Introduction: Sustainability and development in Asia and the Pacific: A kaleidoscope of issues

Abstract

The geographically defined area of Asia and the Pacific is quite large and according to the adopted definition, can span across three continents — Asia, America, and Australia, as well as include many island nations in the Pacific and Oceania. Depending on the context, e.g. demography, trade, finance, security, political recognition, or diplomatic ties, there are different lists of countries which belong to the broadly defined area of the Asia-Pacific. The total number of Asian-Pacific countries varies from the low 40s to the high 70s and, in addition to independent nation-states, can also include countries which are not fully recognized, countries dependent on others (PRF, 2016), internationally recognized dependent territories, dependencies, partially sovereign states, overseas collectivities, unincorporated organized, and unincorporated unorganized territories.