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Digital and sustainable trade facilitation in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC)
No full textThis report is part of a global survey effort on the implementation of trade facilitation and paperless trade measures, undertaken jointly by the five United Nations Regional Commissions for Africa (ECA), Europe (ECE), Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and West Asia (ESCWA) as well as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
This report unveils the findings of the 2023 United Nations Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation, focusing on the progress made in trade facilitation across the 11 countries from the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC).
The report highlights that significant trade cost reductions could be achieved through the implementation of paperless and cross-border paperless trade measures, surpassing the impact of conventional trade facilitation measures. In this regard, he Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific offers opportunities for CAREC countries to support them in promoting their own initiatives and solutions and receive support for the advancement of their national Single Windows leading to greater interoperability across borders.
The report was jointly prepared by ESCAP and the CAREC Institute.
For other reports and the results of the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation 2023, please visit http://www.untfsurvey.org</p
Voluntary national review brief : Fiji MICS 2021
No full textLeave no one behind (LNOB) is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. Fiji has nearly achieved universal access to skilled birth attendance and basic drinking water.Leave no one behind (LNOB) is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. Fiji has nearly achieved universal access to skilled birth attendance and basic drinking water.</p
Presentation. Strengthening policies and regulatory frameworks of digital public services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Kazakhstan in support of the Asia Pacific Information Superhighway (APIS): Action Plan 2022-2026. 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 textUpdate of the readiness assessment for cross-border paperless trade : BANGLADESH
Get PDFThis work is co-published by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The present report provides an updated assessment of the readiness of Bangladesh to engage in cross-border paperless trade, taking stock of developments following an original assessment. Findings from technical and legal readiness assessments for cross-border paperless trade are presented, followed by recommendations on technical and legal aspects of cross-border paperless trade and an initial action plan for Bangladesh to move forward.
The complete set of Cross-Borde Paperless Trade Readiness Assessment reports can be accessed here.</p
Inequality of opportunity in Asia and the Pacific : birth registration
Get PDFThe ESCAP Inequality of Opportunity papers identify areas of basic opportunities where inequality jeopardizes a person’s life prospects, namely: education; women’s access to healthcare; children’s nutrition; decent employment; basic water and sanitation; access to clean energy; financial inclusion, pandemic preparedness, and intimate partner violence against women. Each of these opportunities are covered by specific commitments outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and addressed in a separate thematic paper covering up to 30 countries throughout Asia and the Pacific.
This report extends the Inequality of Opportunity series to explore inequality in birth registration and identifies the shared circumstances of the most disadvantaged groups of children under 5 in birth registration in Asia and the Pacific.</p
Status of ICT policies and rural ICT connectivity in Samoa
Get PDFThe Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) launched the project on Digital and Transport Connectivity for the Socioeconomic Resilience of Rural Communities During the Post-COVID-19 Period in Asia-Pacific Countries 2022–2025 to strengthen the capacity of government officials in three pilot countries – Bangladesh, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Samoa – including the development of innovative strategies for improving rural digital and transport connectivity for socioeconomic resilience. This paper was produced as one project activity to assist in developing strategies for promoting rural ICT connectivity in Samoa.
In recent years, Samoa has experienced significant improvements in connectivity since the launch of the Tui-Samoa undersea fibre optic cable in April 2018, with enhanced transmission speeds and increased reliability. While the development has upgraded infrastructure and improved connectivity, the lockdown restrictions during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have highlighted ongoing challenges with Internet affordability and reliability. Further enhancements in these areas are required to meet the growing demand for better connectivity and digital services, ranging from household access to the Internet to e-government services.
Against this background, this paper contains an assessment of the current status of ICT connectivity and policies in Samoa and key stakeholders in ICT connectivity. It includes a gap analysis outlining the challenges and opportunities. Furthermore, the paper provides recommendations, including: i) enhancing collaboration between ministries for promoting ICT and transport connectivity; ii) supporting ICT applications in other sectors; iii) establishing effective ICT policies and regulatory framework; iv) developing capacity-building initiatives; v) promoting strong leadership and governance in the public sector; vi) fostering partnerships and collaboration at national and regional levels; and vii) enhancing ICT access and affordability.</p
Leveraging digitalization for productivity and decent employment
Get PDFIn the evolving landscape of automation and digitalization, the traditional path of labour-intensive industrialization is becoming less viable for countries in special situations in Asia and the Pacific. The shift towards technology-driven processes is decreasing manual labour reliance, while boosting the tradability of services across borders. Although a substantial portion of the workforce in these countries continues to engage in low-productivity agriculture and informal services, digitalization offers a unique opportunity for leapfrogging because of the lower capital requirements and efficiency gains in business operations and public service delivery. However, realizing these benefits necessitates adequate infrastructure, adaptive capabilities and supportive policies.
This report examines the transformative role of digitalization and automation in enhancing the productive capacities of these countries. It zeroes in on the services sector and the digitalization of agricultural and industrial activities, which has the potential to enhance productivity and job creation. However, it also cautions against potential risks, including job displacement and cybersecurity threats. To navigate these challenges, the report includes policy options for enhanced connectivity and infrastructure, education and training tailored to the digital economy, and regional cooperation to foster a conducive environment for digital trade and investment.</p