This publication explores marine renewable energy sources from floating solar farms to deep ocean turbines and shows how increasing the capacity of the blue economy can help the Asia and Pacific region transition to a clean energy, low carbon future. It considers emerging ocean entrepreneurship and shows how adopting a holistic blue economy vision can produce a regenerative marine environment, support coastal communities, and help meet climate goals.
This study analyzes gender gaps in Asia and the Pacific’s labor market and shows why removing the barriers preventing women accessing decent work, increasing pay, and improving working conditions can drive inclusive development and economic growth. Drawing on an ILO sectoral employment database, the study explains that while structural transformation has boosted jobs, women have benefited less from growth in newer sectors that offer better pay and conditions.
Focusing on Pacific economies, this 2023 edition shows how MSMEs helped spur a robust recovery from the pandemic and why supporting their development is key to driving sustainable, inclusive growth. It tackles challenges and responses to issues including brain drain and business diversity in the climate-vulnerable region. The report also highlights the Pacific's need to boost digital infrastructure and the importance of broadening access to finance.
Recent global supply chain disruptions have underscored the need for more timely and accurate data. This publication explores how data from ships’ Automatic Identification System can be used to produce near real-time, granular statistics for analyzing maritime activities and detecting disruptions to port operations. It outlines a framework to leverage data and support a broader understanding of maritime activities from major hubs and cases of disruptions.
This report analyzes how to detangle and simplify the complex product-specific rules of origin (PSRO) in free trade agreements and explores how PSRO convergence can cut red tape and reduce inefficiencies. It compares the leniency and stringency of PSROs under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and examines how RCEP can boost intra-regional trade with more business friendly PSROs and operational certification procedures.
Introducing a data-driven framework aimed at closing the digital education gap, this report explains how a multi-stakeholder, systemic approach can enhance the delivery of digital education in developing Asia and the Pacific. The report utilizes five overarching categories as lenses to examine the digital education landscape in 10 developing countries and promotes the adoption of sustainable, scalable solutions for more cohesive and inclusive digital education ecosystems.
This brief explores the occupations and skills likely to be needed for green jobs in Asia and the Pacific. It sets out definitions of green jobs, outlines likely growth areas, and looks at how policymakers can help prepare workforces for the transition to a low-carbon economy. It presents suggestions on how governments can help address education gaps and speed up the development of a workforce ready for the green economy of the future.
Drawing on the results of a survey of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), this report highlights why women entrepreneurs in the Philippines find it harder to access credit and are less likely to use digital financial services. It recommends financial institutions tailor digital solutions toward women entrepreneurs and invest in training to help boost gender equality and financial inclusion for MSMEs.
Indonesia’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are crucial drivers of economic growth, and this joint publication with Gojek looks at the potential of digital sales to strengthen their resilience. It shares findings from a study of MSME merchants using Gojek’s GoFood platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the burdens faced by women. It suggests ways of enhancing merchants’ experience with online platforms and developing mutual benefits.
