There is ample evidence that successful implementation of bilateral or regional trade and economic integration initiatives would have a very significant impact on intraregional trade in Asia and the Pacific. However, little is known about the level of intraregional trade costs in the region and to what extent these costs may have decreased over time. This paper introduces new aggregate and sectoral estimates of bilateral trade costs in Asia and the Pacific available in an updated and extended version of the ESCAP Trade Cost Database (Version 2).
The Low Carbon Green Growth Roadmap for Asia and the Pacific explores the opportunities that a low carbon green growth path offers to the region. It articulates five tracks on which to drive the economic system change necessary to pursue low carbon green growth as a new economic development path.
While efforts to mitigate climate change continues by reducing greenhouse gases (ghg), the impacts of climate
change has resulted in changes to the hydro-meteorological events of floods and droughts, translated in more
extreme case of events. Climate Change has also increase the melting of the polar ice and the water towers of the
himalaya’s hindu Kush, and threaten coastal settlements with sea-level rise. all this will have significant impact on
While regional countries are driving the global "green growth" agenda, policymakers are facing a new economic reality and heightened uncertainty. The challenge of eco-efficient economic growth and inclusive resource use is critical and growing in several countries. Fundamental, rather than incremental changes are needed - Governments must therefore take the lead in re-orienting both the "visible" and the "invisible" economic infrastructure. At the same time the implications of heightened uncertainty and risk for policymaking requires more attention.
The Single Window Planning and Implementation Guide contains managerial guidelines for policy managers, policymakers and those who are tasked to plan and manage the information technology-enabled Single Window development projects for simplifying cross-border trade procedures and document requirements within developing economies and transition economies.
Managing climate change caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has been recognized as one of the world's greatest challenges in current times, in particular in Asia and the Pacific which accounts for most of the world's GHG emissions. Without urgent action to curb such emissions, climate change will be more severe resulting in larger global temperature rises.
The accelerating integration of the global economy has stimulated an increase in the volume and types of international migration. Migration often has a significant impact on economic and social change both in countries of origin and in host countries. In spite of the hightened importance of international migration to development, national migration policies often fail to achieve maximum benefits because they do not adequately integrate migration in development strategies.
This paper reviews recent pattens of international migration from Pacific Island countries and concludes that migration has generally increased over the past decade but patterns vary between countries and sub-regions. Some countries not previously involved in temporary labour migration are now sending workers abroad.
The Review of Developments in Transport in Asia and the Pacific is a biennial publication of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). This year the Review focuses on trend and development relating to the following areas: railways; roads and highways; maritime ports and developments in shipping; dry ports, intermodal terminals and logistics development; facilitating transport across borders; and safe and sustainable transport.
