The analysis followed three previous studies carried out between 2012 and 2014 covering South & Southwest Asia, North & Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, for a total of 27 countries across the continent.
Women have made important contributions to the advancement in research and development. Despite an increase in the overall number of researchers over time in Asia and the Pacific, men have consistently outnumbered women. In addition, fewer women pursue science-related education than men. As the role of technology, science and innovation is emphasized in achieving the sustainable development goals beyond 2015, it is important to unlock the potential of women in these areas in order for them to make even greater contribution to the betterment of the humankind.
Afghanistan needs to capitalize on the potential for greater trade with its Central Asian neighbours, especially given the current headwinds facing the Afghan economy. Particular promise exists for: energy trade; transit trade linking Central Asia with South Asia; and trade among border communities. However, at present trade relations are extremely limited and significant barriers to further integration remain including tariff and non-tariff barriers, as well as transport and connectivity issues.
This issue of the Trade Insights series provides analysis of notifications submitted as part of the preparation for the implementation under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. Fifteen economies in the Asia-Pacific region have already submitted Category A notifications, i.e., the list of substantive provisions they have either already implemented or are committed to implement by the time the Agreement enters into force.
The current paper provides a review of natural disasters and their impacts in Asia and the Pacific by disaster type, subregion and level of development. The first section looks at the occurrence of natural disaster events. This is followed by an analysis of fatalities and economic loss in sections two and three respectively. The short-term consequences of natural disasters on the economy are also mentioned. The final section briefly discusses aspects regarding exposure and vulnerability of countries in Asia and the Pacific.
This issue of the Trade Insights series identifies Asia-Pacific LDCs and LLDCs with export-portfolios and economies which are at greatest risk from the recent collapse in global commodity prices. Asia-Pacific LDCs and LLDCs account for less than 2% of global commodity exports and just 7% of Asia-Pacific commodity exports; however many these economies have export-portfolios which are highly concentrated in one or two major commodities: mainly crude oil, natural gas, aluminum, iron ore/steel, cotton and copper.
This study on “Disasters in Asia and the Pacific: 2014 Year in review”, developed by the Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division of ESCAP, provides an overview of natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region and its impacts. Although there were no major disasters in 2014, over half of the world’s natural disasters occurred in the region. Hydro-meteorological hazards were the most frequent, causing most fatalities and economic losses.
Migration has economic, social, environmental and political implications in both countries of origin and destination. There is growing recognition that policy interventions which foster a link between migration and decent employment can promote sustainable development. However, across Asia and the Pacific there is a lack of high-quality migration statistics which form the foundation for designing, monitoring and evaluating policies. Without detailed, disaggregated migration statistics it is impossible to determine the costs versus the benefits of migration-related policy interventions.
Water is vital to human lives, as well as fundamental to all development issues. Asia and the Pacific are facing serious challenges both in terms of the quantity and quality of water in sustaining its long term economic growth prospects and achieving sustainable development.
