Lao People's Democratic Republic

When the COVID-19 outbreak struck Asia, many Pacific islands restricted incoming air and sea traffic. Photo: Nils Grimm

In the Pacific, urgent action is the key to addressing COVID-19

Pacific nations, led by the smallest and least well-off, moved decisively to restrict travel from a fast-growing list of COVID-19 affected countries.

Emma Veve

In Southeast Asia, monetary policy is doing the heavy lifting during times of trade tensions. Photo: Gede Suhendra

Why are interest rates falling in Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asian economies are starting to feel the pinch of trade tensions, recession fears and other global trends.

Thiam Hee Ng

Clear benchmarks and performance indicators are helping governments in Southeast Asia serve their people better. Photo: Braden Jarvis

Helping governments improve performance

Performance assessments help people in Southeast Asia determine how well their government is performing and how they can be improved.

Woochong Um, Marcos Bonturi

Making infrastructure work for women and girls in Asia and the Pacific

Infrastructure has a critical role in narrowing gender gaps and accelerating the advancement of women and girls. If women are given a say in infrastructure design and investment, projects can become more effective enablers of their growth.

Takehiko Nakao

Easing the movement of skilled and semi-skilled labor across borders could have enormous benefits for Southeast Asia.

At your service: trade liberalization could bring huge benefits to Southeast Asia

Making it easier for workers to move between countries is key to liberalizing the trade in services and unleashing the benefits it will produce across national and regional economies.

Kakali Mukhopadhyay

The interconnected global manufacturing system has wide-ranging positive social impacts that are not yet fully understood.

Strengthening the chains that helped pull Asia out of poverty

The global value chains that help drive Asia’s export-driven economic miracle have widespread development impacts. We need to understand them better to maximize the benefits.

Bambang Susantono