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Project report : enhanced capabilities to adopt innovative technologies for city air pollution control in select countries of the Asia-Pacific
Get PDFIn response to the escalating challenge of air pollution in the Asia-Pacific region, the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), a Regional Institute of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) initiated a project titled: Enhanced capabilities to adopt innovative technologies for city air pollution control in select countries of the Asia-Pacific, supported by the Korea ESCAP Cooperation Fund. The project targeted policymakers, pollution control authorities/departments, city municipal authorities, and the private sector.
The project supported three ESCAP member States (Bangladesh, India, and Thailand) in strengthening policies and city-level action plans (in Dhaka, Gurugram, and Bangkok respectively) to facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies for air pollution control.
The project was executed from January 2022 to December 2023 in collaboration with key partners, including national focal points, academic institutions such as IIT-Delhi, Asian Institute of Technology, and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, as well as environmental organizations like the North-East Asia Clean Air Partnership (NEACAP) and the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP).Korea ESCAP Cooperation Fund (KECF)Topic Title Page
TITLE PAGE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i
TABLE OF CONTENTS------------------------------------------------------------------ii
A. BACKGROUND AND RELEVANCE OF THE PROJECT--------------------- 1
B. KEY RESULTS, MAIN LEARNINGS AND CRITICAL
ACTION POINTS EMERGING FROM THE PROJECT----------------------- 1
C. SUMMARY OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES ------------------------------------------- 3
D. DETAILS OF ACTIVITIES TAKEN UP UNDER THE PROJECT----------- 4
D.1: Compendium of Innovative Technologies for Air Pollution Control ---- 4
D.2 City Level Assessments----------------------------------------------------------- 7
D.3. Comparative Analysis of Air Pollution Technologies
and Policies in three Asian Cities ----------------------------------------------17
D.4. City-Level Consultations and Trainings on Air Pollution Control ------19
D.5. Study tour to the Republic of Korea-------------------------------------------26
D.6. Regional Knowledge Sharing Workshop -------------------------------------32
REFERENCES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------3
Promoting a socially inclusive freight transport sector through gender mainstreaming and empowering persons with disabilities
No full textIn the Asia-Pacific region, women are found in fewer than 20 per cent of transport jobs and women are particularly rare in senior roles in the transport, logistics and infrastructure sectors. Similarly, persons with disabilities are also underrepresented in the workforce, including the freight transport sector. Within this context, ESCAP undertakes initiatives to mainstream gender and empower persons with disabilities, promoting socially inclusive development measures in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, notably Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” and Goal 10: “… empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.”
The objective of the “Handbook on Promoting a socially inclusive freight transport sector through gender mainstreaming and empowering persons with disabilities” is to advocate social inclusiveness of women and persons with disabilities through national-level policy recommendations. The Handbook assessed opportunities and challenges faced by women and persons with disabilities in the workforce, analyzed initiatives and national policies; and drawing best practices to promote social inclusive workforce in the freight transport sector.
For further information, please contact Mr. Edouard Chong at [email protected]
The incorporation of Pacific Islands internet exchange
Get PDFIn support of implementing ESCAP resolution 79/10 titled, “Promoting digital cooperation and inclusion through the Action Plan for Implementing the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway Initiative, 2022–2026,” the ESCAP secretariat is mandated to provide technical assistance, policy analysis and capacity development and promote knowledge-sharing among members and associate members, in particular least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, on digital connectivity and transformation through regional cooperation, as appropriate.
The report titled ‘The Incorporation of Pacific Islands Internet Exchange’ documents the legal process facilitated by the ESCAP secretariat, in collaboration with partners, towards the establishment of the Pacific Islands Internet Exchange by Fiji, Samoa, and New Zealand in 2023. This initiative aims to strengthen the efficient management of Internet traffic in Pacific Island countries. The report shares good practices and steps for establishing a regional Internet Exchange Point from a legal perspective, offering useful lessons for other developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.</p
A sustainable energy-Led recovery from COVID-19 in the Asia-Pacific Region
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to examine how directing spending towards the sustainable energy sector can help achieve the sustainable energy targets under SDG 7, while at the same time reviving economies and creating jobs. By mapping recovery efforts against the investment categories, it will assess how the region has been able to mobilize a sustainable energy-led recovery to date and highlight and gaps and missed opportunities as well as best practice examples across the Asia-Pacific region. It is intended that this report will assist countries of the region to prepare for future crises by ensuring greater capacity to effectively deploy sustainable energy-based stimulus. Lastly, it will examine how technology and behaviour shifts prompted by the pandemic could assist in the transition to sustainable energy, and how governments could support these changes. The challenges faced by developing countries across all these areas will be a special focus of the report given their fiscal space and developmental challenges.</p
Course on business continuity planning
No full textWomen Entrepreneur TrackBusinesses need proactive planning, especially after crises like COVID-19. A Business Continuity Planning (BCP) course, emphasizing technology, helps women entrepreneurs manage and overcome crises, natural or man-made. It covers core concepts, planning processes, tool usage, and encourages participants to outline key action points for their business continuity plans.</p
Beyond inclusion : building people’s financial resilience
Get PDFThis policy brief underscores the imperative of broadening the focus beyond mere financial inclusion to embracing a more comprehensive approach that enhances people’s financial resilience.
