Suchergebnisse

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hindered progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development leaving the world in despair. As a result, the world felt the need to continue working together, reconceptualising the goals, and finding actual targets in 2021. This study focuses on concept and challenges of cultural diplomacy as a mean of sustainable development. It further discusses cultural diplomacy in connection with the SDG-17 ('partnerships for the goals'). The study also suggests how to actualize its targets. SDG-17 has 19 targets (Appendix 1). This study suggests addition of 20th target with title: "encourage effective cultural diplomacy", keeping in view the current situation of the pandemic. Pakistan is a country with rich history, diverse music and languages, different cuisines, and ancient sites like Mohenjo-daro2, and Makli Necropolis3. On the contrary, the country is known in the world for extremism, religious intolerance, border tensions especially with India on Kashmir issue, etc. A major reason for the negative image of Pakistan is global media's propaganda. In such a scenario, Pakistan needs to have a comprehensive plan and policy to promote its soft image more efficiently. The country's foreign policy needs to embed with clear-cut expressions of cultural diplomacy. In 2021, Pakistan ranked 10th most powerful country in terms of military strength (Global Firepower Index 2021); whereas it is now placed at 53rd position on the Soft Power Index (Salam 2020). Taking advantage of its rich culture, it can benefit from cultural diplomacy. Not only Pakistan can build a fair image of itself, but it can also attract more international partnerships to achieve the SDGs.

The Kyrgyz Republic joined the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 1994. In recent years, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic has maintained a strong development agenda to reduce poverty through inclusive economic growth. With the support of ADB, the government has sought to strengthen the health sector, reinforce social protection, reform legal and regulatory frameworks, improve the country's business environment, make affordable finance available to all, improve the reliability of electricity services, and help Kyrgyz citizens become more employable.

This open access book presents contemporary perspectives on the role of a learning society from the lens of leading practitioners, experts from universities, governments, and industry leaders. The think pieces argue for a learning society as a major driver of change with far-reaching influence on learning to serve the needs of economies and societies. The book is a testimonial to the importance of 'learning communities.' It highlights the pivotal role that can be played by non-traditional actors such as city and urban planners, citizens, transport professionals, and technology companies. This collection seeks to contribute to the discourse on strengthening the fabric of a learning society crucial for future economic and social development, particularly in the aftermath of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Afghanistan was a founding member of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 1966 and has since been supported by the bank over two periods. Resuming its partnership with the country in 2002 after a hiatus from 1980 to 2001, ADB—in collaboration with other development partners—is supporting Afghanistan's national development strategies and priority programs to establish a stronger foundation for sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. As one of Afghanistan's largest on-budget partners in infrastructure development and regional cooperation, ADB provides in-depth experience in delivering projects for fragile and conflict-affected situations. The bank directs its financial assistance mainly to improvements in agriculture, natural resources, and rural development; energy; and transport.

With some of the world's highest mountains covering 93% of its territory, Tajikistan faces obstacles to its development, including food insecurity, limited transport connectivity, and low levels of private investment. Due to its narrow economic base and reliance on remittances by labor migrants, Tajikistan's economy remains vulnerable to external shocks such as the global economic impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has partnered with Tajikistan since 1998. ADB's investments in the country have emphasized diversifying the economic base and improving the investment climate to create jobs with higher incomes. ADB has helped Tajikistan to improve its transport, energy, and municipal infrastructure. The bank has also supported the upgrading of labor force skills and improvements to food security.

The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has enjoyed robust economic growth over 2 decades, but the economy has been slowing since 2015. While the country has avoided a large outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), restrictions associated with the pandemic have restrained economic expansion and accentuated the country's development challenges. The Lao PDR needs to achieve faster structural transformation and export diversification for higher and more inclusive growth. Challenges in building institutional capacity and maintaining macroeconomic stability hinder advances in competitiveness, while investments in infrastructure and skills are needed to increase productivity.

Comprising around 1,190 small islands with only 188 inhabited, Maldives has been supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) since 1978. High-end tourism has propelled the country's strong economic expansion over recent decades, and this has helped Maldives gain upper middleincome status, with the highest income per capita in South Asia. However, as a relatively small island economy, the country is extremely vulnerable to external economic shocks and the negative impacts of climate change. Since 1978, ADB has committed loans, grants, and technical assistance worth $476.75 million (excluding equity investment of $4.5 million) for Maldives. Cumulative loan and grant disbursements to the Maldives amount to $255.6 million. These were financed by regular and concessional ordinary capital resources, the Asian Development Fund, and other special funds.

