transport connectivity in the subregion.This paper explores some of the major connectivity initiatives and cross-border transport routes across various modes in the subregion, with specific reference to the North East Region (NER) of India which acts as a critical land bridge in the subregion, to derive policy lessons for future subregional connectivity reforms. It highlights some of the most important multi-modal trade and transit routes which are of strategic importance for the BBIN countries in terms of building interconnected industrial hubs, production networks, international gateways and ports. The paper argues for a comprehensive mapping of various ongoing corridor development projects in the subregion for building synergies between them and highlights the need for improving connectivity using digital trade and transport facilitation tools. </p
Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII) 2.0 economy profile 2024 : Vanuatu
Get PDFThis brief provides a concise summary of Vanuatu’s digital trade policy profile, benchmarked against the regional average based on data from 21 Asia-Pacific economies included in the ESCAP-ECA-ECLAC Regional Digital Trade Integration Index, version 2 (RDTII 2.0).
It highlights that Vanuatu is generally among the economies with low regulatory compliance costs for cross-border digital trade. Compared to the group average, based on data up to 2023, Vanuatu’s digital trade policies related to content access, public procurement on ICT goods and services, intellectual property rights, cross-border data policies, and internet intermediary liability are relatively enabling. However, compliance costs are relatively high concerning policies on tariffs and trade defence on ICT goods, and foreign direct investment in sectors relevant digital trade. Additionally, it highlights new policy measures, proposals related to digital trade, and Vanuatu’s participation in trade negotiations involving digital trade.
For more information, please visit Initiative on Digital Trade Regulatory Integration
Integrated public transport systems : a guidebook for policymakers
Get PDFAn earlier draft of this Guidebook was presented as a background document and discussed at the
“Expert Group Meeting on Integration of Urban Public Transport Systems and Application of Digital
Technologies” held in Suwon, Republic of Korea, on 24 and 25 October 2023 in conjunction with the
8th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum.Efficient public transport is no longer a choice but an imperative for modern cities striving to address challenges like traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and other negative externalities. Integrated services offer seamless travel and smooth operations. When cities are planned as transit-oriented and inclusive, accessibility is greatly enhanced. Digital technologies can also further enhance the operational efficiency of urban public transport systems.
However, many Asian cities operate a combination of different public transport systems without due consideration to interoperability or connectivity between modes. Due to the multiplicity of agencies with functional overlaps, urban and transport planning processes are pursued in an unintegrated manner, leading to misalignments of travel demand and public transport infrastructure and operations. Furthermore, there is wide variation in the utilisation of intelligent transport technology among Asian countries and cities. A lack of awareness among policymakers and limited institutional capacities limit the wider application of digital technologies in urban transport.
Many cities are planning to expand their public transport systems through network expansions and introducing a new high-demand public transport mode. The transition to green mobility is also taking place at a rapid pace. Given these opportunities, cities should integrate their public transport systems to provide seamless travel for customers as an alternative to private modes. Policymakers, municipal officials, and transport operators must work together to plan and operate these public transport systems. While integrated public transport systems are a critical part of any strategy to improve urban mobility, there is no single model of an integrated public transport system. This Guidebook discusses the different approaches which policymakers and transport operators can choose from to achieve integrated public transport systems.</p
Integrated public transport systems : a compendium of good practices from Asia and the Pacific
Get PDFRapid urbanization and population growth have put increasing pressure on existing public transport systems in Asian cities. While growing motorization is the main culprit behind congestion, traffic jams are also exacerbated by the lack of integration of the public transport system. Each transport mode competes for limited road space, while travellers must make inconvenient transfers and navigate the complexities of multiple fare payment systems.
Even when new transit systems are built, transport planners and engineers design them without considering the physical and virtual connectivity between modes. To ensure that passengers are not faced with difficult transfers between modes, it is recommended that public transport systems be planned and operated in an integrated manner. This is achieved by bringing together agencies and transport operators to coordinate planning and operations, integrate their ticketing systems, and provide comprehensive transport information.
The current report, Integrated Public Transport Systems: A Compendium of Good Practices from Asia and the Pacific, presents a selection of good practices of integrated public transport from the region. Readers are encouraged to read this report in conjunction with the publication, Integrated Public Transport Systems: A Guidebook for Policymakers, a guide on how to integrate urban and transport planning and incorporate digital technologies. </p
Tsunami preparedness within a multi-hazard context : summary for policy and decision makers in the Indian Ocean Basin
No full textSummary for policy and decision-makers in the Indian Ocean BasinTsunamis pose a persistent and critical threat to over 20 million people across 13 ESCAP member countries in the Indian Ocean basin, where densely populated coastal regions face escalating vulnerabilities from interconnected hazards such as coastal flooding, cyclones, and rising sea levels—projected to rise by up to 1 meter by 2100. The 2004 Tsunami was a turning point, spurring regional and global investments in early warning systems and fostering collaborative efforts to mitigate tsunami risks. However, despite notable progress, significant gaps in preparedness, response capabilities, and governance persist, hampering the development of comprehensive and sustainable resilience frameworks. Approximately $203 billion in building stock across the region remains exposed to tsunamis and other coastal hazards. Infrastructure, including 1,213 education facilities and 1,450 health facilities, 140 power plants and 1,217 seaports, is at significant risk, exacerbated by the exposure of ecosystems such as mangroves, which are critical for coastal protection. Urban centres like Jakarta, Chennai, and Colombo face heightened vulnerabilities due to high population densities and concentrated economic activities, emphasizing the urgent need for integrated, multi-hazard resilience strategies.
