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Challenges and best practices for the operationalization of the green and SDG finance taxonomy in Mongolia
No full textThis discussion paper evaluates the implementation of Mongolia's green finance and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) taxonomy, identifying key challenges and opportunities. Based on survey responses from eight commercial banks, the paper assesses institutional readiness, classification practices, and monitoring processes. The findings reveal that while awareness and initial adoption of the taxonomy are widespread, inconsistencies in classification, limited data availability, and the lack of detailed technical screening criteria hinder its effective use. Additionally, banks and regulators face challenges in reporting, verification, and accessing international climate finance. The paper highlights the need for coordinated action among financial institutions, regulators, and government agencies, recommending improved disclosure guidance, comprehensive monitoring frameworks, capacity building, and targeted regulatory incentives to align financial flows with national sustainability goals.The Partnership Action fund of the NDC PartnershipDisclaimer 2
About this report 3
Acknowledgment 4
List of Figures and Tables 6
Acronyms and Abbreviations 9
Executive Summary 10
1. Introduction 13
2.Taxonomy Principles and Overview 17
3. State of Implementation of the Mongolian Green Taxonomy 25
4. Monitoring, Reporting and Verification 39
5. Recommendations 4
Programme. Policy Dialogue on Creative Industries : New Frontiers of Growth, 15 July 2025, Florence, Italy
No full textPresentation. National Office for implementation innovation and technology transfer. Subregional Workshop on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development with a focus on Digital Public Services for SMEs in North and Central Asia, and Fifth session of the SPECA Working Group on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development
No full textFeasibility study on cross-border electronic exchange of trade data and documents : Kazakhstan
Full text linkThis study assesses the feasibility of implementing the electronic exchange of trade data and documents between Kazakhstan and potential partner countries. It identifies Kazakhstan’s key trading partners and examines the readiness and capacity to implement electronic exchange of particular documents used in cross-border trade.
The study examines the current trade environment and information exchange practices between international traders and government agencies and organizations. It analyzes the authorization documents used and their cross-border exchange practices and identifies bottlenecks. The study also reviews and identifies Kazakhstan's key trading partner countries in the Central Asian region and beyond for project implementation.
From this analysis, the study identifies potential projects for implementing cross-border information exchange on phytosanitary certificates between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as on certificates of origin between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
For the proposed project on cross-border information exchange of phytosanitary certificates between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the study suggests that the exchange be implemented by integrating the existing national Information Systems of both countries with the international platform ePhyto Hub. The project should include the development and adaptation of the technological infrastructure required for the automatic exchange of data on issued phytosanitary certificates and the establishment of procedures for the secure and efficient exchange of information. The implementation of this system is expected to result in significant reductions in processing time and costs. Specifically, the project could reduce processing time by 39,860 hours and save Kazakhstan about USD 258,786 per year and provide a total economic benefit of USD 397,869 per year to both countries. The net present value (NPV) of the project for both parties over 5 years is estimated at USD 1,174,436, and the return on investment (ROI) will reach 496% over the same period, which makes the project economically feasible and efficient.
With regard to the proposed project on cross-border electronic exchange of certificates of origin between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, a model based on information exchange through national Single Window mechanisms is proposed. This model would allow the exchange of information from the electronic database of certificates of origin. Specifically, the project could reduce processing time by 22,002 hours and save Kazakhstan about USD 124,678 per year and provide a total economic benefit of USD 203,850 per year to both countries. The net present value (NPV) of the project for both parties over 5 years is estimated at USD 458,351, and the return on investment (ROI) will reach 224% over the same period, which indicates that the project is economically feasible and efficient.
Implementation of the projects is expected to simplify trade procedures, increase transparency and predictability of transactions, and reduce risks associated with falsification of documents. In the long run, the initiatives are anticipated to contribute to strengthening economic ties between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, improving the terms of trade and enhancing competitiveness of the countries in the international arena.
