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Towards trust-based cross-border data cooperation in Central and East Asia : a strategic framework for Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan: part II
No full textPart II shifts the focus from conceptual reflection to implementation. Building on the ideas developed in Part I, it examines how Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan can translate trust-based data cooperation into practical action.
Overreliance on technology or regulation alone risks undermining sustained cooperation among the three countries. Long-term success will depend on strengthening institutional capacity, establishing consistent support mechanisms and enhancing governance coordination both within and across national borders. These arrangements must remain adaptable, reflecting evolving national strategies, industrial transformations and societal needs.
• Chapter 5 explores each country’s data infrastructure, identifying opportunities for regional interconnection and value creation through collaborative data transactions.
• Chapter 6 reviews bilateral and multilateral initiatives among the three countries, assessing both the progress achieved and the barriers that may influence future cooperation.
• Chapter 7 examines relationships among major stakeholders across and within the three countries, highlighting ways to close coordination gaps and proposing more adaptive governance systems.
• Chapter 8 analyses the legal, regulatory and ethical measures required to ensure interoperability among diverse systems and subsystems, while safeguarding individual rights, privacy, public trust and national security.
• Chapter 9 presents a practical road map for trilateral implementation, offering strategic recommendations for the three national governments and for ESCAP.
In essence, Part II turns the strategic vision outlined in Part I into a sequence of actionable steps for governments and stakeholders. It aims to build a resilient, ethical and trustworthy regional data ecosystem – one that operates not in isolation, but in dynamic interaction with national strategies for industry, resource management and emerging AI initiatives, thereby reinforcing cooperation across Central and East Asia.Table of Contents
Introduction to Part II .........................................................................................................4
Chapter 5. Data infrastructure landscape in Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea and
Uzbekistan ..........................................................................................................................5
5.1 Purpose and scope...............................................................................................................5
5.2 Strategic challenges and regional opportunities................................................................6
5.3 Future pathways for scalable expansion ............................................................................8
5.4 Infrastructure as embedded trust, not technical perfection............................................10
5.5 Systematic challenges and regional pathways ................................................................10
Chapter 6. Current status and challenges of cross-border data cooperation between
Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan......................................................15
6.1 Overview..............................................................................................................................15
6.2 Existing bilateral and multilateral initiatives.....................................................................15
6.3 Structural challenges..........................................................................................................16
6.4 Political and strategic considerations...............................................................................18
6.5 Implications for framework design ...................................................................................19
Chapter 7. Stakeholder mapping and ecosystem analysis...........................................21
7.1 Classification of key stakeholders ....................................................................................21
7.2 National data ecosystem structures.................................................................................34
7.3 Designing multilevel collaboration mechanisms .............................................................38
Chapter 8. Legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks for cross-border data-sharing.43
8.1 Overview and purpose........................................................................................................43
8.2 Comparative analysis of national legal frameworks........................................................44
8.3 Regulatory challenges and opportunities .........................................................................47
8.4 Ethical dimensions and human rights considerations.....................................................51
8.5 The role of the United Nations and international standards ...........................................57
Chapter 9. Strategic road map and institutional action plan ........................................61
9.1 Implementation philosophy ...............................................................................................61
9.2 Trilateral data cooperation action plan.............................................................................63
9.3 Strategic recommendations ..............................................................................................64
9.4 Implementation road map (2025-2029): Towards a five-stage model of
institutionalized data cooperation...........................................................................................68
9.5 Conclusion: Toward a new model of regional digital governance..................................74
Appendix ...........................................................................................................................75
I. Glossary for data governance...............................................................................................75
II. Current landscape of data policies and infrastructure in the three countries..................79
III. Legal and institutional challenges to cross-border data exchange .................................89
IV. Architecture of the data transaction system.....................................................................98
V. Design principles and governance for cross-border data exchange ..............................105
References ......................................................................................................................11
Towards trust-based cross-border data cooperation in Central and East Asia : a strategic framework for Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan: part I
No full textIn our current, rapidly digitalizing world, data is no longer just a technical by-product – it is a core driver of economic growth, public innovation and international cooperation. For countries such as Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan, which are navigating different stages of digital transformation, cross-border data collaboration offers both a necessity and a strategic opportunity.
