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New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Correct silent injustice of unrecorded births and deaths
TEN years ago, countries across Asia and the Pacific united to correct a silent injustice: millions of people were born and dying without ever being recorded. The launch of the Asia-Pacific Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Decade marked a bold regional commitment to ensure every birth and death is recorded, and every life counts. The CRVS Decade was about dignity. It aimed to equip governments with accurate, timely information to deliver essential services, shape responsive policies and uphold the rights of every person, in every corner of the region. The region has made undeniable progress. Since 2012, the number of unregistered children under five has fallen by 62 per cent, from 135 million to 51 million in 2024. This is an enormous achievement, made possible by strong political commitment, improved systems and regional cooperation. While there is much to celebrate, 51 million unregistered children in Asia and the Pacific are still far too many. We've come too far to stop now. We must extend the Asia-Pacific CRVS Decade to 2030. That's why the United Nations and our partners are committed to working together with governments across the region, helping to build stronger, more inclusive and people-centred CRVS systems. A birth certificate is more than a document; it's a child's first proof of existence in the eyes of the law. Without it, that child may be shut out of school, denied health care and excluded from social protection. They may be unable to prove their nationality or even their age. The consequences are especially severe for the most vulnerable and the effects ripple across generations. We also face a grave challenge on the other side of life. Every year, 6.9 million deaths go unregistered in the region, leaving families without access to inheritance, land rights or pensions. And even among registered deaths, fewer than one in three are medically certified, meaning we often don't know why people are dying. This gap in knowledge leaves public health systems in the dark - unable to fully understand, prepare for or respond to health threats. Timely, disaggregated statistics on causes of death are essential for designing and monitoring effective health policies and for detecting emerging crises, including pandemics. The upcoming Third Ministerial Conference on CRVS in Asia and the Pacific is the moment to act. Governments must use this opportunity to recommit to the CRVS agenda, renew their national targets and align with the SDG finish line in 2030. Extending the CRVS Decade to 2030 is a declaration: everyone counts. Data saves lives. Legal identity is a right, not a privilege. No one should be left behind simply because they were never counted in the first place. ARMIDA SALSIAH ALISJAHBANA Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Executive Secretary Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
Scoop
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Asia-Pacific Countries Endorse Bold Steps For Greener, Resilient Cities At UN Assembly
Press Release – UN ESCAP As the region becomes increasingly urban, countries emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable access to services for all, advancing gender equality, and creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that leave no one behind. Bangkok, 25 April 2025 Countries across the Asia-Pacific region have agreed to intensify cooperation to drive sustainable and resilient urban development, adopting a new resolution at the close of the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) today. The resolution highlights the urgency of addressing challenges such as climate risks, infrastructure gaps, overcrowding and social inequalities amid fast-paced urbanization. 'The solutions lie within the diversity of our region,' shared United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana in her closing remarks. 'We have deftly navigated through past crises and emerged stronger together. Our capabilities will provide solutions to our contemporary challenges and allow us to anticipate those that have yet to emerge.' Governments committed to expanding regional and subregional partnerships to share know-how, align urban policies with the Sustainable Development Goals, and support local authorities in building livable and inclusive cities. The resolution calls for greater investment in digital innovation, low-carbon transport, nature-based solutions and climate- and disaster-resilient infrastructure. The resolution also recognizes the critical role of city leaders and community networks in shaping urban futures. It encourages local action through integrated planning, sustainable financing and climate-smart strategies that respond to unique national and local contexts. As the region becomes increasingly urban, countries emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable access to services for all, advancing gender equality, and creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that leave no one behind. A second resolution adopted at the session responds to intensifying water-related challenges driven by climate change in the region. ESCAP member States expressed concern over increasing water stress, the growing frequency and severity of water-related disasters, and the alarming retreat of mountain glaciers and thawing permafrost, which threaten both ecosystems and livelihoods. It urges countries to adopt integrated water management approaches, enhance institutional capacity, invest in resilient infrastructure, and involve youth, civil society and communities in decision-making. Another key outcome from the session focuses on the need for targeted international support to help middle-income countries address ongoing development hurdles. The adopted text advocates moving beyond income-based metrics by incorporating vulnerability indices and underscores the value of South-South and triangular cooperation, while reiterating that these efforts must complement, not replace, North-South cooperation. Countries additionally adopted a fourth ESCAP resolution reaffirming their commitment to advancing digital inclusion and transformation in the region. Around a thousand delegates from 43 member States, associate members and observer countries as well as various stakeholder groups and international organizations attended the session held from 21 to 25 April in Bangkok.
