United Nations
Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2024
Leveraging Digitalization for Productivity and Decent Employment
The Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report is a recurrent ESCAP annual publication that discusses issues of interest for Asia-Pacific least developed countries (LDCs) landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS) collectively referred to as countries with special needs (CSN). The 2024 edition will explore the nexus between digitalization and automation and the two important parameters of productivity and decent employment in countries in special situations. This report examines the transformative role of digitalization and automation in enhancing the productive capacities of these countries. It zeroes in on the services sector and the digitalization of agricultural and industrial activities which has the potential to enhance productivity and job creation. However it also cautions against potential risks including job displacement and cybersecurity threats. To navigate these challenges the report discusses policy options for enhanced connectivity and infrastructure education and training tailored to the digital economy and regional cooperation to foster a conducive environment for digital trade and investment.
Executive summary
The Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2024: Leveraging Digitalization for Productivity and Decent Employment explores the transformative potential of digitalization for enhancing productivity and employment in countries in special situations comprising the region’s least developed countries (LDCs) landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS).
Policy considerations and regional cooperation to harness digitalization
This chapter contains a summary of the key opportunities challenges and risks of digitalization as previously discussed focusing on how Asia-Pacific LDCs LLDCs and SIDS can leverage them. By reviewing the experiences of these countries the discussion in this chapter includes several policy considerations and underscores the importance of regional cooperation in maximizing the benefits of digitalization while mitigating its potential drawbacks.
Acknowledgements
This report was prepared under the direction of the Executive Secretary and the Deputy Executive Secretaries of ESCAP and its Editorial Board.
Digitalization, productivity and employment
The impact of digitalization on productivity and employment are dynamic and multi-faceted. While digitalization can significantly boost productivity its impact on employment depends on such factors as the nature of the workforce and the adaptive capacity of economies. Nuanced policy and regulatory responses are therefore required so that the digitalization and productivity gains translate into inclusive employment growth.
Foreword
In the vibrant and diverse Asia-Pacific region the transformative role of digitalization in shaping the future of countries in special situations − least developed countries (LDCs) landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS) — cannot be overstated. This report delves into the ways digital advancements can catalyse productivity and employment and includes discussions on policy options to overcome traditional development challenges such as limited productivity capacities lack of economies of scale and challenging geographic features.
Explanatory notes
Analyses in the report are based on data and information available up to the end of February 2024.
Productive Capacities Index: 2nd Generation
Enhanced Statistical and Methodological Approach with Results
This report details the methodological and technical changes made to PCI 23 released on UNCTADstat 20 June 2023. PCI users are advised to consult the UNCTADStat Data Centre to download updated data and editable working files to ensure the most recent values are captured in their analysis. Statistics presented through the UNCTADStat Data Centre reflect the most up-to-date revision and should be considered the values of reference. The PCI is based on 42 indicators in 8 categories which refer to variables directly collected or calculated as a combination of other collected variables (see Appendix 4.1.). The indicators were updated with the most recently available data and revisions based on the same sources as the original PCI version before the update round described herein started. Only when the original source was no longer available was a new source sought.
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Under Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations every treaty and every international agreement entered into by any Member of the United Nations after the coming into force of the Charter shall as soon as possible be registered with the Secretariat and published by it. Furthermore no party to a treaty or international agreement subject to registration which has not been registered may invoke that treaty or agreement before any organ of the United Nations. The General Assembly by resolution 97 (I) established regulations to give effect to Article 102 of the Charter (see text of the regulations vol. 859 p. VIII; https://treaties.un.org/Pages/Resource.aspx?path=Publication/Regulation/Page1_en.xml).
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