At the heart of this transition lies the recognition of the interconnectedness between financial inclusion and resilience. Policymakers must integrate resilience-building objectives into existing financial inclusion frameworks, fostering an enabling environment that incentivizes the provision of products and services designed to enhance resilience.
Empowering individuals and communities through financial education and literacy initiatives is central to building financial resilience. Equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage financial risks effectively enhances their preparedness to navigate unexpected challenges and mitigate their impact. Additionally, promoting the adoption of digital financial technologies can improve accessibility and affordability, particularly for marginalized populations, further enhancing societal resilience in the face of shocks.
Consumer protection and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are integral to building financial resilience. Ensuring the integrity and fairness of financial products and services through effective consumer protection frameworks safeguards individuals from exploitation and promotes trust in the financial system. Moreover, rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are essential for assessing the effectiveness of resilience-building interventions and identifying areas for improvement
Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII) 2.0 economy profile 2024 : Hong Kong, China
Get PDFThis brief provides a concise summary of Hong Kong, China'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 Hong Kong, China 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, Hong Kong, China’s digital trade policies related to tariffs and trade defence on ICT goods, public procurement on ICT goods and services, and cross-border data policies are relatively enabling. However, compliance costs are relatively high concerning policies on non-technical non-tariff measures (NTMs), content access, and foreign direct investment in sectors relevant to digital trade. Additionally, it highlights new policy measures, proposals related to digital trade, and Hong Kong, China’s participation in trade negotiations involving digital trade.
For more information, please visit Initiative on Digital Trade Regulatory Integration
Measuring the impacts of digital transformation on climate change mitigation and adaptation
Get PDFDigital transformation plays an important role in accelerating climate action in Asia and the Pacific and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the linkages between digital transformation and climate change mitigation and adaptation are complex. In order to support governments in making informed decisions and prioritizing digital investments for transformative SDG outcomes, this paper presents a matrix to measure the impact of digital transformation on SDG 13 (climate action) implementation. The impact matrix builds on the Digital Transformation Index framework of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and can be used as a descriptive, explanatory and prescriptive tool for evidence-based policymaking. Based on this impact matrix, policy and regulatory recommendations are provided to drive positive net impacts of digital transformation on climate action. In addition, the paper offers some concrete next steps for the refinement of the methodology and adoption of the matrix in policymaking
Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII) 2.0 economy profile 2024 : Lao PDR
Get PDFThis brief provides a concise summary of Lao PDR’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 Lao PDR 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, Lao PDR’s digital trade policies related to standards and procedures, tariffs and trade defence on ICT goods, non-technical non-tariff measures (NTMs), and foreign direct investment in sectors relevant to digital trade are relatively enabling. However, compliance costs are relatively high concerning policies on intellectual property rights, online sales and transactions, and internet intermediary liability. Additionally, it highlights new policy measures, proposals related to digital trade, and Lao PDR’s participation in trade negotiations involving digital trade.
For more information, please visit Initiative on Digital Trade Regulatory Integration
Asia-Pacific Quarterly Economic Update. August 2024
Get PDFHighlights:
- Economic growth in most major Asia-Pacific countries was steady in Q2/2024 amid sustained recovery in global demand and lower inflation.
- Gradual rebound in tourist arrivals, weak employment in certain sectors, and stubbornly high food prices continued to undermine socioeconomic welfare of poorer people.
- Special topic: Despite some uncertainty around its magnitude, climate change clearly dampens output levels in Asia and the Pacific through channels such as loss of physical capital, people’s health conditions and productivity.</p