Scoop
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Asia-Pacific Countries Endorse Bold Steps For Greener, Resilient Cities At UN Assembly
Bangkok, 25 April 2025 Countries across the Asia-Pacific region have agreed to intensify cooperation to drive sustainable and resilient urban development, adopting a new resolution at the close of the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) today. The resolution highlights the urgency of addressing challenges such as climate risks, infrastructure gaps, overcrowding and social inequalities amid fast-paced urbanization. 'The solutions lie within the diversity of our region,' shared United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana in her closing remarks. 'We have deftly navigated through past crises and emerged stronger together. Our capabilities will provide solutions to our contemporary challenges and allow us to anticipate those that have yet to emerge.' Governments committed to expanding regional and subregional partnerships to share know-how, align urban policies with the Sustainable Development Goals, and support local authorities in building livable and inclusive cities. The resolution calls for greater investment in digital innovation, low-carbon transport, nature-based solutions and climate- and disaster-resilient infrastructure. The resolution also recognizes the critical role of city leaders and community networks in shaping urban futures. It encourages local action through integrated planning, sustainable financing and climate-smart strategies that respond to unique national and local contexts. As the region becomes increasingly urban, countries emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable access to services for all, advancing gender equality, and creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that leave no one behind. A second resolution adopted at the session responds to intensifying water-related challenges driven by climate change in the region. ESCAP member States expressed concern over increasing water stress, the growing frequency and severity of water-related disasters, and the alarming retreat of mountain glaciers and thawing permafrost, which threaten both ecosystems and livelihoods. It urges countries to adopt integrated water management approaches, enhance institutional capacity, invest in resilient infrastructure, and involve youth, civil society and communities in decision-making. Another key outcome from the session focuses on the need for targeted international support to help middle-income countries address ongoing development hurdles. The adopted text advocates moving beyond income-based metrics by incorporating vulnerability indices and underscores the value of South-South and triangular cooperation, while reiterating that these efforts must complement, not replace, North-South cooperation. Countries additionally adopted a fourth ESCAP resolution reaffirming their commitment to advancing digital inclusion and transformation in the region. Around a thousand delegates from 43 member States, associate members and observer countries as well as various stakeholder groups and international organizations attended the session held from 21 to 25 April in Bangkok.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia re-elected as member of Governing Council of Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has been re-elected as a member of the Governing Council of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (GC SIAP) for the 2025-2027 term. The election occurred during the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which was held in Bangkok and comprises 53 countries from the Asia-Pacific region. Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said this re-election marks Malaysia's second consecutive term on the Governing Council, following its tenure from 2023 to 2025. He said Malaysia received support and votes from member countries across Asia and the Pacific region. "Malaysia's re-election to the SIAP Governing Council reflects the international community's continued recognition of and confidence in the country's commitment and significant contributions to strengthening the statistical ecosystem at both regional and global levels, particularly through the leadership of the Statistics Department," he said. Alongside Malaysia, seven other countries—China, India, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Pakistan—secured a majority of votes to fill the eight contested seats. "Malaysia is committed to continuing close cooperation with all council members in strengthening inclusive and sustainable statistical development, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enhancing data governance and expanding strategic international collaboration through various SIAP initiatives," Mohd Uzir said. SIAP was established in 1970 and was later recognised as a regional institution under the auspices of ESCAP in 1995. Based in Chiba, Japan, SIAP serves as a professional statistical training centre for government officials from developing countries, focusing on strengthening human resource capacity-building through the provision of technical and practical training throughout Asia and the Pacific. – Bernama
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Exposure to US tariffs through GVCs in Asia and the Pacific