This report, developed under the guidance of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), lays out a practical and forward-looking road map for deepening data cooperation between the three countries. Rather than offering abstract recommendations, it focuses on concrete, actionable frameworks that consider each country’s strengths, gaps and political realities.Table of Contents
Summary .............................................................................................................................4
Chapter 1. A taxonomy and strategic progression of cross-border data transactions 7
1.1 Terminology clarification in data transactions...................................................................7
1.2 Rethinking the assumption of linear progression ............................................................12
1.3 From disembedded failure to socially-embedded strategy: Rethinking cross-border
data cooperation.......................................................................................................................14
Chapter 2. Conceptual framework and analytical approach ........................................21
2.1 Purpose of the framework .................................................................................................21
2.2 Defining cross-border data cooperation...........................................................................21
2.3 Conceptual pillars...............................................................................................................22
2.4 The data cooperation triangle............................................................................................24
2.5 Typology of data flows.......................................................................................................25
2.6 Methods and sources.........................................................................................................25
2.7 Limitations and ethical lens...............................................................................................25
Chapter 3. National digital strategies and data policy landscapes..............................27
3.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................................27
3.2 Kazakhstan: Hybrid integration and regional outreach ...................................................27
3.3 The Republic of Korea: Global digital leadership with regulatory sophistication ..........31
3.4 Uzbekistan: Digital transition and institutional consolidation.........................................37
3.5 Comparative analysis of national frameworks.................................................................42
3.6 Key insights for regional cooperation ...............................................................................43
Chapter 4. Strategic rationale for cross-border data cooperation ...............................47
4.1 Introduction: Why does data cooperation matter now? ..................................................47
4.2 Shared economic and geostrategic drivers......................................................................48
4.3 Alignment with national digital strategies ........................................................................50
4.4 Strategic gaps in the current landscape ...........................................................................54
4.5 The case for facilitation by the United Nations and regional leadership .......................60
4.6 Strategic vision (data as a regional public good).............................................................62
4.7 Policy design instruments and normative frameworks for cross-border data
governance................................................................................................................................66
References ........................................................................................................................6
Transport connectivity for socio-economic resilience of rural communities during the post-Covid 19 period : Samoa country report
No full textTABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1
1.1 Methodology Used for the Preparation of this Report.................................................2
1.2 Key Stakeholders in the Rural Transport Sector ........................................................2
1.3 National Workshop on Digital and Transport Connectivity (22 – 23 Nov. 2023).........3
1.4 Strategy Refinement and Regional Presentation (March – August 2025)........................5
2 STATUS OF RURAL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE...................................................6
2.1 Overview of Transport Infrastructure ........................................................................6
2.2 Projects for Improved Rural Transport Connectivity.................................................8
2.3 Impact of Rural Transport Infrastructure................................................................11
3 STATUS OF RURAL TRANSPORT SERVICES................................................................12
3.1 Modes of Transport Used by Rural Communities.....................................................12
3.2 Accessibility and Coverage of Bus and Taxi Services................................................12
4 POLICY AND PLANNING FRAMEWORK.......................................................................15
4.1 National Planning Framework..................................................................................15
4.2 Interrelated Sector Plans, Policies and Strategies .....................................................16
5 ADDITIONAL ISSUES IMPACTING RURAL TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY................18
5.1 Road Safety ..............................................................................................................18
5.2 Gender Equality and Social Inclusion.......................................................................18
5.3 Crisis Management and Emergency Responses ........................................................20
5.4 Road Maintenance through Community Involvement ..............................................23
6 CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................24
7 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................25
Appendix 1. List of Government representatives and stakeholders interviewed.............................2
Strategic actions for enhancing rural transport connectivity in Bangladesh
No full textTABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1
1. Status of Rural Transportation in Bangladesh ................................................................................ 2
2. Rural Road Network and Road Classifications ............................................................................... 3
3. Government Agencies Involved in the Rural Transport Sector .................................................... 5
4. Rural Connectivity Scenario in Bangladesh .................................................................................... 8
5. Key Policy Documents and Strategies ............................................................................................ 10
6. Rural Transport Connectivity Issues and Challenges in Bangladesh ......................................... 13
7. ICT Applications in Rural Transport Connectivity in Bangladesh ............................................. 15
8. Key points for a Rural Transport Connectivity Strategy for Bangladesh .................................. 16
9. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 19
10. Pictures Showing Traditional Transport Infrastructure and Services in Rural Bangladesh ... 2
Pathways to improving air quality in the Asia-Pacific Region through technology cooperation
No full textAir pollution remains a serious environmental and public health challenge in the Asia-Pacific region, with around 90 per cent of the population exposed to unsafe air quality. Addressing this challenge requires targeted technical cooperation and scalable solutions. A demand survey across ESCAP member States identified strong needs for transport-sector emission reduction and growing interest in affordable air quality monitoring technologies. These priorities were refined through feasibility studies and expert consultations. Three priority technologies were selected through the Policy Consultation Workshop for the Technical Assistance Strategy: low-cost IoT-based sensors, satellite-based monitoring, and diesel particulate filters. Low-emission zones and clean cooking technologies were also recognized as complementary measures. The research highlights key strategic directions, including strengthening institutional frameworks, enhancing technical capacity and data systems, and scaling up pilot interventions across the region
SME coaching toolkit for green growth in the Philippines
No full textThe SME Coaching Toolkit for Green Growth in the Philippines is designed to equip coaches with a structured approach, tools and templates to support and coach small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through their green transition, ensuring they meet requirements, and can successfully position themselves, for sustainable procurement opportunities with larger enterprises and government bodies in the Philippines and internationally. This user-friendly toolkit can be used by coaches from SME development organizations, training institutions as well as consultants.
