State-owned enterprises (SOEs) continue to constrain Pacific economies. They absorb scarce capital, suffer low productivity, and often provide high cost and low quality services. SOE reform is vital to create private investment opportunities, reduce the costs of doing business, and improve...

One of a series of six reports on the status of marine resources in the western Pacific Ocean, the State of the Coral Triangle: Solomon Islands describes the biophysical characteristics of Solomon Islands’ coastal and marine ecosystems, the manner in which they are being exploited, the...

The Central Mekong Delta Region Connectivity Project aims to enhance connectivity across provinces of southern Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh City. It includes two major bridges, a 15-kilometer road connecting the two bridges, and approach roads. Given the high exposure of the Mekong Delta to severe...

This paper presents the results of ADB's study on Social Protection Index in Asia and the Pacific from the poverty dimension perspective. The Social Protection Index is a compact, simple indicator designed to help governments assess social protection programs. The paper analyzes the impact on...

Wave energy conversion (WEC) and Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) are two potentially significant sources of renewable energy that are available to help the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) developing member countries (DMCs) reduce their dependence on fossil-fuel based energy generation...

Effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is important for evidence-based planning and decision making. It promotes transparency, accountability, and learning. This publication presents a brief overview of the Nepal M&E system, and highlights the strengths and challenges in integrating Scaling...

Marine resources in the Coral Triangle provide food, income, and jobs to its more than 350 million residents. However, the countries bordering this species-rich area—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste—share closer links in their ecology...

Since the inception of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has participated in the preparation of 16 investment plans in 14 countries. Under these plans, ADB is administering $1.6 billion in funding for 37 projects across the region. This document presents...

Malaysia has made a firm commitment to sustainable management and conservation of its coastal and marine resources, helping formulate and implement the Sulu–Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion Initiative and the Coral Triangle Initiative. Rapid economic growth, uncontrolled tourism development,...

Innovation and Inclusion for a Prosperous Asia was the theme of the 1st ADB–Asian Think Tank Development Forum held on 30–31 October 2013 at the Tangla Hotel in Beijing. The forum was organized by ADB in partnership with the Asia–Pacific Finance and Development Center Beijing Office, a...