Agriculture remains the backbone of most Asia-Pacific developing economies and approximately 50% of the Asian working population is employed in the agricultural sector. In view of the export potential of agricultural products in the region, it is urgent to reduce trade costs in this sector, particularly since they are typically twice as high as those for manufactured goods. Agricultural trade costs within each of the different Asian subregions and country groups are not found to differ sharply, particularly when tariff costs are excluded.
Governments of the ESCAP region gathered in Incheon, Republic of Korea, from 29 October to 2 November 2012 to chart the course of the new Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities for the period 2013 to 2022. They were joined by representatives of civil society organizations, including organizations of and for persons with disabilities. Also in attendance were representatives of intergovernmental organizations, development cooperation agencies and the United Nations system.
This publication was prepared by national experts and professionals from countries in North and Central Asia to provide data and information of natural disasters - mainly water-related hazards in the region. It illustrates information of risk management and cooperation among countries to increase capacity in disaster risk reduction in the disasters-prone region.
The Disability at a Glance series, which started in 2006, serves as a companion for policymakers, statisticians and representatives of organizations of, and for, persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. These publications aim to provide a regional overview of disability policies and practices, as well as relevant country data and information.
This publication on Disability, Livelihood and Poverty in Asia and the Pacific is an executive summary that draws from a wider body of primary and secondary research undertaken by the ESCAP research team. It considers both the quantitative and qualitative dimensions which shape the livelihood experiences of persons with disabilities. The primary research is derived from collaboration between ESCAP and its national research partners: disabled people’s organizations (DPOs) and organizations for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Extreme weather events and water-related disasters are occurring in Central Asia with increasing frequency. This publication provides an overview of water-related hazards and extreme weather events, their socio-economic effects, and related disaster risk management practices in countries of Central Asia and neighbouring countries. It outlines relevant subregional and regional cooperative mechanisms and initiatives that address these hazards in various range of aspects.
The ESCAP/UNISDR Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2012, Reducing Vulnerability and Exposure to Disasters provides an analysis of the impact of disasters on Asian and Pacific countries between 1970 to 2011, and discusses the twin challenge faced by the region of increasing exposure of its people and economic assets, and heightened vulnerabilities experienced by the poor and other disadvantaged groups to disasters. Pressures resulting from rapid urban development and economic growth has resulted in people and economic activities expanding into increasingly exposed and hazard-prone land.
This Guide covers the wide-ranging legal issues that are related to the development and operation of a Single Window and, to a certain degree, some of the important electronic commerce legal concepts and approaches applicable to the single window environment. It is intended to give policymakers a broad understanding of the key considerations that should be addressed in effectively establishing the legal infrastructure for a SW.
