Asian Development Blog

Many women in the Pacific experience violence in markets and other workplaces. Photo: ADB

How Economic Empowerment Reduces Violence Against Pacific Women

A safe work environment and women’s economic autonomy are drivers of growth and good development. They also protect girls and women from violence.

Ingrid FitzGerald, Aleta Moriarty

In many parts of Asia, students took classes from home for nearly two years during the pandemic. Photo: Annushka Ahuja

Here’s How Pandemic School Closures Worsen Asia's Educational Divide

The closure of schools due to COVID-19 has had wide-ranging impacts on students and education systems. Support should focus on closing the learning gap and preparing for the next crisis.

Stefan Schipper, Sean Crowley, Lea Rotairo

Oyster farming in Viet Nam. Coastal areas are working to cope with the challenges brought about by climate change. Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh

3 Ways Small Islands and Coastal Areas can Adapt to Climate Change

Solutions for climate adaptation need to span multiple sectors, government departments and societal contexts. The challenge is great but we can meet it by combining natural and built assets with incentives for collective action and the optimization of traditional knowledge.

Sonia Chand Sandhu, Shimako Takahashi

Having more women in the room triggers increased innovation and improved problem solving in business.

Women’s Leadership Drives Change and Innovation in Business

Businesses in Asia and the Pacific are discovering that putting women in leadership positions is good for business and good for the economy overall.

Anne Valko Celestino, Gisela Garzon de la Roza, Krisila Benson, Sarah Chen

To keep Pacific islands in pristine condition, action must be taken at multiple levels. Photo: ADB

For Clean Islands and a Clean Ocean in the Pacific, Start with Solid Waste Management

Solid waste challenges in the Pacific must be addressed at the island, regional, and ocean level.

Jingmin Huang

Asia’s ubiquitous buses are being put work toward the task of distributing vaccines to the region’s hard-to-reach populations. Photo: ADB

Asia Needs Fleets of Buses to Get Vaccines to the World’s Most Populous Region

The People’s Republic of China has shown how buses can be used to dramatically increase the number of people vaccinated against COVID-19. The region should follow their example.

Najibullah Habib

Cities in Asia, such as Dhaka, in Bangladesh, are trying innovative solutions to make their cities more livable. Photo: Salman Preeom

How Asia’s Cities Can Become More Livable After the Pandemic

Asia’s cities must become greener, more inclusive, more competitive, and more resilient to build forward better and be better places to live.

Bambang Susantono

In the Pacific, measures to prevent money laundering often inadvertently harm small businesses. Photo: ADB

Protect The Poor When Fighting Money Laundering in the Pacific

The risk of “de-risking” – the process of international banks disassociating from financial partners, such as small remittance providers and local banks – is that it could push people out of the financial system completely.

Lotte Schou-Zibell

Testing the water in Suva, Fiji. A safe, reliable water supply is critical to survival in the Pacific. Photo: ADB

How Can Water Utilities in the Pacific Use the Pandemic to Become More Resilient?

Protecting and managing the water supply, even in the face of threats and challenges, is a key responsibility for utility companies and governments across the Pacific region.

Vivian Castro-Wooldridge