The establishment of disaster risk financing (DRF) instruments is important. However, they will only be effective within an enabling environment. This presentation compares disaster risk financing in four countries to illustrate the development of an effective DRF strategy in varying contexts.

Rural Access Index (RAI) is the percentage of rural people who live within 2 km (typically equivalent to a walk of 20 minutes) of an all-season road as a proportion of the total rural population. After a review of the RAI was undertaken in 2015-2016, a new way of tracking was proposed. Called the Spatial Rural Access Index, this new approach updates the RAI based on new spatial data and techniques, i.e., satellite imagery, while using the original definition.

Governments around the world can pursue sustainable development more effectively by embracing a whole-of-government approach in their adaptation of the institutional framework for implementation of the global sustainable development goals (SDGs). A holistic, innovative, and inclusive approach combined with participatory governance is critical for effective implementation of the SDGs at the local level.

Stakeholders in Cambodia, Nepal, and Samoa who have been adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects mentioned communications or the lack of it as the main factor for their grievances. In these cases, simply providing information about the project was not enough. Communication processes needed to be tailored to respond to the needs of stakeholders to bring out critical issues for dialogue and resolution—especially for projects consisting of multiple players with diverse interests.

Mongolia, Nepal, and Viet Nam differ in their use of ICT for social protection services. Mongolia has extensively used ICT: It has issued electronic ID cards to all its citizens starting in 2012, which the latter use to access government services. Viet Nam and Nepal have started to introduce the use of ICT, and are currently building up their IT infrastructure so that they can eventually deliver fast and efficient social protection services to target beneficiaries.

Private sector resources are essential to the growth and sustainability of quality technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems in the Asia and Pacific region, and not simply about getting more money. Creating the right environment for sustainable financing will help achieve TVET and national policy objectives.

The level of ICT implementation on pedagogical practices vary across countries in the Asia and Pacific region. Hybrid personal learning environments, blended-learning methods, and century-blended learning models are some of the latest trends in technology-enhanced learning. Today’s teachers should invest on professional development to stay ahead in an ICT-based learning environment.