Meeting the Challenges in an Era of Globalization by Strengthening Regional Development Cooperation

Front contents

Introduction

I. Globalization: opportunities and challenge

A. New forces driving globalization

B. Globalization: the Asia-Pacific situation

1. Trade
2. Finance
3. Communication
4. Transport
5. Income and poverty
6. "Divides" in the Asia-Pacific region

C. The challenge of national economic policy in an era of globalization

D. The challenges of globalization: multilateral responses

II. Regional cooperation: conceptual framework and Asia-Pacific experience

Introduction

A. Rationale for regional cooperation

B. Regional cooperation and interlinkages among different sectors

C. Regional cooperation in a globalizing world

D. Asia-Pacific experience of regional cooperation

1. Features and dynamics of Asia-Pacific regional cooperation
2. Structure and objectives of selected subregional groups in Asia-Pacific

E. Future of regional cooperation in Asia-Pacific

1. Integrating diverse economies
2. Important issues for future cooperation
3. Can Asia-Pacific go the EU way?

III. Regional cooperation in trade

Introduction

A. World Trade Organization and Regional Trading Arrangements

B. Structure and trends of Asia-Pacific RTAs

C. Analysis of selected regional trade and investment agreements

1. Salient features of selected agreements
2. Intra-bloc trade in the region
3. Interaction among countries and subregions in trade and investment areas

D. Regional trade and concerns of developing countries

E. Issues in strengthening cooperation in trade and investment

1. Improving the effectiveness of trade agreements
2. Cooperation beyond trade
3. Roles for large and small countries
4. Synthesizing RTAs with a multilateral process: important issues

F. ESCAP's future role

1. Multilateral trade and investment cooperation track
2. Regional trade and investment cooperation track
3. Bilateral trade and investment cooperation track

IV. Regional cooperation in transport

Introduction

A. Issues in transport cooperation

B. Selected regional cooperation in the transport sector

1. Transport cooperation in ASEAN
2. Cooperation in transport and related issues in ECO
3. Transport cooperation in Pacific island countries
4. Transport and infrastructure development cooperation in SAARC
5. ESCAP's initiatives in transport cooperation
6. Other important initiatives in the region

C. Observations on regional cooperation in the area of transport

D. ESCAP's future role in transport

1. Strengthening transport networks through regional cooperation
2. Improving information and skills for transport planning
3. Reducing barriers to transport
4. Future regional cooperation in the transport sector

V. Regional cooperation in information and communication technology (ICT)

Introduction

A. Analysis of selected regional cooperation in ICT

1. ICT cooperation in ASEAN
2. ICT cooperation in Pacific island countries
3. ICT cooperation in SAARC
4. ESCAP's initiatives on ICT

B. Promoting further regional cooperation in the area of ICT

VI. Financial cooperation in Asia and the Pacific

Introduction

A. Existing financial cooperation in Asia-Pacific

1. Developments in response to the 1997 Asian crisis
2. Cooperation among central banks
3. Cooperation in insurance
4. Development financing arrangements

B. Prospects for future financial cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region

1. Mobilization of domestic and international resources for development
2. Addressing systemic issues
3. Financial infrastructure development
4. Securitization of SME bonds

C. Looking ahead: a vision for financial development and integration in Asia and the Pacific

1. Financial modernization and integration
2. An Asian monetary fund: can the region justify its case?
3. Currency union: a long-term vision?

D. A possible role for ESCAP in promoting financial cooperation

1. Building channels of communication and policy dialogue: making ESCAP a "knowledge centre"
2. Concluding remarks

VII. Regional cooperation: forging a common vision

Annex I

Annex II

Annex III

Annex IV

Annex V

Annex VI

Annex VII