Böcker av Asian Development Bank

This publication introduces the Global Integration Index as a tool to explore how global and regional integration affect development outcomes.The 43 indicators in the index include digital connectivity and environmental cooperation and build on the Asian Development Bank's framework to measure progress in regional cooperation and integration. The index confirms deeper global economic linkages in Asia and the Pacific and enables comparison with other regions and across dimensions. The publication considers how policymakers can combine global and regional integration efforts with domestic policies for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

ADB's South Asia Department conducted a study to assess the status and responses to the needs of disadvantaged groups in its member countries and identify entry points for greater gender equality and social inclusion impacts in its operations.This publication presents the results, providing an analysis of nine dimensions of exclusion and vulnerability- gender inequality; old age, disability, social identity, diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics; geographic location; income poverty; young age; and migrant status-and how these dimensions overlap in the lives of people with intersecting disadvantaged identities. Drawing from the good practices of governments, civil society organizations, and ADB-financed projects in South Asia, the publication provides SARD a 10-point guide for designing and operationalizing programs for gender equality and social inclusion.

This note is intended to guide the Asian Development Bank, executing and implementing agencies, consultants, and contractors in setting up, adapting, and managing grievance redness mechanisms assigned to receive reports on sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment in ADB-financed projects with civil works. The proposed reporting mechanisms and case handling processes in this publication are based on good practices by international development agencies and multilateral development banks. This good practice note may be used independently but is better understood when read together with the Good Practice Note on Addressing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment in ADB- Financed Projects with Civil Works.

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. It notes that Gojek played an important role in the continued operation of MSMEs that otherwise would have been cut off from customers. The publication explores the pandemic's impacts on merchants, including the particular burdens faced by women. It suggests ways of enhancing merchants' experience with online platforms and developing mutual benefits.

Detailing how Australia's Therapeutics Goods Administration conducted horizon scanning for new vaccines during the pandemic to assist ADB, this report is designed to help countries in Asia and the Pacific prepare for future outbreaks.It provides details of 16 vaccine manufacturers with novel and established vaccine technologies adapted to new pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Offering information on their vaccine pipeline and partnerships, the report shows their approach to working with ADB's developing member countries and can be used to inform decisions related to vaccine manufacturing and procurement.

Analyzing the importance of Thailand's blue economy, this report considers ways to mobilize and scale up private sector investment in areas such as aquaculture and marine renewable energy to help bolster sustainable blue development.It explains why factors such as limited awareness of ocean economy opportunities, a lack of investment-ready at-scale projects, and insufficient monitoring are proving a barrier to investors. The report shows how creating an enabling environment and developing products such as sustainability-linked loans and technical assistance grants could help drive investment flows to the sector and safeguard Thailand's blue economic growth.

This publication explores how data from ships' Automatic Identification System (AIS) can be used to produce near real-time, granular statistics for analyzing maritime activities and detecting disruptions to port operations. Recent global supply chain disruptions have underscored the need for more timely and accurate data. This publication shows how indicators from AIS data can be used to supplement official statistics. Highlighting how AIS data can swiftly capture the impact of events on major ports and maritime highways, it outlines a framework to leverage this data and support a broader understanding of maritime activities from major hubs and cases of disruptions.

Introducing a data-driven framework aimed at closing the digital education gap, this report assesses 10 developing member countries and illuminates how a multi-stakeholder, systemic approach-including engagement with the private sector-can enhance the delivery of digital education.Utilizing five overarching categories of the framework-infrastructure, government policy, educators, students, and service providers-as lenses to examine each country's unique landscape, the report identifies tailored pathways for incremental and staged development. The report envisages adopting sustainable, scalable solutions that contribute to a more cohesive and inclusive digital education ecosystem.

Providing high-level climate risk assessments for cities in Armenia, Georgia, and Uzbekistan, this report is designed to mainstream mitigation and adaptation into urban planning to help ensure climate resilient growth. For each country, it harnesses climate data, models, and projections. It offers a range of scenarios, assesses potential risks to key infrastructure, and sets out ways to combat the impacts of events such as increasingly severe floods and heatwaves. Targeted at focal agencies, ADB project teams, and development practitioners, it proposes urban planning and policy measures that can help each of the countries reach their ambitious climate commitments.

