ESCAP Repository (United Nations ESCAP)
Not a member yet
8868 research outputs found
Sort by
Financing social protection : core financing options and the need to increase synergies with green, climate, humanitarian and alternative funding frameworks for a more climate resilient future
Get PDFThe working paper analyzes the diverse financing options and fiscal strategies necessary to expand social protection in Asia and the Pacific, underscoring the critical importance of social protection amidst climate challenges. It examines the gaps in current social protection spending, where the region's average expenditure of 8.2% of GDP falls significantly below the global benchmark. The paper presents an array of financing mechanisms, including social security contributions, innovative tax reforms, reallocation of fossil fuel subsidies, and green and social bonds, alongside newer frameworks like multilateral climate funds and the newly established Loss and Damage Fund. It further highlights the synergy between social and climate resilience, advocating for robust social protection frameworks that can buffer against climate-induced displacement, support mitigation and adaptation efforts, and address emerging health risks. The paper is organized into sections on core funding sources, innovative and targeted fiscal policies and green, climate and complementary funding sources, with a comprehensive evaluation of each approach. By promoting cross-sectoral cooperation and exploring synergies between social protection and climate action, the paper argues that nations can create sustainable social protection models and build resilience against future climate and other type of shocks
Digitalization and artificial intelligence for achieving SDG 7 and the energy transition in Asia and the Pacific
Get PDFThis working paper focuses in three key areas: first, to give a knowledge update for better understanding of the state of the art applications of AI-based technologies across the various world regions; second, to look at some of the challenges and opportunities to advance the energy transition in the Asia-Pacific region; third, to investigate the regional cooperation necessary to harness policy approaches to ensure AI-based technologies are used in a cooperative and fair manner
A brief overview of desertification and land degradation in North-East Asia
Get PDFDesertification and land degradation (DLD) pose significant challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and many areas in North-East Asia are exposed to DLD risks. Since 2001, the extent of arid and semi-arid areas in the subregion has slightly decreased, but certain areas still require further attention, particularly in the northern provinces of China and Mongolia.
The increasing demand for land-based resources associated with population growth is a fundamental driver of DLD. Among these factors, livestock numbers have significantly risen in recent decades. Climate change adds further uncertainty to these challenges, with changes in precipitation, temperature, and wind speeds.
To develop and implement appropriate policies, it is necessary to study further the potential impacts of anthropogenic drivers such as animal husbandry, water withdrawals, and mining, as well as the changing geophysical conditions of arid and semi-arid areas. Regional and multisectoral cooperation is also essential.Introduction 1
1. Overview of DLD Trends 3
1.1 North-East Asia 3
1.2 China 5
1.3 Mongolia 8
1.4 The Russian Federation 9
1.5 Other Countries in North-East Asia 10
2 Socio-Economic Factors for Desertification and Land Degradation 12
2.1 Population Growth 12
2.2 Animal Husbandry 14
2.3 Water Withdrawal 15
2.4 Mining 16
3 Climate Change and Desertification and Land Degradation 18
3.1 Precipitation 18
3.2 Temperature 19
3.3 Wind Speed 20
Conclusion 22
References 2
Digital trade regulatory review for Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean 2024
No full textESCAP-ECA-ECLAC Initiative on Digital Trade Regulatory Integration
The 2024 edition of the Digital Trade Regulatory Review is a joint report by the three United Nations Regional Commissions (UNRCs) for Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean under the ESCAP-ECA-ECLAC Digital Trade Regulatory Integration Initiative. The report provides a preliminary step towards deepening the understanding of the digital trade policy environment within and between these three regions. It presents an overview of the digital trade policy landscape of 102 economies, based on data as of 2023. The data collection and analysis are based on the ESCAP-ECA-ECLAC common framework of the Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII) 2nd edition (RDTII 2.0)*. The report also proposes recommendations for enhancing digital trade integration within and between the three regions.
*Please see the RDTII Version 2.0: A Guide for information about analytical methodology behind the analysis in this report.
</p
Information note : resilience: a theme for the 2024 review and potential extension of the Asia- Pacific Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Decade (2015-2024)
Get PDFInformation note on Resilience: A theme for the 2024 review and potential extension of the Asia-Pacific Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Decade (2015-2024). During the ninth meeting of the Regional Steering Group for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific, consensus was reached on the inclusion of resilience into the work associated with any extension of the Decade and thus a consideration in the 2024 CRVS Decade Review. Members underscored how resilience is critical to sustaining existing progress and effectively addressing upcoming challenges associated with climate change including displacement which may result in statelessness. Resilience in the face of crises is crucial for the long-term sustainability of a country’s development, as emphasized by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 1.5 “build resilience and reduce vulnerability to environmental, economic and social disasters”.This information note provides an overview of inequality assessments, reviewing why they are necessary to a well-functioning CRVS system and providing guidance on the essential steps for implementation.Many countries experience low civil registration completeness rates among certain population groups or geographic areas. To ensure progress in registration is truly universal and fully inclusive, the Ministerial declaration to “Get Every One in The Picture” in Asia and the Pacific recognized the need to address disparities in the civil registration coverage of hard-to-reach ad marginalized populations. Hence, the Regional Action Framework on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) in Asia and the Pacific calls upon members and associate members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to assess any CRVS-related inequalities experienced by population subgroups. Doing so is an essential step to getting every one in the picture and ensure universal registration, but very few countries have so far performed specific studies on who is left behind.</p
Evaluation of the project on the Asian and Pacific Network for Testing of Agricultural Machinery (ANTAM) Cooperation Project with Japan (Phase II)
Get PDFThe evaluation of the Asia and Pacific Network for Testing of Agricultural Machinery (ANTAM)
Cooperation Project funded by the Government of Japan (Phase II) was commissioned by the United
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The project was
implemented by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), a regional institution
of ESCAP, in partnership with the Institute of Agricultural Machinery (IAM), Japan and other ANTAM
participating countries. The network promotes harmonised regional standards to facilitate the trade
and use of safe, efficient, and environmentally sound agricultural machinery. The subject project
conducted scoping studies to assess testing station equipment and personnel skills, developed
country-specific capacity-building strategies and completed inter-laboratory tests and regional
training to instruct engineers on the correct application of testing methodologies.
