Maldives has no proven fossil fuel reserves, but it has abundant renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and ocean (tidal, wave, and ocean thermal), and has the potential to produce green hydrogen fuel using renewable energy. The coronavirus pandemic has impaired Maldives’ economy, severely affecting its tourism industry, which is one the country’s main economic drivers. The country’s recovery will largely depend on the rapid transformation and diversification of its economic activities. Renewable energy offers a promising alternative to fossil fuels as the country embarks on a transformation challenge. This Road Map serves as a guide for Maldives’ energy transition—from being powered by costly and polluting fossil fuels to being powered by affordable and efficient renewable and cleaner energy sources.

This report shows how Maldives, already taking strides toward energy transition through hybrid renewable mini-grid energy systems to reduce its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuel, slice emissions, and foster sustainable and inclusive growth. It highlights the ongoing success of the ADB-supported Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Energy Development (POISED) project which has collaborated with utilities to install hybrid energy generation alongside advanced battery storage and management systems for Maldives’ outer islands. Setting out the social, economic, and environmental benefits of a shift to hybrid systems, the report explains how other climate vulnerable countries could follow suit and adopt similar low-carbon technologies to improve their energy security. The Maldives’ experience is particularly unique, given the vast number of islands covered, underscores the potential for innovation and resilience in addressing global energy challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced countries around the globe into lockdown, imposing trade and travel restrictions with devastating economic impacts on all sectors of the economy. In working toward greater economic stability, Australia has been strengthening its trade relations with other countries, which is reflected through its increased strategic relations with India. However, it is now essential to explore how Australia is working to further expand its collaboration with other South Asian countries and find new markets and opportunities for trade, investment, tourism, international education, and business dealings for its resources, services, manufacturing, and technology sectors. Strategic Cooperation and Partnerships Between Australia and South Asia: Economic Development, Trade, and Investment Opportunities Post COVID-19 provides an overview of the Australian trade and investment relationship with South Asian countries and identifies the trends and developments of bilateral trade agreements in strategic areas of trade, tourism, investment, education, prior and post COVID-19. Covering topics such as international trade, climate change policy, and macroeconomics, it is ideal for policymakers, practitioners, industry professionals, government officials, academicians, researchers, instructors, and students.

This sector directional guide describes the context and rationale that will guide the agenda of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in supporting developing member countries with financing, knowledge, convening ability, and technical assistance to ensure improved the coherence, relevance, efficiency, and effectiveness of ADB’s energy sector investments. It outlines the priorities and focus for the energy sector in line with Strategy 2023. The guide is designed to be a living document, to be updated as needed to remain relevant to the dynamic development context of Asia and the Pacifi c. A midterm review will be conducted following the expected review of the Energy Policy in 2025.

The IISS Strategic Dossier China’s Belt and Road Initiative provides a geopolitical and geo-economic assessment of President Xi Jinping’s flagship foreign-policy initiative. The dossier explores the Belt and Road Initiative’s role in China’s domestic industrial strategy and in the country’s growing influence around the world. It studies how Beijing’s ambitions, management and financing of the initiative have evolved since its launch in 2013. In addition, the volume reflects on the future of China’s initiative following the COVID-19 pandemic. The dossier is organised around a region by region assessment of what Beijing has sought to achieve in different countries and how the Belt and Road Initiative has played out over time. The volume examines recipient countries’ responses to the Belt and Road Initiative and how these have affected it. It also looks at responses from other global and regional powers to China’s economic activities around the world and offers thoughts on ways the West might better contend with Beijing’s geo-economic influence.

This book contains selected proceedings of EPREC-2021 with a focus on power systems. The book includes original research and case studies that present recent developments in power systems, principally renewable energy conversion systems, distributed generations, microgrids, smart grid, HVDC & FACTS, power quality, power system protection, etc. The book will be a valuable reference guide for beginners, researchers, and professionals interested in advancements in power systems.

This outlook highlights climate-safe investment options until 2050, policies for transition and specific regional challenges. It also explores options to eventually cut emissions to zero.