Asian Development Blog

Filling the Finance Gap for a Green and Inclusive Recovery

Decreased tax revenues and increases in public spending due to COVID-19 make it imperative for developing Asian countries to mobilize private capital for the vast investments needed to achieve the SDGs.

Shu Tian, Donghyun Park, Yothin Jinjarak, Cynthia Castillejos Petalcorin, Mai Lin C. Villaruel

Programs that support the labor market will be crucial in the years ahead as the Philippines emerges from the pandemic. Photo: ADB

Philippines’ COVID-19 Employment Challenge: Labor Market Programs to the Rescue

As the Philippines rebounds from the pandemic, strengthening labor market programs will be critical to help workers and enterprises make the transition.

Kelly Bird, Cristina Lozano, Teresa Mendoza

Linking Asia’s financial markets will prepare the region for the next crisis. Photo: Martin Fu

Linking Asia’s Financial Markets Will Help the Region Respond to the Next Crisis

Just as past crises triggered international and regional financial cooperation, the pandemic offers an opportunity to collectively improve financial resilience and soundness.

Satoru Yamadera, Peter Rosenkranz

Mobilizing public and private resources for pandemic recovery can also help achieve long-term development. Photo: ADB

The Pandemic’s Impact on Government Budgets Calls for Renewed Commitment to the SDGs

COVID-19 has brought unprecedented economic and development challenges but it also offers opportunities for financing solutions to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Hyun H. Son, Véronique Salze-Lozac’h

Bankruptcies in Asia and the Pacific have defied assumptions during the pandemic. Photo: Markus Winkler

Why Have Bankruptcies Fallen During the Pandemic?

Government assistance programs, and relaxed insolvency procedures, have helped keep businesses afloat during the pandemic.

Paul Vandenberg

School closures should be a last resort, in part because it is expected to cause students in Asia and the Pacific to lose future annual earnings. Photo: ADB

Why School Closure is a Last Resort

School reopening should be done on a risk-based approach – with situations closely monitored, particularly for the effect of COVID-19 variants – and school closure be used as a last resort.

Hyuncheol Bryant Kim, Sungsup Ra, Ryotaro Hayashi

The roads that served as a vital lifeline during the pandemic need to be revived for economic recovery. Photo: ADB

The Post-Pandemic Era Can Be a New Era for Asia's Roads, Too.

Roads in Asia and the Pacific have brought us essential supplies and services, frontline workers, food and now vaccines. It is time to revive these vital arteries to prepare for economic recovery.

Chen Chen, Ravi Peri

The pandemic has set back women in Asia in many ways but it might also provide opportunities to expand opportunities in digital technology.

Here’s How the Pandemic Can Give Women More Opportunities in Digital Technology

COVID-19 has triggered a massive shift to the use of digital technology in work, education and other aspects of life. Gender-sensitive policies are needed to make sure that women benefit from these changes.

Aimee Hampel-Milagrosa, Talal Rafi

The days of tourists relaxing on the beaches of Asia and the Pacific will return sooner if governments implement forward-thinking vaccine policies. Photo: Wojciech Portnicki

Vaccinations Won't Lead to Vacations Anytime Soon Unless We Take Action Now

Vaccination programs and travel bubbles are still in their infancy. They could help revive tourism in Asia and the Pacific but governments need to pave the way with the right policies.

Matthias Helble, Won Hee Cho

Working Towards a Women-Focused Pandemic Recovery

The pandemic threatens to reverse recent progress on gender equality. Making women central to pandemic recovery efforts will help the region to build back better. Here are answers to some of the key questions.

Samantha Hung