This policy document builds on the Capacity Assessment of Tsunami Preparedness in the Indian Ocean: Status Report 2024 (UNESCO-IOC, forthcoming 2025) and two decades of lessons learned. It evaluates current capacities and identifies opportunities to enhance tsunami preparedness within a multi-hazard context. The policy document emphasizes the need for regional collaboration aligned with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). By positioning tsunami preparedness within broader disaster risk reduction strategies, it offers actionable recommendations for policy and decision-makers strengthening resilience and governance against evolving climate and geophysical threats.Asia Development Bank, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Internation Cooperation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through the ESCAP multi-donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate PreparednessExecutive summary
Acknowledgement
List of spotlights
Acronyms and abbreviations
Chapter 1: Tsunami risk in a multi-hazard context
1.1 Understanding cascading impacts
1.2. Driving frameworks and global initiatives
Chapter 2. Strengthening preparedness to unlock resilience
2.1. Pillar 1 - Disaster risk knowledge
2.2. Pillar 2 - Observation, monitoring, and forecasting
2.3. Pillar 3 – Warning dissemination and communication
2.4. Pillar– 4 - Preparedness and response capabilities
2.5. Cross-Pillar– 1 - Governance and institutional arrangement
2.6. Cross-Pillar 2 - Sustained cooperation and financing
Chapter 3: Recommendations for supporting resilient coastal communities
3.1. Subregional recommendations
3.2. Country-specific recommendations
Reference
Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII) 2.0 economy profile 2024 : Malaysia
Get PDFThis brief provides a concise summary of Malaysia’s digital trade policy profile, benchmarked against the regional average based on data from 21 Asia-Pacific economies included in the ESCAP-ECA-ECLAC Regional Digital Trade Integration Index, version 2 (RDTII 2.0).
It highlights that Malaysia is generally among the economies with low regulatory compliance costs for cross-border digital trade. Compared to the group average, based on data up to 2023, Malaysia’s digital trade policies related to cross-border data policies, tariffs and trade defence on ICT goods, and domestic data privacy and protection are relatively enabling. However, compliance costs are relatively high concerning policies on content access, non-technical non-tariff measures (NTMs), and telecom regulations and competition. Additionally, it highlights new policy measures, proposals related to digital trade, and Malaysia’s participation in trade negotiations involving digital trade.
For more information, please visit Initiative on Digital Trade Regulatory Integratio
Energy transition pathways for the 2030 Agenda : SDG 7 road map for Kiribati
Get PDFThe key objective of the SDG 7 Road Map is to assist the Government of Kiribati to develop enabling policy measures to achieve the SDG 7 targets. This Road Map contains a matrix of technological options and enabling-policy measures for the Government of Kiribati to consider. It presents three scenarios (BAU, CPS and SDG scenarios) that have been developed using national data, which consider existing energy policies and strategies and reflect on other development plans. These scenarios are expected to enable the Government to make an informed decision to develop and implement a set of policies to achieve SDG 7 by 2030, together with the NDC
Advancing cross-border paperless of the Republic of Korea : reviewing selected documents and exploring pilot projects
No full textThis report reviews the selected trade-related documents for cross-border paperless trade of Republic of Korea and preliminarily proposes possible pilot projects.The support from the Government of the Republic of Kore
Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII) 2.0 economy profile 2024 : Pakistan
Get PDFThis brief provides a concise summary of Pakistan’s digital trade policy profile, benchmarked against the regional average based on data from 21 Asia-Pacific economies included in the ESCAP-ECA-ECLAC Regional Digital Trade Integration Index, version 2 (RDTII 2.0).
It highlights that Pakistan is generally among the economies with high regulatory compliance costs for cross-border digital trade. Compared to the group average, based on data up to 2023, Pakistan’s digital trade policies related to foreign direct investment in sectors relevant to digital trade, standards and procedures, and online sales and transactions are relatively enabling. However, compliance costs are relatively high concerning policies on tariffs and trade defence on ICT goods, and non-technical non-tariff measures (NTMs). Additionally, it highlights new policy measures, proposals related to digital trade, and Pakistan’s participation in trade negotiations involving digital trade.
For more information, please visit Initiative on Digital Trade Regulatory Integration
Feminist Finance Forum 2024 : key takeaways, highlights and recommendations
No full textThe Feminist Finance Forum is ESCAP’s regional conference designed to drive momentum towards a feminist financial ecosystem in Asia and the Pacific. ESCAP hosted the second Feminist Finance Forum on 7-8 May 2024, during which over 350 stakeholders developed
an array of recommendations, which are captured in 24 session summaries, as well as in cross-cutting recommendations, which are highlighted in this document. </p