1,729,448 research outputs found
Integration of migrants from Central Asia to the Russian Federation
No full textThis policy brief is based on an unpublished working paper on “Integration of migrants from Central Asia in the Russian Federation”, commissioned by ESCAP. The working paper utilized survey data from five studies conducted by the author (2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2023), each with similar but not identical methodologies and different research focuses. The objective of this policy brief is to highlight the status of migrant worker integration in the Russian Federation and provide summary conclusions. The focus is on migrant workers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
ESCAP documents and publications, 1994/95
No full textThis bibliographic compilation, published by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), provides an annotated listing of documents and publications issued by ESCAP during 1994 and 1995. It serves as a reference guide to development-related information generated by ESCAP’s divisions, units, and special projects. The document is structured into two main parts: a bibliography with detailed annotations and a general index categorized by subject, author, institution, meeting, and country. It covers a wide range of topics including economic development, trade, environment, energy, population, and social issues across the Asia-Pacific region.Introductory note........................ v
Main descriptors ........................ vii
Bibliography ............................ 1
General index ........................... 4
ESCAP documents and publications, 1996/97
Full text linkESCAP Documents and Publications is the Library's annual print-out of the development information produced by the secretariat's divisions, units and special projects. It is intended as a guide to the data stored in the Library's ESCAP Bibliographic Information System (EBIS).
This publication contains annotated extracts from documents, research studies, directories, manuals and handbooks, bibliographies, periodicals and other materials issued during the period covered. It is divided into five parts: Part I: The Bibliography lists all title entries with complete bibliographic descriptions and annotations in alphabetical order, which can be identified by an assigned reference number. Part II, III, IV and V: Four indexes, author, keyword, document symbol and meeting respectively.</p
Linking weaver’s cooperatives with global markets : a case study of the Handloom Export Zone in Nagercoil, India
Full text linkA case study of the Handloom Export Zone in Nagercoil, India and Annex
Beyond implementing a pilot project in Nagapattinam, ESCAP has documented a second example of a post-tsunami reconstruction project that created a partnership between private companies and communities.
The weaver’s cooperatives in Nagercoil (Tamil Nadu, India) produced only low-quality materials for the local market, and consequently received low wages. At the same time, exporters were facing supply constraints to serve the demand of Indian handloom products from export markets. This project introduced some simple technical improvements, trained 250 weavers and established links between the cooperatives and the exporters, increasing earnings for the weavers and ensuring the supply for the exporters. The project was fully funded by the donor, but given the returns for both producers and exporters, this case study concludes that a commercial replication could be viable.
This case study was documented by Ms. Santha K. Erinjiyal, consultant for ESCAP under the project “Building community resilience to disasters through partnerships”. The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Secretariat.</p
Singapore 2065 : leading insights on economy and environment from 50 Singapore icons and beyond
Full text linkRecently, Wired.com featured an article titled, “Here’s How People 100 Years Ago Thought We’d Be Living Today.” 1 The article showcased several Victorian postcards that imagined how the future would look like. My favorite is one of a seahorse cavalry. Of course, seahorse cavalries have no place in a modern military force. Divisions of armored tanks, an invention with unimaginable firepower has long replaced cavalries. If few saw the possibility of so formidable a weapon, then even fewer could have imagined advancements as transformational as that of computers and information technology. Today, with the touch of a button, we have the wealth of human knowledge at our disposal. Indeed, the future is mercurial and filled with boundless possibilities. Any attempt at such an imagination is bound to be a “prisoner of the present” in the words of Barry Desker, a contributing author of Singapore 206
Transport and communications bulletin for Asia and the Pacific, No. 93 : low carbon transport
No full textThe volume starts off with an Op-Ed by Duan, discussing mobility trends that are shaping Asia-Pacific cities. This piece aims to draw attention to increasing automation, connected capabilities and the decarbonization potential of alternative zero emission fuels in urban transport. The author also discusses the uncertainties and risks that come with the changing landscape in urban mobility and raises topical questions that policy makers can consider for navigating the new transport environment.
