This publication draws on findings from a survey on the green bond market in Malaysia to provide insights on what support is needed to further develop the country's sustainable finance market. The survey assessed the interest of institutional investors in green bond issuances in Malaysia. It helped identify drivers and impediments for the development of country's sustainable finance market, as well as priority areas in which ADB and other development partners could provide support.

This report analyzes how Islamic finance can be scaled up to help build urgently-needed climate-resilient infrastructure in the Asia and Pacific region, and ensure its post-COVID-19 recovery is green, sustainable, and inclusive. It outlines how greening Islamic capital markets and social finance, mobilizing project finance for infrastructure and boosting financial inclusion, can play a key role in funding the climate agenda. It details the 14 ADB developing member countries with majority Muslim populations, assesses the growth of the nearly $3 trillion global Islamic finance market, and...

This report shows how efficient carbon pricing instruments can enable countries in Asia and the Pacific region to accelerate their transition to affordable, secure low-carbon energy systems and help reach their ambitious climate targets. It outlines how mechanisms such as carbon taxes, emissions trading, and carbon crediting can be woven into climate policies and encourage investment. It analyzes current trends and explains how carbon pricing revenues can drive climate initiatives. Targeted at policymakers, it aims to help countries develop instruments tailored to their priorities that...

This publication reviews recent developments in East Asian local currency (LCY) bond markets against a backdrop of deteriorating global financial conditions and provides an assessment of the outlook, risks, and policy options. Covering the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; and the Republic of Korea, it explains how growth in East Asia's LCY markets is slowing. It looks at whether regional trade integration leads to greater financial integration, analyzes the headwinds facing emerging economies, and explores how such economies can...

This book explains how rapid digitalization during COVID-19 has accelerated the growth of digital services trade in Asia and the Pacific, and provides analysis on the opportunities, challenges, and associated risks. It explores evolving trends and considers trade agreements, cybersecurity, and effective taxation. It outlines how a greater focus on developing human capital, connectivity, investment in information and communication technology, and a positive regulatory environment can help digital services thrive. By underscoring the principal drivers and policies, it aims to build a better...

This report reviews airport system development in Asian megacities and provides policy recommendations to support cities' economic competitiveness, growth, and sustainability. The report looks at how airport system development can affect cities' spatial configuration and economic productivity, and draws on case studies from Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, the People's Republic of China, and Viet Nam. It assesses multi-airport formations, airport relocation, ground transportation, and land planning. The report highlights the importance of multilevel governance in ensuring the development...

This issue explores how Pacific developing member countries can strengthen their post-pandemic social protection systems to help address long-standing development concerns and boost resilience to further shocks. It assesses individual countries' economies and outlines ways they could improve their social protection systems, despite depleted resources. Exploring megatrends facing the subregion, including population ageing and migration, it shows how investing in universal social protection policies can have a long-term impact on reducing poverty, vulnerability, and social exclusion.

This report explains the complex challenges facing the six countries in the renewables-rich Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) as they work to implement a comprehensive framework to enable regional electricity power trading. Against the backdrop of energy market volatility, it details how ADB is helping high-voltage electricity network operators reach a deal on interconnections which could unlock extensive economic benefits for each GMS country. Acknowledging a transparent power-sharing regime is still some way off, it provides a road map to help countries overcome infrastructural challenges...

This report provides the latest evidence on the scale and impacts of disaster displacement in Asia and the Pacific and outlines durable solutions for prevention, response, and recovery. Globally, Asia and the Pacific is the region most affected by disaster displacement. Each year, the lives of millions of people are disrupted by disasters and the scale of displacement is increasing. This report—jointly produced by ADB and the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center—aims to inform policy measures and practical actions to prevent, reduce, and better manage displacement risks. Among the...

This strategy outlines a regional approach for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The six GMS countries share common challenges and issues that prevent women from fully benefiting from economic opportunities. Many of these challenges have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy identifies strategic directions and key entry points to mainstream gender across all operational areas of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program. It has been designed to add value to the GMS Program Strategic Framework 2030 and to complement...