Part II of this toolkit discusses the coaching process, while Part III introduces the tools and templates available. Complementing the toolkit is a SME Green Growth Toolbook for the Philippines in Microsoft Excel format that can be used by the coach and the SME to synthesize their analyses and plans.The SME Coaching Toolkit for Green Growth in the Philippines was funded by the Temasek Foundation and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) as part of ‘The Green Shift: Coaching SMEs Towards Tangible Green Growth’ project.Table of contents Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... iv List of boxes, figures and tables ..................................................................................................... vi Abbreviations and acronyms........................................................................................................... vii PART I: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 How to use this toolkit .......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Why go green? Why now? .................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Helping SMEs to help achieve green growth in the Philippines .......................................... 5 PART II: THE 5-STEP COACHING JOURNEY .............................................................................. 7 STEP 1. OPPORTUNITY MAPPING ......................................................................................... 10 STEP 2. GAP ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................... 16 STEP 3. ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................ 21 STEP 4. EXECUTION SUPPORT ............................................................................................. 25 STEP 5. CLIENT ENGAGEMENT ............................................................................................. 28 PART III. TOOLS AND TEMPLATES LIBRARY .......................................................................... 32 Tool 1.0 Green Growth Canvas ................................................................................................. 32 Tool 1.1 Green Growth Priority Industries ................................................................................. 33 Tool 1.2 Industry ESG Topics Identification .............................................................................. 34 Tool 1.3 Corporate Sustainable Procurement Profiles .............................................................. 36 Tool 1.4 Green Public Procurement in the Philippines .............................................................. 38 Tool 1.5 Certification and Validation Guide ............................................................................... 40 Tool 1.6 Double Materiality Tool ................................................................................................ 44 Tool 1.7 Green Opportunity Alignment Template ...................................................................... 47 Tool 2.1 SME Sustainability Self-assessment Template ........................................................... 50 Tool 2.2 Baseline Calculators .................................................................................................... 52 Tool 2.3 SMART Target Setting Template ................................................................................ 53 Tool 3.1 ‘Quick-win’ ESG Actions by Industry ........................................................................... 55 Tool 3.2 Mitigation Ideation Template ....................................................................................... 58 Tool 3.3 Impact/Effort Prioritisation Matrix ................................................................................. 59 Tool 3.4 Sustainability Action Plan Template ............................................................................ 60 Tool 4.1 Funding Pathways Guide ............................................................................................ 61 Tool 4.2 Funding Application Requirements Checklist .............................................................. 64 Tool 4.3 Certification Budget Planner ........................................................................................ 65 Tool 4.4 The Philippines Support Ecosystem: Partner Directory .............................................. 66 Tool 4.5 Change Management Roadmap ................................................................................. 68 Tool 5.1 Green Growth Pitch Canvas ........................................................................................ 71 Tool 5.2 Buyer Influencer Mapping Template ........................................................................... 73 Tool 5.3 ESG Indicators Tracking Template ............................................................................. 74 Tool 5.4 Sustainability Communications Plan Template ........................................................... 75 ANNEXES ...................................................................................................................................... 78 ANNEX I. Glossary of key terms................................................................................................ 78 ANNEX II. Coach progress tracker ............................................................................................ 81 ANNEX III. SME Green Growth Toolbook for the Philippines ................................................... 84 ANNEX IV. SME green growth case studies ............................................................................. 85 Case study 1. Green Antz Builders – from plastic waste to profitable growth ...................... 85 Case study 2. Project SAVE – responsible sourcing and packaging for Nestlé Malaysia.... 86 Case study 3. Naluri Rasa – leveraging ESG strategy to strengthen corporate relationships .................................................................................................... 8
Handbook of Best Practices on Transport and Social Inclusion
No full textThe Handbook of Best Practices on Transport and Social Inclusion highlights effective transport policies and innovative practices from cities and countries across the Asia-Pacific region that have enhanced the social inclusion of transport through greater accessibility for all users, including women, older persons, persons with disabilities, and low income households. The development of this handbook supports the implementation of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Regional Action Programme for Sustainable Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific (2022–2026), which promotes safe and inclusive transport through its thematic area on inclusive transport and mobility
