It presents a special chapter in Part I—this year on the role of Asia’s middle class in global and domestic economies—followed by statistical tables with short, non-technical commentaries on economic, financial, social, and environmental developments. In Part II, the first set of statistical tables and commentaries looks at the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and progress in the region toward achieving key targets. In Part III, the second set is grouped into seven themes providing a broader picture of economic, financial, social, and environmental developments.