Publications List

Comprehensive listing of books, reports, and research on regional cooperation and integration (RCI) in South Asia and relevant global RCI publications, including publications on transport, trade facilitation, energy, and economic corridors in the SASEC region.

Selected Publication

Connecting to Compete

Connecting to Compete scores and benchmarks countries’ performance on logistics, which is determined by various factors including infrastructure, regulations, policies, geography, and political economy. In the 2016 Logistics Performance Index (LPI), which measures the efficiency of international supply chains, the “logistics gap” between more and less developed countries remain evident. Among SASEC member countries, India is a top performing lower-middle-income economy, improving its rank from 54 in 2014 to 35 in 2016. Bangladesh is ranked 87, Maldives is ranked 104, Nepal is ranked 124, and Bhutan is ranked 135. The publication remarks that coastal countries score better than landlocked countries—a pattern clearly evident in South Asia—and notes that lack of integration in the region keeps the good logistics performance of India from improving the rankings of its neighbors. For countries at the bottom of the rankings, border management reforms continue to be a serious concern, as paperwork and long delays constrain trade efficiency.

Author: Jean-François Arvis, Daniel Saslavsky, Lauri Ojala, Ben Shepherd, Christina Busch, Anasuya Raj, and Tapio Naula

Year: 2016

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Tags: Logistics, Business Efficiency, Trade Facilitation

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Transforming Energy Systems for a Low Carbon Future in Asia and the Pacific

This report looks at the advancements and obstacles faced in the transition to a low-carbon energy future in Asia and the Pacific, and analyzes the region’s progress toward Sustainable Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) has been backing initiatives that enhance regional power grid connectivity as regional and cross-border planning becomes more important. Initiatives such as the Greater Mekong Subregion, the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation, and the Economic Cooperation Organization aim to expand cross-border power infrastructure and electricity trade. These examples illustrate how multilateral cooperation strengthens energy security and help achieve common climate goals.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2025

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Tags: UNESCAP, Regional Cooperation, Energy, Cooperation, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals

Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2025: Understanding the Macroeconomic Implications of Climate Change

Climate shocks and disasters in Asia and the Pacific are disrupting livelihoods and economies. Transitioning to low-carbon development is necessary, though it may also lead to unexpected socioeconomic challenges. Understanding how climate change, climate policies, and economic outcomes are interconnected is needed to ensure long-term stability in the region. This publication looks at this connection and introduces a new assessment of macroeconomic and climate readiness in the Asia and Pacific region.

Author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Year: 2025

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Tags: Climate Change, Asia-Pacific

Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2025

This report gives statistics on economic, financial, social, environmental measures, and select indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Statistics for Development Bank's members, including South Asian countries, cover figures for energy, transport and communications, and international trade and logistics.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2025

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Tags: ADB, South Asia, Sustainable Development Goals, Transport,

Energy Transition Readiness Assessment for Developing Asia and the Pacific

This publication analyzes the unique conditions of developing Asia and the Pacific and presents what the countries need to transition to renewable energy. In South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation and Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation countries, power systems are being integrated to improve grid stability and let areas with high renewable resources to transmit electricity to areas with high demand.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2025

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Tags: ADB, Energy, SASEC, CAREC

Asian Economic Integration Report 2025

This report breaks down how regional integration has affected trade, global value chains, foreign direct investment, and tourism and driven growth in Asia and the Pacific in the last two decades. It looks at how subregions have grown more integrated through such initiatives as the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation program. As of June 2024, SASEC projects have totaled $20.8 billion in worth, including $12.8 billion funded by the Asian Development Bank; while 155 technical assistance projects (worth $224.78 million) have supported project preparation, strategic planning, and capacity building.

Author: Asian Development Bank

Year: 2025

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Tags: ADB, SASEC, Global Value Chains, CAREC

Returned 5 publications