The Innovation Imperative for Developing East Asia - World Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional Report

Jul 19, 2026

The World Bank East Asia and Pacific regional flagship series frames innovation as a practical imperative for sustaining development in a rapidly changing environment. Drawing on regional and global knowledge, it analyzes challenges facing East Asia and Pacific countries and highlights what works, what does not, and why. The series supports public debate, policy design, and implementation by development practitioners, converting obstacles into opportunities through evidence-informed insights and partner expertise.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages223

Reading Time9 h 22 min

Foreword

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Abbreviations

Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized The Innovation Imperative for Developing East Asia Xavier Cirera Andrew D. Mason Francesca de Nicola Smita Kuriakose Davide S. Mare Trang Thu Tran WORLD BANK EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC REGIONAL REPORT The Innovation Imperative for Developing East Asia WORLD BANK EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC REGIONAL REPORTS Known for their economic success and dynamism, countries in the East Asia and Pacific region must tackle an increasingly complex set of challenges to continue on a path of sustainable development. Learning from others within the region and beyond can help identify what works, what doesn’t, and why, in the search for practical solutions to these challenges. This regional flagship series presents analyses of issues relevant to the region, drawing on the global knowledge and experience of the World Bank and its partners. The series aims to inform public discussion, policy formulation, and development practitioners’ actions to turn challenges into opportunities. TITLES IN THE SERIES The Innovation Imperative for Developing East Asia A Resurgent East Asia: Navigating a Changing World Growing Smarter: Learning and Equitable Development in East Asia and Pacific Riding the Wave: An East Asian Miracle for the 21st Century Live Long and Prosper: Aging in East Asia and Pacific East Asia Pacific at Work: Employment, Enterprise, and Well-Being Toward Gender Equality in East Asia and the Pacific: A Companion to the World Development Report Putting Higher Education to Work: Skills and Research for Growth in East Asia All books in this series are available for free at [https://open knowledge.worldbank. org](https://open knowledge.worldbank. org)[ ](https://open knowledge.worldbank. org)[/handle/10986/2147.](/handle/10986/2147.) World Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional Report The Innovation Imperative for Developing East Asia Xavier Cirera Andrew D. Mason Francesca de Nicola Smita Kuriakose Davide S. Mare Trang Thu Tran © 2021 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; [Internet: www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) Some rights reserved 1 2 3 4 24 23 22 21 This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Rights and Permissions This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO license (CC BY 3.0 IGO) [http://](http://)[ ](http://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo. Under](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo. Under) the Creative Commons Attribution license, you are free to copy, distribute, transmit, and adapt this work, including for commercial purposes, under the following conditions: Attribution—Please cite the work as follows: Cirera, Xavier, Andrew D. Mason, Francesca de Nicola, Smita Kuriakose, Davide S. Mare, and Trang Thu Tran. 2021. The Innovation Imperative for Developing East Asia. World Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional Report. Washington, DC: World Bank. doi:10 . 1596/978-1-4648-1606-2 . License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO. Translations—If you create a translation of this work, please add th

FAQs

What is the focus of The Innovation Imperative for Developing East Asia?

It focuses on using innovation to address complex development challenges in the East Asia and Pacific region.

How does the series use knowledge to inform decisions?

It draws on regional and global experience to identify practical solutions, explaining what works, what does not, and why.

Who is the report intended to help?

Public discussion, policy makers, and development practitioners seeking to turn challenges into opportunities.

Jul 19, 2026

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