Asia Clean Energy Forum, the energy trilemma, and the road to Paris
This year’s Asia Clean Energy Forum (comes at a critical time in the lead-up to the crucial COP21 in Paris. Asia’s energy sector has a very important part to play in these UNFCCC negotiations and in setting the world on a course to limit global warming, and avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change.
Expansion of Climate Investment Funds operations: What it means for Asia
We were delighted last month to learn that the CIFs have decided to extend support to an additional 16 countries, among them several in Asia and the Pacific.
What we can learn from Africa on public-private dialogue in health
Many African and Asian countries face similar health care challenges. More than half of the people in Africa go to the mostly unregulated private health care sector to get diagnosed and treated, and they pay out-of pocket. The same is true for Asia and the Pacific.
Minding the food gap: Reinforcing the link between inclusive growth and food security
Success in tackling food insecurity is an important component of how inclusive an economy’s growth is. Unless the benefits of growth are equitably shared, access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for all will remain a challenge.
Different genders, different decisions: Why Asian women aren’t in work
A new ADB report shows that how women decide to spend time differs to men, and that helps to understand why many women don’t join the formal workforce – and why, if they do, they are still likely to earn less than men and less likely to gain promotion.
Hard data and hard choices: Disaster risk financing in an Asian city
Floods in India and Pakistan, typhoons in the Philippines and the recent earthquake in Nepal have reminded city leaders of the urgent need to safeguard the lives of their people, protect costly infrastructure, and ensure services and businesses can continue after disaster strikes.
How to make Asia’s cities ‘livable’
By 2050, up to 65% of Asia’s population is expected to live in cities. With urbanization growing at such at a breakneck speed, many believe that how cities cope with it may well determine the region’s long-term productivity and overall stability.
Fast facts: Development finance for the SDGs in Asia
Financing the anticipated and wide-ranging SDGs in Asia and the Pacific alone could cost well over $1 trillion per year, according to a new ADB report.
Why the gender gap hurts Asia’s long-term growth potential
Women in Asia are on average 70% less likely than men to be employed, a gender gap that persists despite booming economic growth, decreasing fertility rates and increasing access to education in the region, according to a new ADB report.
Can more social protection stop the 'race to the bottom' in Asia?
Asia’s economic growth owes a lot to the rise of both big business and SMEs. But left alone, there is little incentive for private firms to do more for workers beyond the norm.