This latest issue of the Pacific Economic Monitor highlights the gains of Pacific developing member countries (Pacific DMCs) and the challenges that the Pacific DMCs continue to face including the impacts of climate change. The Pacific is among those parts of the world most vulnerable to weather-related disasters. To illustrate, 5 of the top 15 countries with the highest risk, and 10 of the top 30 facing the largest potential economic losses from disasters, are in the subregion. With climate change bringing additional risks from global sea level rise---and potentially heightening vulnerability to more intense, frequent, and prolonged extreme weather events---Pacific economies are stepping up adaptation efforts to brace for future adverse impacts. These include climate-proofing vital infrastructure assets, strengthening disaster risk management, and expanding social safety nets to build resilience to disasters. Further, a number of Pacific economies are promoting green urban development to move toward more sustainable green cities. Careful monitoring and planning will also be required to manage important income flows, including fishing license fees and tourism-related revenues, amid climate-related volatilities and to maintain adequate fiscal buffers for disaster response.

This issue of the Pacific Economic Monitor discusses current and critical policy issues confronting ADB's Pacific developing member countries. The theme of the policy briefs in this issue is niche market development.

To help overcome remoteness, Pacific economies are looking to improve economic integration not only through ICT and transport network investments, but also by promoting greater competition and private investment. Enhancing connectivity is crucial to the Pacific and its people, who constantly contend with the challenges of geographic isolation and remoteness. Physical connectivity through air and maritime links brings people, goods, and services to and from the Pacific while digital connectivity through information and communication technology (ICT) integrates the region with the rest of the world. This section tackles Pacific developing member countries' efforts to enhance connectivity by expanding internet and other ICT connections, improving and maintaining transport networks, and strengthening investment facilitation. Ultimately, the goal of connectivity is to link Pacific peoples with each other, and enable them to access goods and important social services, as well as economic opportunities, locally and globally.

This publication provides an update on developments in Pacific economies, explores topical policy issues in the region over the years, and presents global forecasts for 2019. It includes an outline of the economic setting, as well as country economic issues and specific policy briefs for 14 Pacific economies. This includes analysis of critical development challenges including connectivity, climate change and disaster resilience, tourism, fisheries, and public sector management. The December 2018 issue also focuses on debt sustainability amid clear financing needs to help address remaining infrastructure and services gaps in the Pacific.

This publication provides an update of developments in Pacific economies and explores topical policy issues to date. The 10th edition features policy briefs focusing on the effects of climate change, impacts of natural hazards, income and purchasing power, service delivery, economic empowerment of women, and labor markets in the region.

This edition of the Pacific Economic Monitor discusses the outlook for 2021 and key issues for recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, including vaccine procurement and distribution.

"Developing EAP grew slightly faster than anticipated in 2017. The growth ofregional GDP excluding China is forecast to accelerate in 2018, while China's GDP growth is expected to moderate as the economy keeps rebalancing. Major downside risks include volatility associated with faster than expected' monetary policy tightening in advanced economies and rising threat of trade restrictions. Developing EAP countries would need to get ready to respond to increasing interest rates and find ways to raise potential growth in the medium run. Specifically, amid the rising risk of protectionism and changes in the global manufacturing landscape, countries should continue to enhance trade facilitation and integration, increase the effectiveness of schools and education systems and upgrade capabilities to ensure that workers and managers have necessary skills. To provide economic security to the population, policies should focus on strengthening social assistance and insurance programs and increasing resilience to systemic shocks."