The Asian Development Bank issued two important publications. The book explores financial issues in the ASEAN area while the working paper models social protection programs in the region.

(1) Redefining Strategic Routes to Financial Resilience in ASEAN+3

This book prepared by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) explores how regional financial cooperation could support greater financial resilience in ASEAN+3 amid rapid economic and financial development and technological change.

Globalization and digitalization have transformed the financial landscape of ASEAN+3—the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Despite impressive reforms, the region faces continued challenges. These include deepening corporate bond markets, coping with cross-border bank concentration risk, reducing dependence on the United States dollar, achieving sustainable infrastructure investments, addressing pension issues, and supporting fintech development. This edited volume highlights the potential for stronger regional financial cooperation to help address such challenges. It discusses lessons learned through financial cooperation since the Asian financial crisis and sets out policy considerations to help promote a more resilient financial future.

Contact Details: ADB Publications. Click HERE.

(2) COVID-19 and Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific: Projected Costs for 2020–2030

This working paper prepared by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) applies the Social Protection Reform Simulation (SPRS20) costing model to analyze the costs associated with social protection in 30 Asia and Pacific countries against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using the SPRS20, the authors seek to estimate the cost of delivering standardized social protection packages through the emergency (2020), recovery/transition (2021–2023), and the remaining duration for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (2024–2030). Anticipating further demand and need for social protection for considerably large sections of the population, this working paper aims to foster further research and discussion on social protection in Asia and the Pacific and aid countries in strategizing for the future.

Contact Details: ADB Publications. Click HERE.