Building enabling policy environments and promoting inclusive business in ASEAN: celebrating advances and envisioning the future. The Summit will be attended by representatives from the inclusive business ecosystem in ASEAN and will be held In Bangkok on 1 November 2019.

ESCAP’s project with Google and APRU (Association of Pacific Rim Universities) aims to build a network of researchers exploring AI for social good that can conduct research relevant for policy makers. As part of this partnership, 8 research projects are being sponsored.

Grassroots innovation is a modality of inclusive innovation that enables extremely affordable, niche-adapted solutions to local problems, often unaided by public sector or outsiders even from NGO sector in the initial phase.

Women’s entrepreneurship is being recognised as a key catalyst for advancing women’s economic empowerment. By setting up and managing a business, women are poised to achieve economic independence, overcome extreme poverty, and improve their sustainable well-being as well as that of their families and communities. However, while entrepreneurs in general face considerable barriers, women entrepreneurs face additional disadvantages which hold them back from achieving their full potential. Among these, research consistently points to restricted access to finance.

Technology and innovation are a driving force behind economic growth. The ability to innovate is more than ever a major determinant of the competitiveness of firms, regions and countries. Technology and innovation also provide immense opportunities for society and the environment. They have expanded access to basic opportunities and services such as education, health and energy and offered means to address environmental concerns.

Technology and innovation are a critical factor to improve access to affordable and relevant services and have the potential to encourage an inclusive economy. Important policy actions are needed to overcome impediments preventing people with disabilities in Asia and Pacific from being empowered through technology and innovation.

Technology and innovation are a driving force behind economic growth, expanding access to basic services (such as education, health and energy) and offering means to address environmental concerns.

South Korea is the first nation to evolve from an ODA recipient to a major donor country. After joining a member of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of OECD in 2010, South Korea serves a bridging role in the international community and contributes to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) based on its increased ODA support.

Leveraging the creative economy can provide developing countries with a unique pathway towards attaining sustainable development. The creative economy can be defined broadly “as a dynamic blend of creative industries that cover all cycles of creation, production, and distribution of goods and services that use intellectual capital as primary inputs”. The creative economy has the potential to be a key sector driving job creation and innovation in developing countries. Furthermore, there is increasing recognition of the contribution of the creative economy towards trade and economic growth.