Prior to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the country's economic growth averaged 5.9% during 2017–2020, boosted by stronger external demand and a recovery in foreign direct investment. COVID-19 has put the economy under deep pressure, despite resolute action taken by the Government of Mongolia to contain the virus. Gross domestic product contracted by 5.3% in 2020. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been Mongolia's largest multilateral development partner since 1991, supporting the country's transformation to a middle-income, market-based economy.

Pakistan was a founding member of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 1966. ADB has since committed over $36.31 billion to promote inclusive economic growth and improve the country's infrastructure, energy and food security, transport networks, and social services. Aligned with the Government of Pakistan's development vision, ADB's new country partnership strategy, 2021–2025 focuses on three priorities: improving economic management, building resilience, and boosting competitiveness and private sector development.

Prior to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Philippines' economic growth had averaged 6.4% annually from 2010 to 2019, with private consumption, investment, and services as major growth drivers. In 2020, however, gross domestic product fell by 9.5% and the country registered its first recession since the Asian Financial Crisis in 1998. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is headquartered in the Philippines, is one of the country's largest sources of official development assistance, with average annual lending of $1.9 billion over the 5 years to 2020. The bank's support is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2017–2022 and the Government of the Philippines' Long-Term Vision for the Philippines (AmBisyon Natin 2040). Since 1966, ADB has committed public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling $26.4 billion to the Philippines. Cumulative loan and grant disbursements to the Philippines amount to $20.12 billion. These were financed by regular and concessional ordinary capital resources, and other special funds.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) comprises more than 1,000 islets and atolls spread across just 181 square kilometers in the North Pacific. Its economy relies on fisheries and development assistance, including grants under its Compact of Free Association with the United States (the Compact). Compact grants have been decreasing since 2003, and the RMI is in negotiations to extend the free association beyond 2023. In 2020, border closures associated with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted fishery supply chains, which proved highly detrimental to the economy. The country is also tasked with balancing resources for its urban and rural populations, and enhancing resilience to climate change.

The study examined the operational and economic impact of Timor-Leste's Covid-19 State of Emergency on MSMEs, in general, and on tourism MSMEs, in particular. It was conducted by the Foundation and the Mata Dalan Institute, and utilized a mixed-method approach to data collection that comprised face-to-face surveys, telephone interviews, and online data collection. Between May and August 2020, the Foundation's Tourism Development Program surveyed the owners or managers of 342 businesses regarding how their business operations had been affected by Covid-19. Of these businesses, 59 percent were operating in the tourism sector.

ADB's support for Armenia targets inclusive, diversified, and transformative growth. It includes priority infrastructure investments in transport, energy, and urban development; assistance to reform service delivery in education, health, and financial services; and support for regional cooperation and integration. Since 2005, ADB has committed 36 loans totaling $1.55 billion (including 23 sovereign loans amounting to $1.19 billion and 13 private sector loans and 1 equity financing facility amounting to $356.9 million) and technical assistance grants totaling $26.6 million, including ADB-administered cofinancing, for Armenia. Cumulative loan disbursements to Armenia amount to $1.19 billion. These were financed by regular and concessional ordinary capital resources. As a middleincome country, Armenia has access only to market-based ordinary capital resources.

Consisting of 15 small islands scattered over 1.8 million square kilometers, the Cook Islands has an economy driven largely by tourism and public infrastructure spending. Its nationals have open access to work and reside in Australia and New Zealand. The country is highly vulnerable to climatic and economic shocks, while emigration patterns are leading to a declining population and shortages of skilled workers. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and associated travel restrictions led to a plunge in gross domestic product in 2020, impacting employment and therefore household and government incomes. The Cook Islands joined the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 1976. ADB's assistance has since helped increase electricity generation from renewable energy sources, improve internet connectivity, and strengthen resilience to natural disasters. The bank is also supporting the country's COVID-19 response and recovery programs.

Fiji has one of the most developed economies in the Pacific, with tourism as the main driver of economic activity and foreign direct investment. In 2020, international travel restrictions associated with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused a collapse in tourism arrivals and contributed to an estimated 19% contraction in Fiji's gross domestic product. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been supporting Fiji since 1970 and is currently working with the national government based on the country partnership strategy, 2019–2023. Over the strategy period, ADB anticipates an allocation of $600 million in sovereign and nonsovereign resources to help Fiji overcome its key development challenges, including pandemic recovery.