The trade policies of the countries of the Andean Group--Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela--are in the midst of rapid change, particularly in agriculture, where trade policies are being overhauled and trade rules rewritten on domestic, regional, and global levels. This paper...

As the telecommunications sector evolves toward a more competitive environment in which the private actors become the main players, it is essential to develop policies that will reduce the disparities between urban and rural telecommunications services. This report provides a comprehensive...

Lakes and reservoirs, which are key components of the world's water resources, are under serious threat(disturbances in the watersheds, pollution, overfishing, introduction of exotic species, diversions, and lake reclamation are all taking a toll. This report describes the special challenges of...

Air pollution has become a serious issue in many Asian cities. A major cause is the expanding motor vehicle population--with growth rates as high as 23 percent in rapidly growing economies such as China. Experience worldwide has shown that the use of clean fuels (low-lead or unleaded gasoline...

Transport-related air pollution is increasingly contributing to environmental health risks in many developing country cities. The social costs of poor urban quality can be significant, making this issue an immediate priority. Long-term measures for dealing with the problem include urban...