COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ALONG the BELT and ROAD: Findings from Cambodia and Pakistan
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ALONG THE BELT AND ROAD: Findings from Cambodia and Pakistan SUMMARY REPORT The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia. Informed by six decades of experience and deep local expertise, our work across the region addresses five overarching goals—strengthen governance, empower women, expand economic opportunity, increase environmental resilience, and promote international cooperation. For more information on our work visit www.asiafoundation.org. © The Asia Foundation, May 2020 This report was funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and implemented by The Asia Foundation. The opinions expressed here are solely of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government. Cover image: Sihanoukville City, Cambodia by slyellow / Shutterstock.com Community Engagement Along the Belt and Road: Findings from Cambodia and Pakistan Summary Report | May 2020 Introduction In the context of a rising Asia, South-South Cooperation (SSC) is now a critical modality for achieving the SDGs. As much of Asia has achieved middle-income status, OECD-DAC donors are reducing their Official Development Assistance (ODA) while channeling more of their assistance through aid-for- trade or foreign policy-oriented modalities. As western/northern donors step back, China is filling the gap and quickly becoming one of the most important development actors in the region. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), deemed by one analyst to be the most important diplomatic initiative of the 21st century,1 is not only reshaping the geopolitical realities of contemporary development cooperation, but is also having an immediate impact on communities, environments, and local governments across South and Southeast Asia.
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