Rationale

The Asian continent hosts some of the world’s most diverse economies, ranging from advanced digital hubs to least-developed countries. Strengthening connections across borders would enable more effective knowledge exchange, joint research, and regional policy cooperation essential for addressing contemporary challenges as well as enabling opportunities such as digital trade, digital and industrial policymaking.

This is the gap that the Asia-WCP Network seeks to address by fostering a cohesive platform through which the diverse voices of Asia can engage in collective knowledge production, law and policy dialogue, thereby contributing to more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic development across the region.

Project Aims and Methodology

  • Joint Research and Dialogue

    Facilitate comparative and policy-oriented research on Asia-specific trade issues to inform both regional and WTO policymaking.

  • Network Building

    Strengthen academic and policy linkages by connecting WCP chairholders, researchers, and government officials across Asia through virtual meetings and shared resources.

  • Capacity Building

    Promote awareness of WTO frameworks in Asian emerging economies via accessible online outreach and workshops.

  • Knowledge Dissemination

    Create a centralized digital repository of research outputs, case studies, and educational materials tailored to the trade and development challenges of Asian economies.

Project Objectives

Virtual Workshops

Online workshops with recordings and policy summaries publicly available.

Collaborative Research Outputs

Publish joint policy briefs and research papers discussing Asia’s perspectives on digital trade and sustainable development.

Long-Term Sustainability

Instill practice among Asian WTO Chairs to ensure continued collaboration and capacity development.