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Labour force participation of older persons and population ageing in China : trends, challenges and ways forward
Get PDFAsia-Pacific trade facilitation Report 2024 : promoting sustainability and resilience in global value chains
Get PDFThe report, based on the results from the 2023 UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation underscores the unwavering commitment of countries in the region to cultivate a seamless and efficient trading environment, despite these challenges.
The report highlights the increasingly important role of trade facilitation in ensuring more resilient and green supply chains, and emphasizes that digitalization in trade can be effective in enhancing global supply chain resilience and sustainability.
This highlights the need for region-wide initiatives, including the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific, and similar agreements.
This is the fourth progress report on trade facilitation implementation in Asia and the Pacific jointly prepared by the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.</p
Agronomic conditions and droughts in Lower Mekong River Basin : integrating innovative digital and space applications for disaster risk management
Get PDFThis assessment examines agronomic conditions and the impacts of climate change, focusing on droughts affecting Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand, and Viet Nam along the Lower Mekong River. The region is critical for agriculture and is highly vulnerable to climate change, with Thailand, Viet Nam, and Cambodia ranked among the most at-risk nations globally, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic also facing considerable climate risk.
Since 2001, frequent droughts in Thailand (11), Cambodia (4), Viet Nam (4), and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (1) have posed significant challenges to agricultural productivity. In situ observations of agronomic conditions have limitations, prompting the use of geospatial and space-based technologies to address these challenges. The assessment aims to leverage geospatial information integrating digital and space technologies as part of the Asia-Pacific Plan of Action on Space Applications for Sustainable Development (2018–2030).
The assessment addresses the geographic and climatic characteristics of the target countries, to analyze the historical drought trends, trends in agricultural production, land use and land cover (LULC) composition, soil textures, and the influence of weather (temperature, precipitation) on agricultural practices and vegetation changes. Findings reveal shift in crop patterns, such as shift from rice to cassava in Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic reflects adaptation to market demands and environmental change. Thailand reliance on smallholder farmers and Viet Nam’s expanding vegetable production face risks from water management issues and heat stress. The region’s reliance on rainfed agriculture, coupled with rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall exacerbates vulnerabilities. Overall, regional food security is at risk due to the combined effects of climate change, evolving agricultural practices, and the challenges of adapting to new environmental conditions.Acknowledgements
Executive Summary
Introduction
Chapter 1: Overview of Agronomic Conditions and Droughts in the Region
Chapter 2: Agronomic Conditions and Droughts in Cambodia
Chapter 3: Agronomic Conditions and Droughts in Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Chapter 4: Agronomic Conditions and Droughts in Thailand
Chapter 5: Agronomic Conditions and Droughts in Viet Nam
Chapter 6: Concluding Remarks
Reference
Course on trust and security using digital technologies
No full textWomen Entrepreneur TrackThe Trust and Security course focuses on online safety, emphasizing strong passwords and cautious online behavior. It covers data protection, safeguarding personal and business data, and increasing confidence in using digital tools. The course utilizes microlearning, hands-on exercises, case studies, and gamification to deepen participants' understanding and ensure a safe online experience.</p
Technological interventions and gaps in air pollution control in Gurugram, India: assessment report
No full textThis assessment report examines the current state of air pollution technologies employed in Gurugram. It identifies the key technological needs and gaps that require urge attention for controlling urban air pollution. As we attempt to enhance our understanding of the complexities of air pollution in key cities in Asia Pacific, the findings of this report will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, city planners and practitioners. I hope that this report will play an important role in shaping the trajectory of air pollution control initiatives in Gurugram and other cities in Asia Pacific.Funded by the Korea ESCAP Cooperation Fun
Technical cooperation highlights 2022-2023
No full textThe Asia-Pacific region faces a rising tide of development challenges in the post-pandemic period. Economic slowdown, unprecedented inflation and uncertainty brought about by geopolitical challenges have set back past development gains. These have also been worsened by a food and fuel price crisis, further compounded by the widespread, rapid and intensifying impacts of climate change. This fast-evolving development landscape is drastically changing narratives and calling for policy adaptation required to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
With its dedicated Goal 17, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the crucial role of partnerships in achieving ambitious global targets, integral for mobilizing and sharing knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources, and bringing together national governments, the international community, civil society, the private sector, and other actors. ESCAP, as an inter-governmental platform that serves to bolster regional aspirations of socio-economic development, recognizes that effective responses to the growing and complex development landscape cannot be achieved alone.
The 2022-2023 edition of the Technical Cooperation Highlights thus tells the story of inspiring and enduring partnerships that bring together our comparative advantages and that scale up good practices to leave no one behind, to make economic growth inclusive, to advance climate action and to reduce disaster risks. This edition, the third in the series, reflects the spirit of collaboration as we hear directly from our partners about why we have been successful in keeping our collective promise to the region.</p
Trade in goods and services outlook in Asia and the Pacific 2024/2025
No full textMerchandise goods trade
- Merchandise trade expanded in 2024, driven by a broader recovery in global economic activity. Globally, real exports and imports grew by 1.8% and 2.2%, respectively. Asia and the Pacific outperformed global averages, with exports increasing by 3.4% and imports by 3.6%. Notably, global trade grew by 1.6% for exports and 2.9% for imports in nominal terms, while the Asia-Pacific region registered an increase of 2.2% and 4.1%, respectively.
