Asia’s Cities Need Quality Public Transport
Urban areas in Asia need to offer more and better public transport options to cut traffic jams and pollution
Food Alone Will Not Address Malnutrition in Indonesia
Malnutrition in Indonesia, as in many countries, is a complex issue, with perplexing coexistence of undernourishment and obesity in populations. Three ongoing studies are revealing how to improve the situation.
COVID-19 is Changing Financial Inclusion: Can Policymakers Keep Up?
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of ensuring that the poorest and most vulnerable people have access to formal financial services, given their role in supporting inclusive economic recovery and resilience.
The Pandemic Has Pushed Women Out of Work. These Policies Can Help.
In Southeast Asia, women workers were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Urgent policy action is needed to address the issue and improve the welfare of women in other areas as well.
What Policies Saved Jobs During the Pandemic? Five Key Findings from Southeast Asia
Women and young people were hit the hardest by job losses during the pandemic but some governments used innovative policies to improve the situation.
Accrediting Online College Courses Could be the Pandemic’s Silver Lining
Online courses play an important role in accessing quality higher education, even more so during the pandemic. But most higher education systems do not have a process in place to accept credits from online courses not offered by their own institution.
Three Areas Where RCEP May Help the Region’s Post-Pandemic Recovery
The massive Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement is expected to go into force in 2022. It could be instrumental in helping Asian economies bounce back from the pandemic.
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.
Flash Flood Forecasting and Early Warning Saves Lives and Combats Poverty
Effective risk management for flash flood disasters is now achievable, thanks to 21st century technological advances in communication technology, spatial data analysis, and weather prediction.
Bond Markets and Borrowing: How Asia’s Developing Countries are Managing the Pandemic
The pandemic has shown central bankers and public debt managers that innovation and creativity are needed to maintain borrowing opportunities and keep local currency bond markets functioning.