This Energy Sector Directional Guide provides the strategic direction of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the energy sector.This sector guide describes the context and rationale that will guide ADB's agenda in supporting developing member countries (DMCs) with financing, knowledge, convening ability, and technical assistance (TA) to ensure improved coherence, relevance, efficiency, and effectiveness of ADB's energy sector investments. The guide also outlines the priorities and focus for the energy sector in line with Strategy 2030.This sector guide is designed to be a living document, to be updated as needed to remain relevant to the dynamic development context of Asia and the Pacific. A midterm review is to be conducted following the expected review of the Energy Policy in 2025.This guide is volume 2 in the seven-volume collection, Strategy 2030 Sector Directional Guides.

This publication examines well-being across Kazakhstan's regions. It suggests how a deeper understanding of regional differences can help policymakers tailor interventions and promote more equitable development. The publication shares findings from a study that used data from a 2022 survey of well-being across Kazakhstan to create two indices. One index measures people's subjective well-being and the other combines perceptions data with objective socioeconomic data to build a broader picture of well-being. The authors analyze regions' index scores and suggest how policymakers can use an understanding of regional differences in well-being to contribute to more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development in Kazakhstan.

This study analyzes the exposure of energy and transport assets in Asia and the Pacific to climate change and earthquake hazards and highlights how multi-hazard assessment can help strengthen the resilience of crucial infrastructure. Geolocating and undertaking a multi-hazard assessment of more than 30,000 infrastructure assets, the study identifies significant risks across the region with three-quarters of the assets exposed to four or more hazards. It notes that multi-hazard assessment and an understanding of the potential impacts of these hazards need to be systematically integrated into the planning, design, and financing of infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.

This publication reviews recent developments in East Asian local currency bond markets along with the outlook, risks, and policy options. It covers the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; and the Republic of Korea.

This manual sets out how to combine road safety audits with the International Road Assessment Programme methodology to form Star Ratings for Road Safety Audit. This ratings system will help policy makers and practitioners involved in designing, upgrading, and rehabilitating roads to meet safety targets and reduce injuries from traffic accidents

This publication provides an overview of institutional investors' interest in green bonds issued in Thailand, along with an assessment of the perspectives of local arrangers and underwriters on their clients' interest in green bond issuance. It presents the results of a survey to help identify market drivers, impediments, and development priorities for Thailand's sustainable finance market. The findings and insights in this publication can help the Asian Development Bank in identifying how to support market development.

Globally, women are disproportionately impacted by climate change and disasters due to gender inequalities and limited participation in decision-making processes. Addressing this imbalance will involve integrating gender equality in laws and policies on climate change and disaster risk management and ensuring gender equality outcomes in building social and economic resilience. This report presents findings of a gender analysis of national legal and policy frameworks of Mongolia and discusses whether laws, policies, and strategies consider gender inequalities as they relate to climate and disaster risk management. It includes recommendations to address gaps in sector laws and policies affecting women's resilience to climate change and disasters in Mongolia.

Globally, women are disproportionately impacted by climate change and disasters due to gender inequalities and limited participation in decision-making processes. Addressing this imbalance will involve integrating gender equality in laws and policies on climate change and disaster risk management and ensuring gender equality outcomes in building social and economic resilience. This report presents findings of a gender analysis of national legal and policy frameworks of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and discusses whether laws, policies, and strategies consider gender inequalities as they relate to climate and disaster risk management. It includes recommendations to address gaps in sector laws and policies affecting women's resilience to climate change and disasters in the Lao PDR.

This report provides an update on the local currency sustainable bond markets in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the People's Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ASEAN+3). Historically, green bonds have dominated the sustainable debt market in ASEAN+3, but the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has spawned the next generation of social- and sustainability-labeled instruments to fund a broader range of environmental and social benefits. This report provides a comprehensive summary of regional developments, identifies existing obstacles and challenges, highlights green investment opportunities in key sectors, and offers practical recommendations to further develop sustainable local currency bond markets in ASEAN+3.

This report identifies and examines six key technologies that are transforming fundamental financial market infrastructure: (i) distributed ledger technology and blockchain, (ii) artificial intelligence, (iii) big data analytics, (iv) cloud computing, (v) enhanced cybersecurity technologies, and (vi) (open) application programming interface. It ascertains the most current status of technology adoption by Cross-Border Settlement Infrastructure Forum member organizations. They include central securities depositories and central banks in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus the People's Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (collectively known as ASEAN+3) region. This report will serve as a springboard for the technological advancement of financial market infrastructure in the region.

The Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR) is a partnership between the Government of Japan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It helps people move above the poverty threshold and toward sustainable prosperity and resilience. This guide illustrates the requirements stipulated in the JFPR Implementation Guidelines. It provides best practices, examples, tips, and suggestions to help JFPR users and clients tailor proposals to the fund's requirements to ensure smooth project processing and efficient implementation.