- In 2024, the Asia-Pacific region's merchandise trade surplus decreased to 2.3% of total merchandise trade, down from 3.2% in 2023. This reduction occurred despite continued export growth as import value increased at a faster rate. Strong growth in import demand was due to regional economic recovery, boosted consumer spending and investment while export growth was slower owing to moderate global economic expansion.[1]
- Asia and the Pacific's share of global nominal exports and imports rose slightly in 2024 to 38.9% and 36.7%, up from 38.7% and 36.2% in 2023, reflecting stronger trade growth compared to the global average.
- In 2024, most Asia-Pacific subregions saw real-term trade expansion although in varying degree. South-East Asia (SEA) (5.8%), South and South-West Asia (SSWA) (3.6%), East and North-East Asia (ENEA) (3.2%), and North and Central Asia (NCA) (0.9%) recorded export growth in real terms. Conversely, the Pacific subregion experienced a slight decline in exports. Imports-wise, NCA was the only subregion to see a contraction in merchandise imports.
- Intra-regional trade remains significant, accounting for nearly 60% of the region's total exports in 2024. Ongoing trade reconfiguration is evident, with notable shifts between 2019 and 2024. ENEA economies have strengthened trade ties with Asia-Pacific partners outside its subregion, while slightly reducing exports to the United States. Meanwhile, sanctions and supply chain adjustments have driven NCA economies to redirect exports from the EU towards SSWA and ENEA, signaling a significant realignment in NCA's trade patterns towards Asia.
- In 2025, merchandise trade in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to continue its upward trajectory (figure 1). All Asia-Pacific subregions are expected to see continued export recovery in 2025. Growth rates are anticipated to be higher in SEA and ENEA compared to the Pacific and NCA. Imports are projected to generally align with exports, though growth in SSWA may outpace exports, and NCA’s imports may stabilize under favorable conditions.
- However, trade growth faces significant uncertainties, including slower-than-expected recovery in major economies and potential trade wars. These challenges could dampen the growth prospects compared to 2024 levels, with developing Asia-Pacific merchandise exports particularly at risk. According to WTO (2024) projections export growth in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025 may amount to one-third of the growth recorded in 2024. Given these risks, real merchandise exports in the region are expected to grow between 2.7% and 3.5% in 2025, with developing economies experiencing a more modest growth than developed economies. Import growth is expected to align with exports but remain relatively more resilient.
Commercial services trade
- The value of commercial services trade continued its recovery in 2024. Globally, commercial services exports and imports grew by 5.8% and 5.5%, respectively. The Asia-Pacific region outperformed the global trends, with export and import growth rates of 8.6% and 6.2%, respectively.
- The region’s robust trade growth in 2024 was primarily driven by the recovery of travel services, which contributed 20.5% of the region’s exports of commercial services. Additionally, significant exports growth was observed in construction, goods-related services, charges for the use of intellectual property, and personal, cultural, and recreational services sectors, which increasingly encompass digitally delivered service categories such as audiovisual content, health services, and education services, among others.
- In 2024, all Asia-Pacific subregions experienced expansion in services trade, though at varying rates. The Pacific (13%) recorded the highest export growth, while NCA (5.3%) had the lowest. Exports from ENEA, and SSWA grew at comparable rates. For imports, ENEA led the growth, followed by SSWA, SEA, and the Pacific. Similar to merchandise trade, NCA was the only subregion to experience a slight decline in services imports.
- Based on the latest data available, intra-regional trade accounts for approximately 20% of the region’s total services, with about 11% linked to ENEA markets, primarily driven by China's role as the largest importer of tourism and travel services. The service trade pattern reflects a strong orientation toward global markets. Additionally, technological advances in digitally deliverable services have enabled the region to diversify its trade destinations beyond neighboring countries.
- In 2025, the Asia-Pacific region's commercial services exports and imports are projected to grow by 8% and 10.9% in nominal terms, respectively. This growth is expected to be driven by expansions in the travel sector and digitally deliverable services, with developed economies anticipated to outperform others in the region.
- Export growth rates are anticipated to increase modestly for ENEA and the Pacific, while exports in the other subregions are expected to continue growing at diminished rates. In terms of imports, all subregions are forecasted to experience higher growth in 2025, particularly ENEA.
- Similar to merchandise trade, services trade growth prospects are also exposed to downside risks. While more resilient, commercial services trade may face indirect downward pressures from disrupted merchandise trade that may reduce demand in sectors such as logistics, finance, and travel, adding complexity to the region’s overall services trade outlook. Additionally, heightened trade tensions can create policy uncertainty, discouraging trade and investment in service industries. </p
Trade digitalization index : a new tool for assessing the global state of play in the digitalization of trade procedures
Get PDFThis paper introduces the Trade Digitalization Index (TDI) for assessing global progress in digitalizing trade procedures, a new metric based on data from the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. The TDI provides a measure of the integration of information and communication technologies into international trade processes, focusing on the implementation of two groups of measures: 'paperless trade' and 'cross-border paperless trade'. The TDI scores highlight wide disparities across the 163 countries covered in implementation of trade digitalization measures. While progress has been made between 2021 and 2023, a digitalization gap exists between high and low-income countries. To address it and further accelerate progress, the paper emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts, international standards, and legal harmonization. It concludes by underscoring the potential of TDI as a tool for policymakers, international organizations, and researchers, and suggests avenues for future development and application of the index in fostering global trade digitalization. </p
Technological interventions and gaps in air pollution control in Dhaka, Bangladesh : assessment report
No full textThis assessment report examines the current state of air pollution technologies
employed in Dhaka. It identifies the key technological needs and gaps that require
urgent attention for controlling urban air pollution.Korea ESCAP Cooperation Fun