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Seamless sustainable transport connectivity in Asia and the Pacific: prospects and challenges

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Abstract

In view of the ongoing financial and economic crisis originated during 2008–09 and the possibility of a double dip recession in advanced economies, export-dependent economies of Asia and the Pacific need to rebalance its growth toward domestic and regional demand for sustainable growth of Asia and the world. Despite remarkable growth during the last decade, the region still faces extensive basic infrastructure needs such as transport, energy, telecommunications and water. Asia, therefore, needs to enhance its connectivity through developing transport infrastructure at the national and regional level to rebalance its growth through enhancing intraregional trade, to enhance economic integration and to meet basic infrastructure needs. Transport plays a significant role in enhancing connectivity within and across Asian economies. However, building massive transport infrastructure will have profound implications on environment and climate change at the national, regional and global levels. In this evolving scenario, Asia needs to build efficient, safe, affordable, timely, world-class, socially and environmentally sustainable and seamless transport connections within the region, and with the rest of the world, in order to be competitive and prosperous. This paper analyzes the major challenges in developing sustainable transport connectivity, by fostering regional cooperation toward a seamless Asia. The paper examines the needs and benefits of transport connectivity and financing requirement for 2010–2020. It examines the impact of transport connectivity on environment and the prospects and challenges for developing seamless sustainable transport connectivity. Finally, the paper provides policy recommendations on what the region can do to meet these challenges.

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Notes

  1. For details about these key elements of connectivity, see the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, available at http://www.aseansec.org/documents/MPAC.pdf, accessed 9 November 2010.

  2. GMS, established in 1992, consists of six members – Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and PRC. Website - http://www.gms-eoc.org/

  3. CAREC was established in 1997 and consists of eight member-states: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and PRC. Website: http://www.carecnet.org/en/about

  4. BIMP-EAGA was formally launched in 1994 in Davao City in Mindanao, Philippines. Website: http://www.bimp-eaga.org/about.php

  5. Based on Shah (2010)

  6. The Marrakech Process is a global process to support the elaboration of a 10-Year Framework of Programs (10YFP) on sustainable consumption and production, as called for by the WSSD Johannesburg Plan of Action. Details at UN-DESA website - http://esa.un.org/marrakechprocess/

  7. IEA –has 28 member countries, mostly from Western Europe and North America. The only two Asian members are Japan and South Korea. Website - http://iea.org/about/membercountries.asp

  8. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the “flexibility” mechanisms defined in the Kyoto Protocol (IPCC, 2007).It is intended to achieve sustainable development by assisting parties in achieving compliance with their quantified emission limitation and reduction commitments in GHG emission caps. Website - http://cdm.unfccc.int/index.html

  9. United Nations Centre for Regional Development. Website - http://www.uncrd.or.jp/

  10. For further details of the 4th Asian EST Summit, please refer to - http://www.uncrd.or.jp/env/4th-regional-est-forum/index_seoul_statement.htm

  11. Adapted from Bhattacharyay (2010) where an Asian Infrastructure Fund (AIF) had been recommended.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines

    Biswa Nath Bhattacharyay

  2. Asian Development Bank Institute, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan

    Biswa Nath Bhattacharyay

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  1. Biswa Nath Bhattacharyay
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Correspondence to Biswa Nath Bhattacharyay.

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The author thanks Radhakrishnan Dinakar, Mustafa Moinuddin and Jacinta Bernadette Rico for excellent research assistance and anonymous referees for useful comments.

The views expressed in this paper are of author and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Asian Development Bank.

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Bhattacharyay, B.N. Seamless sustainable transport connectivity in Asia and the Pacific: prospects and challenges. Int Econ Econ Policy 9, 147–189 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10368-012-0210-y

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