Leaving no one behind : advancing a society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific
No full textDemographic change is a defining 21st-century megatrend and a key gauge of human progress. The transition from high fertility and mortality to longer lives and smaller families has been particularly rapid in Asia and the Pacific. Although aggregate regional figures mask variation at national and subnational levels, the overall trend is clear: population growth is slowing and age structures are shifting towards a larger and growing share of older persons.This report examines the demographic drivers reshaping the region, analyses the implications for labour markets and the future of work, and highlights the transformative potential of healthy and active ageing. It documents the substantial economic contributions of older persons — through labour, entrepreneurship, unpaid care and social capital — and makes the case for urgently realigning employment systems, social protection and health policies with demographic realities. The report also explores pathways to women’s economic empowerment, recognizing that gender inequality compounds the vulnerabilities of ageing across the life course.This report underscores that demographic change is not a challenge to be feared, but a human success story to be embraced. With the right evidence-based and forward-looking policies, sustainable investments and regional cooperation, Asia and the Pacific can harness the opportunities of its rapid demographic change, including its ageing population, strengthen intergenerational solidarity and advance a society for all ages — leaving no one behind.Contents
Foreword iii
Acknowledgements iv
Boxes, figures and tables vi
Acronyms ix
Executive Summary x
References xviii
Chapter 1: Demographic change in Asia and the Pacific 1
1.1 Region in transition 2
1.2 Drivers of population change 2
1.3 Age structures transforming 7
1.4 The pace of ageing 8
1.5 Gender dimensions 13
1.6 Ageing with disabilities 13
1.7 Changing living arrangements 13
1.8 Enabling longer, healthier lives 17
1.9 Conclusion and recommendations 20
References 21
Chapter 2: Shaping the future of work for all ages 23
2.1 Context 24
2.2 Untapped workforce potential 24
2.3 Decent work deficits 27
2.4 Labour markets in flux 35
2.5 Conclusion and recommendations 40
References 42
Chapter 3: Promoting healthy and active ageing 44
3.1 Understanding active ageing 45
3.2 Economic roles in later life 46
3.3 Policies for an ageing workforce 48
3.4 The silver economy 52
3.5 Tools for ageing analysis 54
3.6 Lifelong learning and digital inclusion 56
3.7 Building age-ready systems 58
3.8 Conclusion and recommendations 61
References 64
Endnotes 67
Chapter 4: Enhancing women’s economic empowerment 70
4.1 Framing the challenge 71
4.2 Inequality in the labour market 71
4.3 Pathways to economic empowerment 75
4.4 Conclusion and recommendations 83
References 84
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendations 8
Strategic actions for enhancing rural transport connectivity in Samoa
No full textSamoa’s transport sector plays a vital role in connecting rural communities to essential services, markets, and opportunities. In recognition of the critical importance of inclusive and resilient transport infrastructure and services, a series of strategic consultations were held between 2023 and 2025 to develop evidence-based strategies tailored to Samoa’s context. Building upon the analytical foundations of the Rural Transport Connectivity Report (updated September 2025), this report presents 10 endorsed strategic actions validated during Samoa’s national workshop in March 2025 and the regional workshop in Phuket in August 2025.
The strategies align with national priorities and reflect a convergence of transport and ICT
priorities that span emergency transport coordination, safe public transport, service reliability, digital access and integration, fleet modernization, and inclusivity – particularly for women, children and persons with disabilities.
This document is to be read in conjunction with the full Analytical Report: Enhancing Rural
Transport Connectivity in Samoa (September 2025). It is intended to guide Government of
Samoa agencies, development partners, civil society and sector stakeholders in aligning
project investments, planning efforts and funding proposals.TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1
Strategic Objectives and Actions ............................................................................. 1
Crisis Response Transport Coordination .................................................................. 1
ICT-Enabled Rural Healthcare Logistics .................................................................. 2
Resilient Supply-Chain Framework ......................................................................... 4
Non-conventional Transport Connectivity Enhancement ............................................ 4
Safe Bus Service Expansion ................................................................................... 6
Female and Child Transport Safety ......................................................................... 7
Accessibility and Inclusivity in Public Transport ....................................................... 8
Public Transport Operators’ Association .................................................................. 9
Fleet Modernization: Wooden to Ready-Made Buses ............................................... 10
Integrated Data & ICT Governance ....................................................................... 11
Implementation Considerations ............................................................................ 12
Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders ............................................................. 13
Lead Agencies ................................................................................................... 13
Supporting Stakeholders and Sectoral Linkages ...................................................... 13
Interagency Coordination Mechanism ................................................................... 14
Funding Pathways and Resource Mobilization ........................................................ 15
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) .......................................................... 16
Moving into Implementation: Seizing the Moment ............................................... 17
A Phased Approach: Strategy Now, Implementation Next ..................................... 17
Key Next Steps: From Strategy to Action ............................................................. 18
A Vision for the Future ....................................................................................... 1
