Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation and Integration Index Enhanced Framework, Analysis, and Applications

Abstract

Since 2017, the Asia–Pacific Regional Cooperation and Integration Index (ARCII) has been used for tracking progress in various dimensions of regional cooperation and integration (RCI). This report discusses how the enhanced ARCII framework incorporates two new dimensions (digital connectivity and environmental cooperation) and other methodological innovations to capture the increasingly complex nature of RCI. With these new features, the report explores the links between regional and global economic integration and sheds light on the application of the index to RCI analysis and policy strategies for Asia and Pacific economies.