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Digital and sustainable trade facilitation : global report 2023
No full textBased on the fourth United Nations global survey on digital and sustainable trade facilitation.This report was Jointly prepared by five United Nations Regional Commissions (UNRCs) for Africa (ECA), Europe (ECE), Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and Western Asia (ESCWA) as well as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This report presents the results of the fifth UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. It brings together information from countries worldwide pertaining to the implementation of a wide range of trade facilitation measures, going beyond the scope of measures included in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The report endeavours to foster a forward-looking approach to trade facilitation for countries and development partners, facilitating a deeper comprehension and monitoring of progress, supporting evidence-based public policies, sharing good practices, and identifying emerging needs for capacity-building and technical assistance. The Survey found that the global average trade facilitation implementation rate of 31 general and digital trade facilitation measures stands at 69%. Despite continued disturbances in international trade, significant progress was observed in making more efficient trade facilitation over the past two years. Also, empirical evidence shows that full digital trade facilitation implementation beyond the WTO TFA commitments could cut average trade cost globally by nearly 14%, almost 7 percentage points more than what could be expected from meeting the binding and non-binding requirements of the WTO TFA. For other reports and the results of the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation 2023, please visit http://www.untfsurvey.org Preparation of the report benefited from the support of the Republic of Korea as well as from the support
of the Government of France
Public investment and project planning : a guidance note for Pacific Island Countries
Get PDFQuality infrastructure and investments in priority sectors drive sustainable development by reducing inequalities, and improving access to health, education, public services and income opportunities.
This guidance note underscores the importance of effective public investment planning and management. It recognizes the challenges governments of many Pacific Island Countries (PICs) face when designing and implementing investment projects. It draws on the experience of PICs over the decades to help improve investment outcomes through well designed project cycles that: • ensure well formulated projects aligned to national strategies and stakeholders’ interests; • use limited domestic funds wisely and leverages development partner support; and • produce results that make tangible improvements.
This guidance note assumes a degree of prior knowledge of government systems and processes such as national planning, the annual budget cycle and aid management within which an effective project cycle can be placed. It provides an overview of investment planning within the public sector, and indicates issues and references which can be further researched and sourced for detailed learning and application. In this regard, this guidance is not intended to provide exhaustive coverage of the detailed aspects of public investment planning.
The guidance note recognizes the key technical stages for applying an effective investment and project cycle. However, as each PIC has a unique contextual situation, how the project planning cycle is applied will thus depend on the organizational, decision-making, and administrative arrangements that are in place.Based on common technical issues and shared experiences in PICs, this document sets out a general guidance for practitioners aiming to improve the application of the investment and project cycle for better investment outcomes.
This guidance note is set out in specific sections which build on each step of the investment and project cycle. Section 2 sets the wider national planning and budget framework within which investment projects are a key component. The Section includes the role of the budget for guiding project choice and mobilizing funding.
Section 3 outlines the generic project cycle, in particular, the characteristics and important decision-making requirements at each stage of the cycle. The Section also highlights technical issues that can be applied to make each stage more effective, including: understanding the roles of different stakeholders; designing a logical result-based project approach; costing the inputs; measuring progress; identifying assumptions and risks; and assessing options for funding.
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Evaluation of the project on Capacity Building on Trade Facilitation and the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement Promotion to Strengthen Intra-Regional Cooperation (Phase III)
No full textCommissioned by Trade, Investment & Innovation, ESCAPBetween April 2019 and September 2022, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) implemented the project “Capacity-building on Trade Facilitation and the
Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement Promotion to Strengthen Intra-Regional Cooperation (Phase III)”.