The Bulletin continues with three peer reviewed papers. The first article by Park and Jung, presents recent research that lends additional insight to the efforts for transition to Electric Vehicles (EV). The vii Transport and Communications Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific No. 93 Low Carbon Transport paper focuses on understanding the physical, functional, and social dimensions of urbanization and considers the interrelationships and impacts of factors surrounding cities. Therefrom, the paper suggests the key factors to be considered in formulating policies meant to incentivize EV adoption and argues that these factors would allow for customized approaches that would be more effective in shifting consumer preferences than fiscal incentives and subsidies alone.
The second article by Chaivongvilan and Sathitkunarat brings up topical questions about climate technologies and how policy priorities can impact technology prioritization. In this connection, the authors draw from the experience of Thailand, namely the initial prioritization of second and third generation biofuels as a viable climate technology in 2012, and the unforeseen implementation barriers that have arisen since then. In particular, the article argues that the rapid advancements in electric vehicle batteries have made electric vehicles more affordable and have extended driving ranges, posing a challenge to biofuels, whose link to low-carbon transport is pathway-specific and whose production is not competitive as compared other technologies. The paper suggests that prioritization of climate technologies should be undertaken once more, in the light of lessons learned, and proposes a methodology for effective Technology Needs Assessments.
The third article by Lee discusses the decarbonization of the shipping sector through the Green Shipping Corridors concept, aimed at establishing zero-emissions shipping routes connecting multiple ports, which has gained prominence in recent years. The paper makes a case that some of the main challenges are how shipping companies can build zero-emission ships and run their fleets at competitive cost levels, as well as how sufficient green energy and fuels for the ships can be produced and deployed on the shipping routes. Against this background, the paper concludes that governance and institutional measures will be key in unlocking the potential of Green Shipping Corridors as a decarbonization pathway for shipping.
The increase of modal share of rail transport as a low carbon mode for freight transport is discussed in an interview with Thailand’s Rail Technology Research and Development Agency, which conducted a practical case study for the transport of rolled steel products. The case study demonstrates the challenges to effective modal shift and multimodal transport and the policy measures needed to reduce the logistics cost of multimodal transport as compared to “road-only” transport.
Finally, this 93rd edition also features an exhibition piece, compiled from a survey undertaken in six countries, to assess the availability of low-carbon transport options for commuters, the public awareness of such options and the incentives for their use. It is hoped that this 2023 edition will provide a well-rounded overview of low carbon transport issues in the region and stimulate innovative thinking and ideas on this topic. For the 93rd issue, the Bulletin focuses on the theme of “Low Carbon Transport”.
Among all the factors directly influencing the capacity of Asia and the Pacific to deliver on the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, transport stands out as a continuous challenge and a tremendous opportunity for the transition to economic, social and environmental sustainability. The demand for transport and mobility, as compounded by the emergence and continued development of geographically dispersed supply chains, while already consuming a major part of the region’s natural resources, is continually on the brink of exceeding capacity. Since 2010, the transport sector’s emissions have increased faster than any other end-use sector. It represents the largest energy consuming sector in 40 per cent of countries worldwide, and is the second largest in most of the remaining countries.
Increasing pressures arising from the fact that transport remains a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a major consumer of fossil fuels, as well as from emerging and potentially disruptive technologies, indicate that traditional thinking around transport policies and actions need to be reassessed. The understanding of how low-carbon transport and energy technologies will evolve is still not well developed, and assessing this gap remains challenging for the transport sector. Climate change and the growing frequency of extreme weather events also increase the vulnerability of transport networks and call for leaps in the quality and reliability of transport connectivity across the region. The adoption of low carbon transport strategies; the development of mass transit systems in cities; the shift to renewable energy sources, including the transition towards electric mobility, as well as prioritizing active mobility are maturing in the region. However, the pace is not fast enough to decarbonize transport by mid-century as committed by many countries.
