UNESCAP Backgrounders
The following Backgrounder reports offer a detailed review and summary of the key debates and issues within the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2008.
- China’s Steps to Reduce Income Inequalities Offers Benefits for Asia-Pacific
China’s efforts to reduce income inequalities within the country are showing signs of encouraging progress through government trade and investment policies, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reports in its latest regional survey. - Despite Challenges, Impressive Achievements Seen in North and Central Asia’s Education and Health Services
While still facing many challenges, countries in North and Central Asia have witnessed impressive achievements in education and health services following the economic transition of the 1990s, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) says in its latest regional survey. - Fiscal Deficit and Public Debt Sustainability in South Asia
High levels of public debt in South Asia remain a burden, drawing away much needed funds for development and basic services, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), reports in its latest regional survey. - Have the Least Developed Countries of Asia and the Pacific Escaped the Vulnerability Trap?
Economies of the Asia–Pacific need to improve governance, spend more on infrastructure and human capital, and reform the business environment to reduce vulnerabilities to economic shocks and climate change, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reports in its latest regional survey. - How Secure is Retirement in Japan?
Japan is facing monumental challenges in its public pension system with rising numbers of elderly facing insufficient funds for support over the two decades of averaged expected life after retirement, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reported in its latest regional survey. - Improving Employment Opportunities in Pacific Island Economies
Governments of Pacific island economies need to review labour legislation in efforts to reduce youth unemployment and promote women in the workforce, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reports in its latest regional survey. - Asia–Pacific Faces “Heightened Uncertainty” Over Credit Crunch, US slowdown
The Asia-Pacific region has entered a “phase of heightened uncertainty,” amid financial turmoil due to fall-out from the sub-prime credit crisis, the threat from rising inflation and a major slowdown in the United States economy, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reports in its latest regional survey. - UN Says New Agricultural “Revolution” in Asia Could Lift Over 200 Million Out of Poverty
A “revolution” through improved productivity in the Asia-Pacific agriculture sector, aimed at overcoming decades of policy neglect, could lift over 200 million people – a third of the region’s poor – out of poverty, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reports in its latest regional survey. - ESCAP: Benefits but Costs also in International Migration in Asia-Pacific
International migration in the Asia–Pacific region leads to both benefits and widening social costs – especially to families, marital stability and children left behind, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reports in its latest regional survey. - Climate Change – How Asia and the Pacific can take the lead in mitigation and adaptation.
The Asia-Pacific region needs to take the lead in mitigating and adapting to the global threat posed by climate change, both in international negotiations and in the application of new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reports in its latest regional survey.
