Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2008: Addresing Triple Threats to Development

In 2008, three global crises converged to threaten development in the Asia-Pacific region, bringing to the fore particularly testing challenges for policymakers – a Great Recession in developed countries, food and fuel price volatility and climate change calamities. The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2009 analyses these threats and outlines ways in which economies in the region can move forward in unison from crisis resilience to crisis resistance. By addressing these policy tensions through the principles of sustainability and inclusiveness the development process of the Asia-Pacific region will take on its full meaning. Rather than playing catch-up with the developed countries, Asia-Pacific countries are now afforded a unique opportunity to work in a collaborative manner with each other and with developed countries.