Digital technologies are revolutionizing the landscape of international trade and investment. As digital trade gains momentum disparities in readiness are accentuating pre-existing inequalities. Countries and communities that are ill-prepared to seize these opportunities risk losing out on fundamental drivers of contemporary economic growth societal development and environmental conservation. Trade and investment authorities are grappling with a pressing challenge: – How can digital trade and investment policies be crafted to simultaneously drive growth and cater to societal and environmental imperatives? This core inquiry is the focus of the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report "Unleashing Digital Trade and Investment for Sustainable Development." The report jointly prepared by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) delves into both the potential and obstacles associated with digital trade and investment. This report weaves together an integrative policy-making approach particularly enlightening policymakers in trade and investment about the roles they can assume to realize the potential of digital trade and investment as effective means for the achievement of the SDGs. The report seeks to broaden policymakers' perspectives and is expected to stimulate policy dialogues and inter-ministerial and public-private sector collaboration. It advocates for a cohesive strategy at both the global and regional levels to reap greater benefits from digital trade and investment and as well as to maintain focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This report provides an analysis of the rise of non-tariff measures (NTMs) and its implications for Asia and the Pacific. Prepared jointly by ESCAP and UNCTAD it reviews the costs and benefits associated with such measures from a sustainable development perspective and identifies good practices to ensure that they serve their legitimate social or environmental purpose while not unnecessarily and negatively affecting trade and investment. The report focuses on the rise of NTMs and why they matter for sustainable development. It delves on the impact of NTMs in Asia and the Pacific explores their relationship to international standards and discusses streamlining NTMs for Sustainable Development.

This report aims to deepen understanding of trends and developments in trade investment and regional integration in the Asia-Pacific region; emerging issues in trade investment and trade facilitation policies and impacts of these policies on countries' abilities to meet the challenges of achieving inclusive and sustainable development. It offers innovative policy options to meet the challenges of achieving sustainable trade and investment. It contains separate country and subregional country briefs. Part I delves into recent trends and developments pertaining to trade in merchandise and commercial services and foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. Part II analyses how trade and investment are interlinked and can be channeled into sustainable development.

This report identifies the challenges and opportunities for trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region concluding that with the right policies and strengthened regional cooperation the region will be able to continue strong trade- and investment-led growth. With the continued stalling of the international Doha Round of negotiations regional trade agreements remain an important approach to controlling protectionism. A fresh look at the rules under these agreements is recommended. The report emphasizes that governments need to step up efforts to improve the environment for business and investment.

When the economic crisis hit Asia and the Pacific in the course of 2008 exports and economic growth rates tumbled while unemployment rose sharply and results for 2009 look set to be even worse. The objective of this report is to sensitize policymakers to various trade policy tools which could be used to counter the economic and social impact of the crisis and achieve long-term inclusive and sustainable development. It analyses the role of trade in development looks at the role of government and business in trade for development and explores the various modalities of trade policy. In this regard the report reviews the role of the multilateral trading system and regional trade agreements in enhancing both global and intraregional trade. It discusses the importance of trade facilitation and availability of trade finance in times of crisis and beyond.