On 2 April 2025, the United States introduced a two-tier tariff regime comprising a 10 per cent universal baseline tariff and elevated country-specific tariffs of up to 50 per cent, targeting 57 countries—including many in the Asia-Pacific—with limited exemptions. Although the country-specific tariffs were suspended on 9 April for all but China, policy uncertainty remains. Subsequent signals have been mixed: while product exemptions were expanded to include certain electronics, the US also launched new Section 232 investigations into imports of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. These developments suggest the potential for further unilateral trade actions and underscore the persistent uncertainty in the global trade environment. These shifting trade dynamics carry important implications for the Asia-Pacific region, where deep integration into global value chains (GVCs)—characterized by high reliance on imported inputs—intensifies both direct and indirect exposure to evolving US tariff measures. Direct exposure occurs when a country's exports to the US are directly subject to tariffs. Countries most at risk from direct exposure were identified in our earlier blog. However, the actual burden can be heavier than the announced tariff rate. This is because tariffs are applied to the full shipment value, even when much of it comes from imported inputs. As a result, the cost falls disproportionately on the exporter's own, smaller share of value-added. For example, only $51.5 of Cambodia's $100 textile shipment to the US is domestically produced. A 10 per cent tariff on the full value translates into an effective 23 per cent tax on Cambodia's actual contribution. In fact, analysis using ESCAP's RIVA (Regional Integration and Value Chain Analyzer) shows that while most Asia-Pacific economies are subject to the same 10 per cent baseline tariff, many face an effective tariff burden exceeding 15 per cent (figure 1). Indirect, or pass-through, exposure arises when a country exports intermediate goods or services that are later embedded in another country's exports to a tariff-imposing market. For example, in 2022, Bangladesh exported approximately USD 8.2 billion in textiles and textile products to the United States, with about one-third of that value derived from upstream trade partners. Notably, US firms themselves, along with firms in China, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia, are key contributors to Bangladesh's textile exports—making them indirectly exposed to US tariffs on those exports (figure 2). The impact of US tariffs is expected to vary widely across the Asia-Pacific region. Economies with high direct export exposure—such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand—could face significant trade-related contractions, with direct exposure accounting for 3 to 11 per cent of GDP if the April-2 tariffs were reinstated (table 1). Indirect exposure through GVCs may also dampen growth in upstream economies supplying raw materials, parts, and components. For example, Brunei Darussalam, Mongolia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, and Singapore could see indirect exposure equivalent to approximately 1 per cent of GDP. In contrast, economies with larger domestic markets or more diversified export structures—particularly those with strong services sectors—are better positioned to absorb the trade shock. Targeted support and policy coordination are key For both policymakers and industry leaders, identifying the source of vulnerabilities is essential for crafting targeted and forward-looking responses. These strategies should not only aim to mitigate current risks but also strengthen long-term economic adaptability. Evidence-based analysis is essential for guiding targeted support. Sectoral data highlights how Thailand, for example, is indirectly impacted through its upstream supply chain linkages with Vietnam. The following Thai manufacturing sectors are identified as the most vulnerable: Leather and Textiles, Food and Beverages, other Light Manufacturing, Electrical Equipment (figure 3). This insight suggests that coordination between Thailand and Vietnam focusing on these industries could mitigate shared risks and enhance resilience. Beyond bilateral efforts, regional coordination with supply chain partners is essential to address short- to medium-term challenges. This is particularly important because: Relocating supply chains requires long-term planning guided by infrastructure, labor, innovation capacity and regulatory stability—not just short-term tariff shifts. Strategic uncertainty remains high. No country is fully shielded from tariff exposure. In the current unpredictable global trade environment, firms will remain cautious about investing or reconfiguring supply chains. Governments across the Asia-Pacific must be prepared to deliver tailored support to firms and workers as GVCs continue to evolve. Informed domestic and international policies require sector-specific assessments. In this context, ESCAP's TINA tariff simulator offers a valuable tool for preliminary assessment of Asia-Pacific tariff exposure at the HS 6-digit level. In addition to the recommendations in our earlier blog, policy priorities may include: Targeted support for affected SMEs and export-oriented firms Reskilling and adjustment support for impacted workers Incentives to diversify exports and reduce market concentration Bilateral and regional cooperation to maintain supply chain continuity. (Witada Anukoonwattaka is Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP, Yann Duval is Chief of Trade Policy and Facilitation Section, ESCAP and Rupa Chanda is Director of Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, ESCAP) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
