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Accelerating progress in SDG-6 (Clean water and sanitation) in South and South-West Asia subregion
Get PDFThe South and South-West Asia region has made considerable progress in improving economic and social welfare over the last decade. Water resources have contributed greatly to this transformation through measures such as water and sanitation hygiene (WASH), provision of basic services and agricultural expansion. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), progress has been made to elevate water issues at the national and regional level. However, access to sustainable water resources is increasingly threatened by several issues like pollution, growing populations, increasing water demands, and climate change. While there has been a substantial effort to increase aid to the least developed countries for water supply and sanitation, people throughout the subregion still lack access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services. Despite progress in some components of SDG 6, such as the reduction of open defecation, overall development is not on track to achieve the specific target goals by 2030. Continuous water availability—both in sufficient quantity and adequate quality—is fundamental to the expansion of safe drinking water services. The most notable threat to progress of Goal 6 is water stress. In the effort to ensure food security for growing populations, the status of available freshwater resources has largely been neglected in some of the most consequential parts of the SSWA region. It’s essential for the subregion to act to reverse negative trends for target 6.6, protect and restore water-related ecosystems. Regional cooperation can ensure moving towards the targets of Goal 6, especially target 6.5.2, transboundary water cooperation.
JEL Codes(s): I32, L97, N15, O20, P18, Q53, R
Keywords: SDG progress, South and South-West Asia, SDG-6, Clean Water, Water Management, Water Stress, HygieneThe South and South-West Asia region has made considerable progress in improving economic and social welfare over the last decade. Water resources have contributed greatly to this transformation through measures such as water and sanitation hygiene (WASH), provision of basic services and agricultural expansion. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), progress has been made to elevate water issues at the national and regional level. However, access to sustainable water resources is increasingly threatened by several issues like pollution, growing populations, increasing water demands, and climate change. While there has been a substantial effort to increase aid to the least developed countries for water supply and sanitation, people throughout the subregion still lack access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services. Despite progress in some components of SDG 6, such as the reduction of open defecation, overall development is not on track to achieve the specific target goals by 2030. Continuous water availability—both in sufficient quantity and adequate quality—is fundamental to the expansion of safe drinking water services. The most notable threat to progress of Goal 6 is water stress. In the effort to ensure food security for growing populations, the status of available freshwater resources has largely been neglected in some of the most consequential parts of the SSWA region. It’s essential for the subregion to act to reverse negative trends for target 6.6, protect and restore water-related ecosystems. Regional cooperation can ensure moving towards the targets of Goal 6, especially target 6.5.2, transboundary water cooperation.
JEL Codes(s): I32, L97, N15, O20, P18, Q53, R
Keywords: SDG progress, South and South-West Asia, SDG-6, Clean Water, Water Management, Water Stress, Hygien
Strengthening the labour force participation of older persons in the context of digital transformation and the fourth industrial revolution - insights from the Asia-Pacific region
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Banner: СУБРЕГИОНАЛЬНЫЙ СЕМИНАР ПО ИННОВАЦИЯМ И ТЕХНОЛОГИЯМ ДЛЯ УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ С УПОРОМ НА ЦИФРОВЫЕ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЕ УСЛУГИ ДЛЯ МАЛЫХ И СРЕДНИХ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЙ В СЕВЕРНОЙ И ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ АЗИИ. 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 textDecisions. Nineteenth Session of the SPECA Governing Council
No full textThe Governing Council of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) will hold its 19th session on 8 November 2024 as hybrid session with in-person and online participation. Under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan, seven SPECA participating countries, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will discuss the outcomes of 2022 SPECA Economic Forum and adopt its conclusions and recommendations
Digital and sustainable trade facilitation in Commonwealth countries
Get PDFThis 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). Based on the 2023 United Nations Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation, this report examines the progress of trade facilitation reforms across Commonwealth countries and provides a comprehensive insight into policy measures and actions that Commonwealth countries have taken to facilitate international trade. The report reaffirms the substantial benefits that digital trade facilitation measures can bring to countries in the Commonwealth. An ambitious trade digitalization strategy can reduce trade costs by approximately 15%, whereas achieving basic compliance with the WTO TFA could result in a reduction of only around 4% in trade costs. In this regard, the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade (CPTA) provides a supportive platform for member countries to facilitate the electronic exchange of cross-border trade-related data and documents. Commonwealth countries are encouraged to join this important UN treaty to harness the advantages offered, via a dedicated, inclusive, and capacity-building intergovernmental platform to support countries in their gradual transition toward ‘less paper’ and eventually paperless and cross-border paperless trade, achieving trade digitalization. This can further boost the trade cost advantage that Commonwealth countries enjoy as a result of their shared legal system, business practices and deeper historical linkages. The report was jointly prepared by ESCAP and the Commonwealth Secretariat. 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
Towards greater regulatory co-operation in the Asia-Pacific for boosting e-commerce trade
Get PDFThe Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, which accounts for over 50 per cent of the world’s population and over 35 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. The region is growing at higher than the global growth rate and is expected to continue on a high growth trajectory. With high economic growth, the APAC region has become the largest e-commerce market in the world. The e-commerce sector in APAC was valued at US6.146 trillion by 2030, accounting for a share of more than half the global retail e-commerce market. Rapid urbanisation, along with rise in incomes and technological developments (such as 4IR technologies), have led to the growth of e-commerce in the region. A policy push towards digitalisation by key countries and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has further facilitated the growth of e-commerce in this region with consumers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) increasingly using e-commerce platforms. Producers and exporters are now using e-commerce platforms to enhance their global reach. In many countries, governments have come up with initiatives to support the use of e-commerce platforms by MSMEs for exports.