This year, on 26 November 2023, the United Nations celebrated the inaugural World Sustainable Transport Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in resolution A/RES/77/286. Among others, the resolution invited organizations of the United Nations system to enhance the knowledge of the public on sustainable transport issues. In that spirit, this year’s issue of the Bulletin features the traditional peer-reviewed papers as well as additional content on Low Carbon Transport, such as opinion pieces, interviews and surveys.</p
Social problems of low income groups : some legal approaches
No full textThe first session of the Workshop on Social Problems of Low-income Groups : Some Legal Approaches' was held at Bangkok from 17 to 23 February 1981. The Workshop was attended by 16 participants from seven ESCAP member countries, namely, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand;representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Asia Foundation; and observers from the following non-governmental organizations : Agricultural Development Council (ADC), American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Institute for Law and Criminology (ILC) (Jakarta), People's Organization for Participation (Thailand) and Tham- masat UniversityCONTENTS
I. Organization of the Workshop...................................................1
II. Country presentations...................................................4
III. Discussion themes...................................................8
A. System predictability...................................................8
B. Participation...................................................12
C. Law...................................................16
IV. Law and participation workshops...................................................20
V. Recommendations for an ESCAP Law and Participation programme...................................................24
VI. Adoption of the report...................................................2
Country briefing notes 2013 : Fiji and Samoa
No full textThis country briefing notes for Fiji and Samoa covers recent trends in economic and social development. It has been produced as an accompaniment to the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2013
Food losses in international trade : case studies from Asia and the Pacific
No full textFood losses in international trade have high socio-economic costs, impacting food security, waste management, and climate change. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that around 800 million people face food shortages and that one-third of all food, amounting to 1.3 billion tons annually, spoils worldwide – this figure is expected to rise to over two billion tons by 2030. The FAO’s Food Loss Index indicates that about 14% of food is lost from post-harvest to the delivery at the last trading point, excluding retail losses. As such, reducing food losses associated with international trade could significantly alleviate world hunger and improve food security.
Both developed and developing countries experience food losses, with a significantly higher magnitude in developing countries. The main reasons for greater food losses in these countries include inadequate trade logistics, poor storage and handling, unfavourable climate, infrequent transport services, outdated storage facilities, lack of cold chain infrastructure, sub-standard packaging, limited market knowledge, inefficient marketing institutions, and losses due to non-compliance with quality and sanitary-phytosanitary standards.
This publication not only identifies the critical challenges faced by developing countries in managing food losses in international trade but also offers a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay of factors contributing to these losses. Each chapter serves as a detailed case study, providing valuable insights into the specific conditions and practices in different countries, and collectively they paint a broader picture of the scenario that developing countries face in the region.
Chapter 1 focuses on India’s food trade uncovers the intricate journey of food products from packing to delivery, excluding final retail. The in-depth analysis based on a primary survey of India’s three largest traded food products sheds light on the nature, causes, and stages of food losses. The study’s findings are particularly relevant for policymakers and stakeholders in developing countries, offering a roadmap for reducing food losses through tailored measures at various levels of the supply chain.
In Chapter 2, the examination of Indonesian tuna exports highlights the impact of differing international standards and regulations on food losses. The study underscores the importance of harmonizing standards and improving the understanding and dissemination of these standards among stakeholders in the tuna trade. It suggests that addressing both the micro-level issues, such as improving post-harvest handling and sanitation, and macro-level challenges, like the complexity of non-tariff measures, can significantly reduce food loss in this sector.
Chapter 3 provides an insightful analysis of Sri Lanka’s agricultural trade. By using the Standard Compliance Analytics of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the research identifies significant rejection rates at Sri Lankan borders. The study emphasizes the need for enhanced awareness among exporters and government officials about both domestic and international regulations, suggesting that improving infrastructure in the agricultural value chain can play a crucial role in reducing border food losses.
Lastly, Chapter 4’s exploration of Bangladesh’s fruit and vegetable trade underscores the dire need for infrastructural improvements, including cold storage systems and specialized transportation facilities, to combat food losses. The paper calls for a multifaceted approach, involving compliance with agricultural best practices, effective post-harvest handling, and governmental support to foster a conducive environment for reducing food loss.
Together, these chapters offer a comprehensive perspective on the various dimensions of food losses in international trade, particularly in developing countries. They highlight the need for concerted efforts at both national and international levels to address this critical issue. The strategies and insights presented are not only academically valuable but also practical, providing a foundation for future policymaking and implementation aimed at reducing food losses, enhancing food security, and ultimately contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. </p
Ocean accounts China : mangrove assets and ecosystem services in Beihai, Guangxi
No full textThis brief summarizes activities and results of ocean accounting pilot in Beihai, Guangxi, China. The six-month pilot study in China looked at mangrove assets and ecosystem services in Beihai, Guangxi. This was chosen as the research focus because of the importance of mangrove forests and the availability of data.Click here to read
additional ocean accounting pilots were conducted in Thailand, Viet Nam, Straits of Malacca and Samoa
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