In order to fully benefit from implementing such electronic exchange, holistic efforts are needed. Recommendations include enhancing the necessary information systems and platforms, ensuring a conducive regulatory environment, and putting in place modern data protection and security measures, among other technical improvements. These should be accompanied by capacity building, training and support for involved stakeholders. Global and regional platforms and mechanisms, as well as partnerships with developmental organizations, should be leveraged to further enhance the effectiveness of developments in these areas
Open data policy framework in the digital economy
No full textThe Briefing Note Series aims to provide at-a-glance information of key ICTD issues for policymakers and to facilitate their understanding of the potential of ICT when formulating national development policies and programmes. This Briefing Note focuses on policy considerations drawn from "Open Data Policy Framework and Cases in the Digital Economy" Academy module
Evaluation of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM)
Full text linkThis is the final report of the evaluation of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Development of Disaster
Information Management (APDIM), also referred to as the ‘Centre’ where appropriate, covering the
period from 2020 to 2024. APDIM is a regional intergovernmental institute established by the ESCAP
resolution 71/11 adopted in 2015, in consideration of the need for and the important contribution of
disaster information management for disaster risk reduction and building resilience to disasters,
towards realisation of inclusive and sustainable development in the Asia and the Pacific.
The main purpose of the evaluation is to provide ESCAP with an impartial and reliable body of evidence
regarding APDIM’s performance. This will facilitate their deliberations during the 81st session of the
Commission in April 2025 on APDIM’s continued relevance and financial viability. The evaluation also
provide ESCAP management with forward-looking actionable recommendations to improve the
results orientation and performance of the Centre. The specific objectives of the evaluation are:
(i) To assess the results achieved and performance of APDIM using the standard evaluation
criteria, including impact, relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and gender/disability inclusion mainstreaming.
(ii) To determine ways to enhance the results-orientation of APDIM and identify specific
forward-looking outputs and delivery modalities that are most relevant to the member
States, based on needs expressed by relevant stakeholders.
(iii) To recommend actions for improving the results orientation and performance of the Centre.
The evaluation covers the management and implementation of the work programme of APDIM over
the period 2020-2024, alongside its Multi-year Strategic Programme of Work 2021-2030, and the bi annual and annual work plans. Framed by the specified criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency,
impact, gender/disability inclusion, and sustainability, the evaluation has examined the performance
of the Centre to establish how it has utilised the mandate aligned with the ESCAP objectives and the
available resources to provide strategic guidance responding the disaster information needs of the
Asia and the Pacific region.Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................... v
List of acronyms..................................................................................................................................... vi
Executive summary............................................................................................................................... vii
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Overview of APDIM.......................................................................................................................1
1.2 Purpose and objectives of the evaluation ....................................................................................2
Expected use of the evaluation...........................................................................................................3
2. Description of the Centre....................................................................................................................4
2.1 Background ...................................................................................................................................4
2.2 Theory of change ..........................................................................................................................6
2.3 Organizational structure ...............................................................................................................7
2.4 Beneficiaries, target countries and key partners..........................................................................7
2.5 Resources......................................................................................................................................7
2.6 Previous evaluations.....................................................................................................................8
3. Evaluation scope and methodology....................................................................................................9
3.1 Evaluation scope ...........................................................................................................................9
3.2 Evaluation approach .....................................................................................................................9
3.3 Data collection and analysis..........................................................................................................9
3.4 Stakeholder analysis ...................................................................................................................10
3.5 Sampling......................................................................................................................................10
3.6 Gender equality, disability inclusion and other cross-cutting issues..........................................11
3.7 Ethical considerations.................................................................................................................11
3.8 Risks and limitations ...................................................................................................................11
4. Evaluation Findings...........................................................................................................................13
4.1 Relevance....................................................................................................................................13
4.2 Effectiveness...............................................................................................................................15
4.3 Efficiency .....................................................................................................................................19
4.4 Impact .........................................................................................................................................22
4.5 Gender equality, disability inclusion and other cross-cutting issues..........................................24
4.6 Sustainability...............................................................................................................................26
5. Conclusions.......................................................................................................................................30
6.Recommendations.............................................................................................................................32</p
Impact of trade facilitation, digitalization and sector- specific measures on agricultural trade
Full text linkThis study examines the impact of trade facilitation measures on agricultural trade flows at the global level. It does so by using data on implementation of measures from the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation to estimate a structural gravity model of trade. The findings highlight a strong positive relationship between digitalization of trade procedures and trade in agricultural products. A statistically significant positive relationship is also found between agriculture-specific trade facilitation measures and agricultural trade. The results confirm the importance of sector-specific agricultural trade facilitation measures, including national standards and accreditation bodies to facilitate compliance with SPS, availability of testing and laboratory facilities for SPS compliance, use of electronic SPS certificates, and special handling provisions for perishable goods at borders. However, the effects vary significantly across country groups. Sector-specific measures result in trade gains nearly three times larger between developed and developing countries (North-South and South-North) than those in the case of North-North trade and twice as large as the global average. Overall, the results suggest the need to develop agricultural trade facilitation strategies that integrate ambitious trade digitalization initiatives and targeted agriculture-specific measures
Evaluation of the project on catalyzing women’s entrepreneurship : creating a gender-responsive entrepreneurial ecosystem
No full textThe Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the regional intergovernmental
platform and development arm of the United Nations responsible for assisting members and associate
members in integrating sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. Its work aims to ensure regional
cooperation for sustainable development, particularly in reducing rising inequalities within and across
countries.
