Op-Eds and Opinion

A study last year by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Postdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that the trend would only worsen, rolling back the region’s gains in economic development and poverty reduction.

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries have made stunning progress over the past quarter century. Once plagued by poverty, they are now economic success stories.

By working together, the subregion and its development partners can build even greater prosperity at reduced cost to the environment.

Asia’s developing countries need policies that help workers respond to the technological advances that are rapidly transforming industries and economies.

Capital markets remain the most viable solution for infrastructure development in Asia and the Pacific, both as an enabler of long-term financing and as a source of financial stability.

Securing a smooth transition to low-carbon and climate-smart development requires effective global partnerships that mobilize funding and track its impact around the world. That's where multilateral development institutions come in.

Multilateral development banks should become more innovative and dramatically enhance their efforts to mobilize resources from the private sector.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution can empower MSMEs, which account for 90% of all enterprises and provide most employment in ASEAN member states.

Just by looking back at history, we can see how important the role of merchants seeking business opportunities around the world has been — not only in trade but also in infrastructure development and the relations between countries.

Central Asia is a dynamic and fast-changing region. Over the past couple of decades, it has shown that increased regional cooperation is indispensable to achieving development goals.