Technology-based startup enterprises are an increasingly important part of the business landscape in Asia and the Pacific. By applying innovative technologies to create new products and services, they can make a significant contribution to economic development while generating social and environmental benefits. However, to survive and then thrive, tech startups require an enabling ecosystem that includes supportive government policy, and adequate access to capital, skilled personnel, and quality digital infrastructure. This report examines Singapore's vibrant tech startup ecosystem and identifies key lessons that can inform the efforts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to nurture and develop their tech startups. The report focuses on four key sectors: climate change and environment, agriculture, education, and health.

Technology-based startup enterprises are an increasingly important part of the business landscape in Asia and the Pacific. By applying innovative technologies to create new products and services, they can make a significant contribution to economic development while generating social and environmental benefits. However, to survive and then thrive, tech startups require an enabling ecosystem that includes supportive government policy, and adequate access to capital, skilled personnel, and quality digital infrastructure. This report assesses the current ecosystem for tech startups in Cambodia, focusing on four sectors: climate change and environment, agriculture, education, and health. The report discusses challenges facing tech startups in these sectors and provides recommendations to overcome them.

This publication focuses on the state of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and education technology (EdTech) in Bangladesh, Cambodia, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan. The studies conducted from May 2020 to May 2021 include situation analysis reports on STEM education and EdTech for each country in the general education subsectors (primary and secondary). The publication covers discussions of the findings from the studies, identifies gaps and potential intervention areas in the four developing member countries (DMCs), and provides policy recommendations that can also be referenced for other DMCs of the Asian Development Bank.

This report highlights how financial technology or fintech can be leveraged to improve health systems and outcomes. A "e;Fintech for Health"e; approach integrates digital financial services with health innovations to help solve health-care affordability, quality, and access challenges. It can be powerful in enabling people to gain access to health care and in preventing health-related bankruptcy. The report draws on examples of this approach from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. It considers the enabling environment, challenges, future opportunities, and how Fintech for Health can be adapted to diverse contexts to help promote universal health coverage.

The CAREC Health Strategy 2030 aims to enhance health security through regional cooperation, benefiting the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region's population (including migrants and vulnerable population groups), health system managers and workers, and active development partners; and CAREC countries' ministries of health. The strategy has four main pillars: (i) leadership and human resource capacity, (ii) technical preparedness, (iii) surge demands and access to supplies, and (iv) vulnerable population groups and border health. It is intended as a tool to guide CAREC health cooperation, dialogue and knowledge exchange, programming and mobilize new project financing.

This publication studies the potential impact of climate change on Sri Lanka's vulnerable mountain ecosystem in order to help guide sustainable adaptation strategies. It uses a mix of geographic information system mapping combined with average and projected rainfall figures to show how the mountains that make up 15% of Sri Lanka could be affected. Including a series of maps, the publication illustrates how the area faces rising drought alongside increasingly severe monsoons that could cause more floods and landslides. By showing the potential impact of climate change, it aims to help assess both future investments and strategies to cut disaster risk and enhance environmental sustainability in the biodiverse area.

This report illustrates why Southeast Asian countries need big data for pandemic recovery to radically transform the delivery of key services such as health care, social welfare and protection, and education. The final of a four-part series, it looks at the impact of COVID-19 on Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand to determine how big data could be an invaluable tool to help governments analyze the challenges they face. It outlines policy reforms and recommendations to help capture the benefits of big data. These include drawing up digital road maps, improving technical infrastructure, increasing data quality, and ramping up training programs to create a skilled workforce to lead the digital transformation.

This report explains why Southeast Asian countries need to design pandemic recovery policies that hit both ambitious socioeconomic and environmental goals. The third in a four-part series, the report considers the impact of COVID-19 on Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand to show how a green recovery can help safeguard against future health crises. Analyzing areas including agriculture, cities, and oceans, the report lays out policy measures designed to identify, create, and finance green growth opportunities. It shows how COVID-19 has presented countries with a chance to hit the reset button and build a socially, economically, and environmentally resilient future.

This report shows why Southeast Asian countries need to consider tax reforms after many struggled to finance massive public expenditure programs to combat COVID-19. The second in a four-part series, the report considers the impact of COVID-19 on Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand to lay out steps policymakers can take to create healthier fiscal spaces. It illustrates challenges faced around informality, tax collection, compliance, and progressivity. It emphasizes how preventing fraud, taxing wealth, and introducing environmental levies can help reduce poverty, tackle inequality, and contribute toward more sustainable growth. It is therefore crucial to understand the required policy responses as well as potential technologies that could help expand the tax base, increase tax compliance, and ease the process of paying taxes.