The project "Catalyzing Women's Entrepreneurship: Creating a Gender-Responsive Entrepreneurial
Ecosystem" (CWE) was implemented from 2018 to 2024 in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Nepal, Samoa, and
Viet Nam and aimed to foster women's economic empowerment, reduce poverty, and increase gender
equality by supporting women's entrepreneurship in selected countries of the Asia-Pacific region. It was
designed to improve women’s access to capital through innovative financing mechanisms and enhance
women entrepreneurs’ use of business development services and financial technologies and support the
development of gender-responsive policies and strengthen ecosystems that create and sustain an enabling
environment for women entrepreneurs. The Government of Canada funded CWE through Global Affairs
Canada.
ESCAP commissioned this evaluation report to assess project performance across its implementation
period while identifying lessons and recommendations for future projects, following UNEG standards and
ESCAP guidelines. The evaluation took place between June 2024 and November 2024. The primary users
of the evaluation results are ESCAP, particularly the implementing divisions. Other expected users include
the project’s participating countries and implementing partners.Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................ ii
List of acronyms.................................................................................................................................. iii
Executive summary............................................................................................................................. iv
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
2. Description of the Project........................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Background ........................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Project theory of change ...................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Project strategies.................................................................................................................. 4
2.4 Innovative elements ............................................................................................................. 4
2.5 Beneficiaries, target countries and key partners.................................................................. 4
2.6 Resources.............................................................................................................................. 5
3. Evaluation Scope and Methodology ........................................................................................... 6
3.1 Evaluation scope ................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Evaluation approach ............................................................................................................. 6
3.3 Data collection and analysis.................................................................................................. 7
3.4 Stakeholder analysis ............................................................................................................. 9
3.5 Sampling................................................................................................................................ 9
3.6 Risks and limitations............................................................................................................. 9
4. Evaluation Findings................................................................................................................... 10
4.1. Relevance........................................................................................................................... 10
4.2 Effectiveness....................................................................................................................... 12
4.3 Efficiency............................................................................................................................. 17
4.4 Impact................................................................................................................................. 20
4.5 Sustainability....................................................................................................................... 24
4.6 Gender mainstreaming and disability inclusion ................................................................. 26
5. Conclusions............................................................................................................................... 29
6. Lessons learned/good practices ............................................................................................... 31
7. Recommendations.................................................................................................................... 32
ANNEXES ........................................................................................................................................... 34
Annex 1: Evaluation TORs.................................................................................................. 34
Annex 2: Project’s theory of change .................................................................................. 47
Annex 3: Performance Monitoring Framework.................................................................. 48
Annex 4: Evaluation matrix ............................................................................................... 55
Annex 5: Detailed Methodology........................................................................................ 57
Annex 6: Data collection instruments................................................................................ 58
Annex 7: List of individuals interviewed ............................................................................ 60
Annex 8: List of documents reviewed ................................................................................ 62
Annex 9: Management response ....................................................................................... 6