The sudden growth of e-commerce disrupted traditional supply chains in the APAC region and created the need for a robust and predictable regulatory environment to facilitate the ease of doing business, both domestic and cross-border, while simultaneously addressing issues like consumer safety and privacy. Therefore, e-commerce is now a key component of all new age trade agreements. However, there is neither a framework nor strategy for regulatory co-operation, policy dialogue, initiatives and sharing of best practices at the APAC level to facilitate more cross-border trade.
Given this background, the objective of this paper is to (a) examine the growth of e-commerce in the Asia-Pacific region, (b) identify the growth drivers and the contribution of the sector to MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and allied sectors like express delivery services, (c) examine the policy landscape and how it is evolving in APAC countries with a focus on learning from each other’s best practices (d) identify the policy and other challenges such as those related to cross-border data sharing, consumer privacy, cross-border payments, gaps in paperless trade, etc., that may impact the current and/or future growth of the e-commerce sector and its users and (e) make recommendations to facilitate cross border e-commerce trade and help users of e-commerce platforms like MSMEs and women entrepreneurs enhance their global reach.</p
Leveraging digital technologies to improve quality of life for older persons : case studies from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea
Get PDFThis report reviews strategies in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, reviewing policies
and programs aimed at improving life quality for older adults. Through case studies, it
highlights trends, challenges, and lessons in creating inclusive, tech-driven ageing societies.
Chapter 1 provides an overview of the importance of age-friendly cities and the roles that
a digital society plays in equipping these with improved productivity and connectivity to
support loneliness and keeping families connected. This is followed by Chapter 2 which
will introduce the profiles of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea as key countries of
interest for the case studies in the East and North-East Asia region and their demographic
transitions, including policies undertaken to adapt to this change.
Individual case studies are presented in Chapter 3 from China, Japan and the Republic
of Korea, highlighting the use of digital technologies to improve the quality of life and
cohesiveness of communities. Finally, Chapter 4 summarizes the importance of lessons
learned in building age-friendly cities and the need for continuous review and improvement due
to the ever-evolving nature of the issues faced by demographic and technological change.Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: CREATING AGE-FRIENDLY DIGITAL SOCIETIES ·················································· 9
1.1 Sectoral Roles in a Digital Society ························································································ 11
1.2 Challenges in Digital Adoption and Adaptation ································································· 13
1.3 Objective of The Report ········································································································· 15
CHAPTER 2: COUNTRY PROFILES AND POLICIES···································································· 17
2.1 China ········································································································································ 18
2.1.1 China’s Population Ageing and Development of New Technology ······························ 18
2.1.2 Policy Framework to Promote the Development of Smart Care for Older Adults ····· 20
2.2 Japan ········································································································································ 25
2.2.1. Japan’s Demographics and Need for Digital Transformation ····································· 25
2.2.2 The “Digital Garden City Nation Vision” of Digital Agency, Japan ································ 27
2.2.3 The Promotion of “LIFE”, Scientifically Based Care for Older Adults ··························· 28
2.2.4 The Promotion of ICT Utilization in the Field of Care for Older Adults ························ 29
2.3 Republic of Korea ··················································································································· 31
2.3.1 Population Ageing and Social Transformation in the Republic of Korea ···················· 31
2.3.2 Economic Growth and Digitalization in the Republic of Korea ····································· 32
CHAPTER 3: DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CASE STUDIES ······························································ 35
3.1 China ········································································································································ 36
3.1.1 5G Enabled Healthcare – Improving Healthcare Capacity of Communities ·············· 36
3.1.2 Beihang Elderly Care Alliance - A Smart Community-based Care Service Model ····· 39
3.1.3 Yunlin Life Apartments - Comprehensive Smart Home Care System ························· 48
3.1.4 UBTECH Smart Care Solution for the Elderly ·································································· 53
3.1.5 Bili Smart TV – Digital Smart TV Applications for Older Adults ··································· 59
3.1.6 Qianchi Xuetang – Learning Platform for Older Adults ················································· 64
3.2 Japan ········································································································································ 69
3.2.1 “Smile Miyakonjo” – Exclusive Digital Services for Local Residents via My Number Card 69
3.2.2 DS Selrea Oral AI Assessment Application ······································································ 72
