Date: June 2020

By: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)

In line with the UNESCAP Framework on Socio- Economic Response to COVID-19 and building upon UNESCAP (2020) The Impact and Policy Responses for COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific, COVID-19 and South Asia: National Strategies and Subregional Cooperation for Accelerating Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient Recovery presents critical insights on the socio- economic impacts of the pandemic in South Asia and actions needed. The paper contains four major sections: the initial conditions and preparedness of South Asian countries for handling a pandemic like COVID-19, including their SDG progress; the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis; the national strategies needed for an accelerated, inclusive and sustainable recovery; the potential role of subregional cooperation in handling the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies areas for stronger collaboration. The paper concludes with a few remarks on the key lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis and the way forward for South Asia.

The paper (in English) is attached below:

• COVID-19 and South Asia: National Strategies and Subregional Cooperation for Accelerating Inclusive, SUstainable and Resilient Recovery

• Report: Southeast Asia Rising from the Pandemic
• Vietnamese government accompanies enterprises in overcoming COVID-19 difficulties
• Promoting economic recovery and economic institutional reform after the COVID-19 pandemic: Recommendations for Vietnam
• Report: The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on businesses in Vietnam
• Report: Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Trade and Development – Transitioning to a new normal