Beyond the Pandemic

Since early 2020, COVID-19 (coronavirus) has triggered unprecedented and globally-synchronized health, social and economic crises. With hard-won development gains and progress in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia and the Pacific now under threat, this publication analyzes the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic in the region. It recognizes actions taken and offers recommendations to policymakers for building back better, in line with the SDGs, and for fostering resilience, in anticipation of future pandemics and similar widescale crises. The publication also focuses on a number of areas for regional cooperation, in particular: strengthening social protection; ensuring a sustained economic recovery; strengthening sustainable regional connectivity and supply chains; and protecting and restoring ecosystems.