John Karr

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) announce the winners of the fifth APEC App Challenge at the ministerial meeting in New Zealand. A joint initiative of The Asia Foundation, APEC Secretariat, and Google, this is the fifth App Challenge to spotlight talent and innovative software developers and designers from across the region. “This probl… Read more

While swift measures on border control taken by Pacific Island governments to contain the spread of Covid-19 spared the region a health crisis on the scale faced in other parts of the world, the social and economic implications of the pandemic have been catastrophic for the region’s fragile economies. Rising unemployment in the tourism and other se… Read more

In the past five years, new undersea cable projects and other internet infrastructure improvements have begun connecting Pacific internet users to faster and more accessible digital resources. At the same time, greater connectivity has also brought new cybersecurity challenges for civil society, the private sector, and government. With small popula… Read more

Covid-19 is an unprecedented public health crisis that has led to staggering losses in economic activity and jobs. The pandemic will accelerate the adoption of automation by firms and organizations across the region, according to a new policy brief prepared by the APEC Policy Support Unit with the support of The Asia Foundation, titled Covid-19, 4I… Read more

This conversation will examine how COVID-19 has hastened digitalization and technological innovation in labor markets, jeopardizing the livelihoods of many Asia-Pacific workers and increasing the need for dynamic, market-aligned upskilling and reskilling. Featuring John Karr, Senior Director, Technology Programs, The Asia Foundation Oliver Petzold,… Read more

The Asia Foundation has been supporting the annual APEC App Challenge since 2017. The 2019 APEC App Challenge  brought together 22 software developers and designers to design, build, and demo innovative mobile and web apps that have the potential to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses in APEC economies. From a statement by the APEC Secre… Read more

APEC economies boast some of the fastest-growing and most technologically innovative markets in the world. But though rich in culture, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit, the informal sectors of APEC economies have yet to fully capture the benefit of technology-driven trade. With support from the APEC Secretariat, Google and The Asia Foundati… Read more