Describes and analyses the local government system reforms aimed at decentralizing and devolving government functions to the local level that many of the countries of the region are currently undertaking. Findings of the country reports (Australia, Bangladesh, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Republic of Korea and Thailand) are centered around four main themes: backgrounds of local government, issues for local self-government, local capacity and agenda for further action. An annex contains the draft world charter for local self-government.