The evaluation assessed ANTAM’s accountability for results by documenting achievements against the
envisaged targets and drawing lessons for CSAM’s operations. This includes modifying and scaling up
ANTAM’s interventions in participating and potentially in other countries. The specific objectives were
to (i) assess the project performance against the evaluation criteria of relevance, effectiveness,
efficiency, impact, and sustainability as well as cross-cutting issues including, gender equality, human
rights, and disability inclusion, as deemed relevant; and (ii) draw lessons from the project design and
implementation and provide recommendations to inform management decision-making and improve
ESCAP’s future project design and implementation. The evaluation’s scope included activities and
initiatives such as annual meetings, national and regional workshops, training, technical working group
(TWG) meetings, study tours, field visits, round-robin laboratory tests, and knowledge collaboration
among the countries from July 2017 to March 2024. The evaluation adhered to ESCAP’s Monitoring
and Evaluation Policy and Guidelines and the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG)’s Norms and
Standards.Government of Japan (Phase II
Accelerating electric mobility in public transport : how Asia and the Pacific could unlock financing for electric buses
No full textUnlocking the potential of multilateral development banks : boosting lending capacity and operational efficiency
No full textMultilateral development banks (MDBs) can play a crucial role in financing sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific, yet their capacity is constrained by insufficient capital and conservative lending practices. To address this, MDB shareholders should consider boosting equity capital because the current funding levels fall significantly short of meeting development financing needs of developing countries. In addition to capital injections, MDBs should consider including callable capital in their capital adequacy frameworks. Although not guaranteed, callable capital is a large part of the subscribed capital and can strengthen their ability to handle risks. Including callable capital, as demonstrated by the Inter-American Development Bank, can expand lending capacity of an MDB without compromising credit ratings.
Operational and financial innovations can further enhance MDBs' lending capacities. Hybrid capital, which combines debt and equity features, can attract private investment and potentially increase lending to developing Asia-Pacific countries by 2.5 billion from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) over the period of 10 years. Consolidating concessional and non-concessional balance sheets, as carried out by ADB, can also significantly increase overall lending capacity. Risk transfer agreements with private insurers and guarantee programmes among MDBs can also mitigate credit risk and mobilize additional funding.
Improving lending terms of MDB is another critical area that require attention. Reducing interest rates and extending loan maturities can provide much-needed support to developing countries, though it may lead to some financial costs for the MDBs. Additionally, expanding local currency lending can reduce foreign exchange risks faced by debtor countries. Enhancing administrative efficiency through faster project approvals, bundled safeguard assessments, and better use of national safeguard frameworks can reduce burdens on debtor countries. Results-based financing, where fund disbursement is tied to outcomes, can further streamline operations and increase concessional financing to developing countries.
Finally, systemic coordination among MDBs is crucial for maximizing their collective impact. The United Nations, including the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), can facilitate such collaboration. Specifically, the United Nations can convene MDBs at its high-level intergovernmental platforms to foster dialogue on shared priorities, such as climate resilience, sustainable development financing, and debt sustainability. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the United Nations can help build a cohesive approach to development challenges and ensure that MDB initiatives are complementary and aligned with broader global goals. </p
Role of mechanization towards a sustainable revival of millet cultivation
No full textRealization of agricultural production goals while
compromising environmental issues is a common
concern that reverberates across the globe. Fragile
agricultural eco-system of Asia-Pacific region in
terms of its susceptibility to climate change
imperatives can be checked by widespread
adoption of millet cultivation. This will not only
nurture the owners of small and fragmented land
holdings having high dependence on rainfed
agriculture but will also suit the low investment
capacity of the farmers and the ecological limitations
of this region. Millet cultivation will deplete the
overall contribution of agriculture to climate change
and shall provide solutions to tackle the nutritional
challenges of the vulnerable population groups.
There are numerous markers to indicate an overall
dearth of agricultural mechanization in the Asia Pacific region. Pre and post-harvest operations
associated with millet cultivation lack the machinery based solutions in terms of technology, machinery,
trained personnel and protocols for processing
operations, grain handling and storage.
This policy paper attempts to justify adoption of
millets in the Asia-Pacific region and reports the
trend in production and extant of spread of millet
agriculture across the region. In particular, it
introduces the readers to a road map for the
promotion of millets to plug the gaps and counter the
constraints so that a sustainable comprehensive pre
and post production mechanization of millet
agriculture can be realised. The paper highlights
about the availability of equipment and machinery
for tillage, sowing and harvesting; also brings to the
fore a complete value chain for post-harvest
processing of millets along with the primary and
secondary operations leading to the generation of
value added products.
The recommendations of this policy paper bench
upon the actions required right from the approaches
for sustainable mechanization in line with that
available for major cereal crops along with the
associated government support. It also delves upon
the total value chain of the millets to make value
addition viable and marketable. All the
recommendations are in sync with the millet
producing countries of the Asia-Pacific region for
adoptable farm mechanization and post-harvest
solutions towards an uninterrupted acceptance of
millet in the agrarian eco-system of this region.Executive Summary.................................................................................................................................. 4
I. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 5
II. Mechanization of Millets Production ..................................................................................................... 7
III. Post-Harvest Mechanization of Millets............................................................................................... 10
IV. Recommendations............................................................................................................................ 13
References ........................................................................................................................................... 1