The project focused on two main areas of support:1. Building capacity of stakeholders from ESCAP developing member States to implement
paperless trade, including through their participation in the Framework Agreement on
Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA), and
2. The promotion of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA).The aim of the evaluation is to assess the performance of the project, identify lessons learnt and
provide recommendations on (1) how the ESCAP secretariat can better work with its member states
and partners to effectively implement the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border
Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific and build capacities of the member states in propelling the
development of cross-border paperless trade; and (2) improve the reach and relevance of the Asia-
Pacific Trade Agreement.The team carried out a theory-based evaluation of the project, assessing the extent to which outputs
and outcomes have been achieved and examining the validity of assumptions that have been
articulated, linking the achievement of these outputs to outcomes and impact. The scope of the
evaluation included the project's design, strategy, and implementation over the full term of
implementation from April 2019 to September 2022. The evaluation covered the project's
implementation, outputs, and outcomes, including all project activities such as national and regional
workshops, advisory services, and technical support. The evaluation team followed the following
evaluation criteria: Effectiveness; Relevance; Efficiency; Sustainability, and Gender and human rights
mainstreaming. The expert team used both primary and secondary sources of data. The primary
sources of data included semi-structured interviews, while the secondary sources included document
review and ESCAP’s monitoring data on programme implementation.</p
Jakarta Declaration on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023-2032
Get PDFThis publication presents the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting Report and the commitments that will
guide the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2023–2032, namely the Jakarta Declaration,
the Incheon Strategy and the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan. Building on the achievements and
lessons learned from the previous three Decades, these commitments outline a whole-of-government
and all-of-society approach to “Make the Right Real” in the coming Decade
Asia-Pacific trade and investment trends brief 2022/2023 : Russian Federation
No full textThis brief covers recent trends and developments in trade and investment. It has been produced as an accompaniment to the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2022/2023.</p
Presentation. Wasteless. UNECE B2B conference on Innovation for the Circular Economy: Bridging Start-Ups and Corporations
No full text
Sustainable freight transport in ASEAN challenges and opportunities
Get PDFEconomic connectivity is a key political priority for Southeast Asian countries that are members of the ASEAN. Growing subregional transport and trade have generated an ‘economy of scale’ effect for the economic and social development. Over the last decade, a rapidly expanding labour force and a shift in economic activity towards the higher-productivity manufacturing sectors have contributed to the poverty reduction outcomes.
The transformational trade benefits of geographical proximity can be harvested only when the freight and logistics connectivity is efficient and sustainable. Global and regional developments in the economic, geopolitical, environmental, climate, and financial dimensions are reaching an upsurge, creating both unique challenges and opportunities for countries in Southeast Asia. Thus, the freight and logistics sector among the ASEAN Member States (AMS) is at crossroads.
Regional consultations4 carried out by ESCAP have established that developing efficient transport connectivity among countries faces unique challenges that need a comprehensive approach towards sustainability. Since freight transport is so often a cross-border activity, concerted action at the ASEAN level will enhance the chances of success.
The sustainable freight and logistics sector is now universally recognised as one of the core enablers of economic and social development.5 Since 2000, there has been a surge in global and regional initiatives and agreements that support the implementation of sustainable freight by encouraging stakeholders to improve freight transport efficiency and reduce external costs (like emissions and accidents) and strengthen resilience.
The proposed ASEAN Sustainable Freight Strategy 2030 in the report is a fit-for-purpose and future-proof freight strategy that will position the ASEAN Member States to meet the needs of the emerging economic, environmental, and social risks and opportunities. The approach adopted is circular, i.e. the starting point is the identification of ‘problems’ in the freight and logistics sector that need to be addressed, around which the strategy is then developed.
The strategy is founded on the principle of “Common Borders; Common Vision; Common Solutions” and acknowledges that freight transformation in the subregion will take years. However, based on past and present experiences, there is a general acceptance that a series of no-regret or quick win actions should be identified for immediate action. By focusing on no-regret actions, the strategy responds to the call from within the freight community for guidance on how the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals should be integrated within the freight operations.
For enhancing freight sustainability among ASEAN Member States the strategy provides, among others, for launching a sustainable freight transport capacity-building initiative, establishing a freight observatory and a sustainable freight coordinating platform at ASEAN level, encourage and promote sustainable modes of transport such as by developing a strategic plan on enhancing rail interoperability, and addressing urban freight transport challenges.
The proposed ASEAN Sustainable Freight Strategy 2030 is not intended to replace existing plans and investments but rather aims to provide actions to maximise the outputs of the system. The strategy must be seen together with and not in isolation from existing national logistics plans and trade and transport facilitation plans.
The strategy provides direction to all parts of the freight and logistics supply chain, including all modes. As well as setting out governments intention for freight and logistics, it provides for an important role for the private sector entities and civil society members. The strategy would facilitate the implementation of the ASEAN Transport Strategic Plan 2016-2025. Ultimately, the outcome of the strategy will be as strong as its actors. Its success will depend on its ownership and how it is ultimately synchronised into national plans.</p