Despite efforts made by the international development financing organizations, the structure of intervention through multi-country projects with regional development goals has not been easy to design and implement. One of the reasons is the lack of clarity in the enabling legal framework and tools, both within the client countries as well as the development organizations. Against this backdrop, this study, based essentially on desk research, with limited field consultation, attempts to discuss, primarily from a legal and institutional perspectives, the tools, prospects as well as the opportunities for designing and implementing regional projects, with particular focus on the emerging practice of the World Bank, and with a special reference to the Asia region. The study, comprises an introduction, deals with the general setting, the World Bank approach toward regional projects, the importance of political will and commitment, the general legal structures for regional projects, the uniqueness and challenges for Asia, the prospects and proposals, and provides a brief conclusion.

The study attempts to share, from a legal and institutional perspective, the World Bank experience with regional projects in the past two decades, to assess the difficulties involved in their preparation and to look at the way of going forward.

Differentiated cooperation and GMS cooperation provide a theoretical model and practical example to coordinate the relationship and to promote economic and political cooperation between large and small states for the purpose of economic, political, and social development on the national, regional, and international stages.

At the beginning of the second decade of the new millennium, South Asia has emerged as a key regional variable in the contemporary global order. The last decade saw the region experiencing a robust phase of economic growth and development. Over time, South Asia's economic progress is expected to accelerate, given its favourable demography and strategic location. The prospects of faster economic growth and development, however, will materialize depending upon the region's success in handling various challenges including security, climate change, political instability and ethnic strife. It is in this context that the Sixth International Conference on South Asia brought together academics and policy specialists to provide insights and contribute to an understanding of the challenges and prospects facing the region in the new decade. This volume is a collection of the papers presented at the Conference and assembles a large and diverse set of viewpoints and perceptions on the region.

The Water Partnership Program (WPP) report, Sharing Smart Solutions in Water summarizes the achievements and impact of WPP’s Phase I (2009 – 2012). The report showcases the Program’s results across six regions, as well as its global impact on knowledge and innovation. It also demonstrates how the WPP has strengthened the quality of World Bank projects and shaped policy dialogue in areas calling for immediate action, such as climate change, energy and food security, and urban water management. The WPP continues to be a critical tool for supporting World Bank efforts to reduce poverty, thanks to the continuous support of the governments of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. Acknowledging the impact of the WPP, the donors have committed to a larger and bolder Phase II for the next four years.

The Routledge Handbook of the South China Sea presents a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of South China Sea issues. It evaluates the dynamics of the latest developments and identifies factors that contribute to dispute settlement and a cooperative management regime of one of the most important seas in the world – one which not only contains rich marine resources and distinctive biodiversity but is also a critical sea route for global trade and communications. The Handbook is divided into six parts, each representing a focused area of enquiry: • History and geostrategic landscape • Sovereignty and maritime entitlements • South China Sea policies of major claimants • Natural resources and environment • Cooperation and institutions • Challenges and prospects Written by world-renowned experts and scholars, with specialisms from geography to international law, the volume’s 25 chapters contribute interdisciplinary perspectives, reflecting the impact of how South China Sea policies are shaped by national governments and international organizations. As such, the Handbook provides an authoritative reference to South China Sea Studies, useful for students and scholars of international relations, history, maritime and Asian studies.