Regional cooperation for trade and transport connectivity in the age of pandemics in Asia and the Pacific
“Coordination, digitalization, harmonization and partnership” could remain as guiding principles of the trade and transport response during the pandemic and in its aftermath. The existing cooperation mechanisms for trade and transport connectivity in Asia and the Pacific should be mobilized to provide stronger momentum for facilitation, harmonization and digitalization of cross-border trade and transport procedures. This includes the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific, and the intergovernmental agreements on the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway Networks. Complementing this, regional coordination in times of crises can also be institutionalized in future negotiations of relevant regional, subregional and bilateral trade and transport agreements.
COVID-19 and its impact on railway sector in Asia and the Pacific
The policy brief explores challenges and opportunities for sustainable railway transport connectivity in the times of COVID-19 pandemic.
Seamless and smart connectivity along the Asian Highway network in the time of COVID-19
This technical note aims to offer policy recommendations for policy responses using new technologies and smart road solutions to preserve the regional transport connectivity in the time of the pandemics and other similar disruptions.
COVID-19 and its impact on shipping and port sector in Asia and the Pacific
The policy brief focuses on the impact of the pandemic on the shipping and port industry and the policy responses on COVID-19 in Asia-Pacific.