Op-eds and Opinion

Closing the Gap: Focus on Basic Infrastructure to Meet the MDGs

As world leaders and development partners come together in New York next week (editor: September 20-22) to review progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), we would do well to focus our attention on roads, electricity, information and communication technology, and low-income urban housing. Because it is these basic infrastructure services - or lack thereof - that could make or break the achievement of the MDGs.

As Go the Fortunes of Asia's Emerging Middle Class, So Goes Fate of the Poor

The mantra across developing Asia since the 1960s has been poverty reduction. Huge strides were made during the Asian "miracle," yet two-thirds of the world's poor remain in Asia. More needs to be done, but what, and how?

The mantra across developing Asia since the 1960s has been poverty reduction. Huge strides were made during the Asian "miracle," yet two-thirds of the world's poor remain in Asia. More needs to be done, but what, and how?

Perhaps we need to flip the coin.

Time for East Asia to Unwind Its Economic Policy Stimulus

EMERGING East Asia is virtually assured of a V-shaped recovery from last year's economic slump, though it is still too early to proclaim that the 'V' stands for 'victory'.

EMERGING East Asia is virtually assured of a V-shaped recovery from last year's economic slump, though it is still too early to proclaim that the 'V' stands for 'victory'.

Asia's Growing Pains

The single biggest policy issue facing Asia is how to sustain rapid economic growth that reduces poverty and is socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

The challenges are all the greater given rapid population growth in much of the region, the necessity to rebalance growth in light of the global financial crisis, and the multiple needs of responding to climate change.

Point of View: Japan Must Help PRC Reshape Its Economy

The economy of the People's Republic of China (PRC) continued to grow rapidly even during the global economic crisis, but it has now hit a turning point. The Chinese government is very serious about reshaping the domestic economy, with the key goal of transforming it into a service-driven, green economy. This will have an impact on the Japanese economy, so Japan should proactively support this transformation.

How CAREC Stands to Build a Prosperous Central Asia

Nowadays trade, transport and energy relations play an important role in the regional cooperation and economic development of the countries. Asian Development Bank (ADB) pays serious attention to the regional cooperation. Mr. Juan Miranda, Director General of the ADB Central and West Asia Department prepared an op-ed devoted to the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan regional partnership under CARED program.

ASEAN's Key Role in our Future

The 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations is central to Australia's economic, political, diplomatic and strategic future. In 2008, this durable grouping, established in 1967, accounted for about 16 per cent of our international trade, slightly more than either China or Japan, and about 60 per cent greater than the US share.

ASEAN will be the key to determining the role we playin the region's emerging economic architecture, the East Asian Summit. It will also have veto power over Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's Asia Pacific Community proposal.

Finding The Right Exit From The Financial Crisis

Developing Asia's rebound from the global economic crisis has taken firm hold. The Asian Development Bank predicts growth of 7.5% this year, up from 5.2% expected in 2009 and exceeding 2008 growth. Such robust expansion suggests authorities will 'exit' accommodative policies adopted during the crisis earlier than the rest of the world. Indeed, monetary authorities in countries such as India and Malaysia have already pushed policy rates up a quarter point, while many governments plan to reduce fiscal deficit targets this year.

Indonesia Joins Top Rank Of Climate Action Leadership

One of the first international meetings to focus on climate finance since the Copenhagen summit last December ended here in Manila this week with plans to allocate some US$1.1 billion from the new multilateral Climate Investment Funds (CIF) for country-led, low-carbon growth in the Asia and Pacific region.

Indonesia features prominently in these plans.

The New Face of Climate Leadership

Later this week, when government policymakers, civil society, and climate experts gather in Manila for a Global Forum on Climate Investment, they will find a new partner joining those countries leading efforts for climate action. The Philippines is not only providing a host site at the Asian Development Bank for the meeting; it is one of the first developing countries to introduce transformational policies linking energy and low-carbon development with a solidly funded plan to implement them.