Showing 1 - 10 of 16
AI as Asia's new growth engine?
Oped, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 27/11/2025
» Two decades after globalisation fuelled a global economic boom, growth has shifted onto a more subdued path, where it is likely to remain for the foreseeable future. Beyond the immediate shock of fragmenting trade and investment ties -- a result of rising geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and China -- lie structural headwinds, including population ageing, stagnant productivity, and the growing costs of inequality and natural disaster. These challenges strike at the heart of Asia's growth model.
Conflict undermines cooperation
Oped, David Jay Green, Published on 05/08/2025
» The long-standing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has again escalated to actual conflict. Dozens of people have been killed, more have been injured, and more than 170,000 people have had to flee their homes. Cross-border trade and tourism are on hold. As I write this piece, a fragile ceasefire is still in place, but we need more than this; we need an end to hostilities between the two countries.
Urbanisation needs a gender reset
Oped, Sanjay Mathur, Published on 05/03/2025
» Urbanisation is reshaping our world and future, and nowhere is this transformation more profound than in Asia. Today, more than 2.2 billion people -- 54% of the global urban population -- live in Asian cities. By 2050, this figure is expected to increase by an additional 1.2 billion people. As urban centres expand, so must our vision for them. Cities must work for everyone, and that means gender-responsive urban planning must top our agenda.
Transition-finance for a green economy
Oped, Sarinee Achavanuntakul, Published on 05/03/2025
» For those who advocate for more timely and meaningful climate finance commensurate with the increasingly cataclysmic impact of climate change, the year 2025 seems to begin on a rocky start. Early last month, 11 large US and Canadian banks exited the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), the UN-backed coalition of banks that claim their dedication to advancing global net zero goals through financing activities.
China: Benefactor or imperial menace?
Oped, Kasit Piromya, Published on 06/09/2024
» Since the start of the 21st century, China has shown its desire to recapture its previous position as the world's most powerful and influential nation. Centuries ago, China -- going by the name of the "Middle Kingdom" -- was the world's most influential nation until Western European countries arrived on the shores of the Chinese empire in the early 16th century.
Net-zero finance must be equitable
Oped, Masatsugu Asakawa, Published on 13/08/2024
» The Asia and the Pacific region stand at a critical juncture, positioned both as a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and a potential leader in transformative climate action. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), alongside our member countries, is steering the region towards a sustainable future through support for a just transition. Our vision aims to reorient economic and social frameworks to foster low-carbon, climate-resilient growth that enhances prosperity and inclusion.
Unlocking dollars to ease a crisis
Oped, Masatsugu Asakawa, Published on 12/10/2023
» The world is at a tipping point. The pandemic left a toxic legacy of spiralling poverty, debt distress, and inequality, all amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis. Even more alarming is climate change, a long-term existential threat that is already wrecking lives and costing billions.
Time to adapt global value chains
Oped, Ramesh Subramaniam & James Villafuerte, Published on 18/04/2023
» The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) economies has again proven itself to be among the world's most resilient economic groupings. Relying on strong exports, sound macroeconomic policies, and effective buffers, the economies of Asean recovered rapidly from the devastating impact of Covid-19, recording growth of 5.6% in 2022 after falling to 3.2% in 2020.
Act now on sustainability goals
Oped, Armida Alisjahbana, Woochong Um and Kanni Wignaraja, Published on 14/07/2022
» The start of a "Decade of Action" to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has also marked beginning of an unprecedented period of overlapping crises.
Asean must seize new opportunities
Oped, Masatsugu Asakawa, Published on 22/04/2022
» As Asean economies continue their path to safely reopening and getting back to business, they must also manage growing economic challenges and identify how best to seize new opportunities for a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable recovery.