3.2.3 QR Code Jell Nail Stickers for People with Dementia ···················································· 75
3.2.4 VR Dementia – Dementia Experience through VR to Improve Care ···························· 77
3.2.5 Shakai Sanka no Susume Application by Hitachi ··························································· 81
3.3 Republic of Korea ··················································································································· 85
3.3.1 CLOVA AI CareCall ··············································································································· 85
3.3.2 SKT AI Speaker Cognitive Training ····················································· 87
3.3.3 Ever Young Korea ················································································································ 89
3.3.4 Emergency Alarm and Safety Service ·············································································· 91
3.3.5 National Information Society Agency (NIA) Digital Learning Centers ························· 94
3.3.6 Seoul 50 Plus Foundation ·································································································· 96
CHAPTER 4: RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION ························································· 99
4.1 Building Human Capacities ································································································· 100
4.2 Infrastructure and Support for Development of Products and Services ······················ 100
4.3 Inclusive Built Environments and Social Structures ························································ 101
4.4 Coordination of Policies and Standards ··········································································· 102
4.5 Evolving Nature of Ageing ··································································································· 10
Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII) 2.0 economy profile 2024 : Philippines
Get PDFThis brief provides a concise summary of the Philippines’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 the Philippines 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, the Philippines’s digital trade policies related to tariffs and trade defence on ICT goods, content access, and cross-border data policies are relatively enabling. However, compliance costs are relatively high concerning policies on intellectual property rights, internet intermediary liability, and foreign direct investment in sectors relevant to digital trade. Additionally, it highlights new policy measures, proposals related to digital trade, and the Philippines’s participation in trade negotiations involving digital trade.
For more information, please visit Initiative on Digital Trade Regulatory Integration
Status of road safety in the Asia-Pacific Region 2024
No full textThe report highlights the importance of adopting and reinforcing the Safe System
Approach, in alignment with global frameworks such as the Decade of Action for Road
Safety 2021–2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Target 3.6
on reducing road traffic deaths and injuries. In conclusion, the report calls for further
research, policy innovation, and community engagement to enhance enforcement
effectiveness, ensuring sustained progress toward safer roads in the Asia-Pacific
region.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................................1
1 FACING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION...................................3
2 ROAD SAFETY TRENDS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION .........................................................7
2.1 REGIONAL AND SUBREGIONAL TRENDS IN ROAD TRAFFIC DEATHS...................................................7
2.2 ROAD TRAFFIC DEATH TRENDS ACROSS INCOME CATEGORIES .....................................................12
2.3 ROAD SAFETY TRENDS AMONG VULNERABLE ROAD USERS..........................................................14
2.4 GENDER DISPARITIES IN ROAD SAFETY........................................................................................17
2.5 FUTURE PROJECTIONS: ANTICIPATED ROAD SAFETY TRENDS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION ...........18
3 ROAD SAFETY LEGISLATIONS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION............................................21
3.1 PROGRESS ON KEY ROAD SAFETY LEGISLATIONS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.............................21
3.2 SPEED MANAGEMENT LAW AND ENFORCEMENT............................................................................23
3.3 DRINK-DRIVING AND DRUG-DRIVING LAWS AND ENFORCEMENT .....................................................26
3.4 DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT............................................................................28
3.5 MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW AND ENFORCEMENT ..........................................................................29
3.6 SEAT-BELT LAW AND ENFORCEMENT............................................................................................31
3.7 CHILD RESTRAINT LAW AND ENFORCEMENT .................................................................................32
3.8 POST-CRASH RESPONSE ............................................................................................................33
3.9 SAFER VEHICLE STANDARDS .......................................................................................................34
3.10 ROAD SAFETY MANAGEMENT.......................................................................................................36
4 CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS..............................................................38
APPENDICES........................................................................................................................................4