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From 15-18 November 2013, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chief justices and their designees convened in Bangkok, Thailand for their third roundtable on environment with the theme «ASEAN's Environmental Challenges and Legal Responses.» Distinguished speakers and the judicial participants shared their knowledge and experiences in dealing with the region's environmental challenges, and the various means and innovations they have implemented to effectively address these challenges. The ASEAN judiciaries agreed on how they could advance regional collaboration and accelerate the implementation of «A Common Vision on Environment for ASEAN Judiciaries» (the «Jakarta Common Vision»), such as by establishing National Working Groups on Environment and an ASEAN Judiciaries Working Group on Environment, and prioritizing the attendance of their chief justices at the annual ASEAN Chief Justices' Roundtable on Environment that is supported by the Asian Development Bank.

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The energy policy of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) focuses on maximizing energy access, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, and promoting improved governance and capacity in the energy sector to strengthen the capacity of developing member countries to meet critical energy needs. This publication seeks to further ADB's efforts to promote knowledge sharing among stakeholders and help identify the policy, regulatory, and legal barriers to energy access; design and implement effective frameworks; and develop strategies to scale up energy access for all. This publication also seeks to serve as a reference for stakeholders and menu of options for further action.

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A crucial issue that confronts development in South Asia is how to build a better life for people displaced by infrastructure development projects. This book comprises recent displacement and resettlement case studies conducted by eight anthropologists in South Asia. Each contributor wrote around the key theme of the book: Is involuntary resettlement a development opportunity for those displaced by development interventions? In this book, «resettlement» carries a broader meaning to include physical and economic displacement, restricted access to public land such as forests and parks, relocation, income rehabilitation, and self-relocation. The book demonstrates that despite significant progress in national policies, laws, and regulations, their application still requires more commitment, adequate resources, and better supervision.

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The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Program, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other development partners, has scored impressive gains in promoting regional connectivity over the past 2 decades. Efforts have also been made to strengthen institutions and policies for trade and transport facilitation to increase the impact of the regional physical infrastructure. This book, prepared under an ADB technical assistance project financed by the Australian Agency for International Development, brings together studies highlighting deeper, structural challenges to trade facilitation in the GMS, including need for governance and bureaucratic reforms, trade competitiveness, and improved alignment of the regional corridors to trade flows. Importance of greater synergy between subregional and regional platforms for trade facilitation, for example between the GMS and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is also highlighted. The analyses should be of interest to development practitioners working to improve trade and transport facilitation in the GMS, elsewhere in Asia, and in the rest of the world.

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Under the joint initiative of the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), «Mainstreaming PPPs in India,» ADB supports state public–private partnership (PPP) cells in several challenging sectors in state-specific activities to arrive at possible PPP structures. In Maharashtra, ADB supported the Department of Urban Development and Water Supply and Sanitation to develop possible PPP structures in the water supply and sanitation sector. After studying possible PPP structures, their applicability in the context of selected sample cities were assessed leading to the development of proposed term sheets, which were identified as suitable and feasible for implementation. This tool kit is expected to assist the relevant public entities in Maharashtra state for developing PPP-based projects in water supply and sanitation, and may also be used as reference by similar other cities across the country.

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Public–private partnerships (PPPs) have been proven to catalyze both investments, for bridging investment gaps and improving efficiencies in delivery of services. The Government of India (GOI) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), through a pioneering PPP Initiative «Mainstreaming PPPs in India,» have therefore been supporting selected state PPP cells in creating an enabling environment by developing capacities, facilities, and PPP model structures for specific sectors. Improvements in urban infrastructure both for enhancing the quality of life and for increased productivity are critical. Developing mass transit solutions for the urban population is especially a crucial element of this. The Urban Development Department of the Government of Maharashtra was therefore supported under the GOI–ADB PPP Initiative for identifying and developing possible PPP structures for urban bus transport-based solutions in four selected sample cities. Assessments of national and international best practices, local circumstances, and consultations with municipal and private stakeholders have led to this PPP tool kit. The tool kit should be useful for public entities in the State of Maharashtra for developing PPP-based projects in urban bus transport and could also provide a reference point for use in other cities, across the country, for project development.

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This collection of studies on the political economy of Pacific island countries was authored by writers from various disciplinary backgrounds. Their research confirms the results of political economy studies of economic reform in developing countries from elsewhere around the world and shines new light on the kinds of obstacles that have to be overcome for economic reform to be successful in the Pacific. This publication presents many valuable lessons for agencies assisting in the economic development of Pacific island countries.

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Over the last several years, Vanuatu has become one of the fastest growing economies in the Pacific region driven primarily by tourism, construction, and aid inflows. The achievement of strong economic growth has also occurred on the back of improved economic policy, effective fiscal management, and improved environment for private sector development. While recent gains have been impressive, more remains to be done to sustain growth and ensure the benefits are distributed throughout the nation. The Government is now on a sound financial footing and is well placed to address key development issues. The report discusses options for responding to these needs with a view to helping guide public policy formulation in Vanuatu.

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The rising number of older persons in Asia has accentuated the importance of strengthening the systems of social protection in the region. This book examines the effectiveness and relevance of noncontributory or social pensions in supporting older persons in Asia. It discusses the political economy and financial sustainability of social pension reform, implications for gender equity and social rights, and design and implementation challenges. Case studies from Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, Viet Nam, and South Caucasus and Central Asia provide key lessons for informing development policy and practice in Asia and the Pacific.

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In December 2004, a seaquake shook the Indian Ocean, producing a powerful tsunami. The greatest damage occurred in Indonesia, nearest the quake's epicenter. The Asian Development Bank responded with a $290 million grant under the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project. Housing accounted for more of this grant than any other sector. While this book focuses on housing, more broadly it is about how implementing post-disaster projects under exceedingly difficult conditions can achieve success, while simultaneously incorporating the community-based approach recommended by donors. The book's refreshing glimpse into on-the-ground, post-disaster project implementation contains important lessons for future disaster-response donor assistance.

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