GENERAL
E/ESCAP/1135
4 February 1999
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Fifty-fifth session
22-28 April 1999
Bangkok

EMERGING ISSUES AND DEVELOPMENTS AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL: TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATIONS, TOURISM AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

(Item 6 (d) of the provisional agenda)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATIONS, TOURISM AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT ON ITS FIRST SESSION

Abbreviations

1. MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE COMMISSION OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION
1. Draft resolution
2. Recommendations for the consideration of the Commission
3. Major conclusions and decisions brought to the attention of the Commission
2. DELIBERATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE
1. New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific: review of implementation
2. Prospects for container shipping and port development
3. Commercialization and private sector involvement in ports: panel discussion
4. Inland water transport policy development for integration with international and domestic transport systems: presentation by experts
5. Strengthening of national capabilities and promotion of regional cooperation in sustainable tourism development
6. Programme planning and implementation
7. Other matters
8. Adoption of the report
3. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION
1. Opening, duration and organization of the session
2. Attendance
3. Election of officers
4. Agenda

Annex: List of documents before the committee at its first session

Abbreviations

I. MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE COMMISSION OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION

A. Draft resolution

1. The Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development, through the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission, recommends to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific the adoption of the following draft resolution:

Sustainable development of inland water transport in the Asian and Pacific region

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific,

Recalling its resolution 51/8 of 1 May 1995 on the implementation of the New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific, in which inland water transport is accorded high priority,

Bearing in mind the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21, as adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992, which provides general policy guidance and sets out requirements for improvement of the global environment,

Noting the Vienna Declaration of the Regional Conference on Transport and the Environment held by the Economic Commission for Europe at Vienna in 1997, in which countries are urged to promote a shift in passenger and freight traffic from roads to inland waterways and other more eco-efficient modes of transport,

Recognizing that inland water transport is an integral component of the overall transport system of the region and that it is one of the most advantageous transport modes, having the least impact on the environment, the lowest cost for domestic and international transport, enormous capacity reserves and the least energy consumption,

Recognizing also the potential of inland water transport for encouraging and supporting increased economic and social development in rural areas and alongside waterways,

Recognizing further the need for coordination in the use of water resources,

Noting with satisfaction the recommendations of the Regional Policy-level Meeting on Sustainable Development of Inland Water Transport, held at Nanjing, China, in September 1998,

1. Urges riverine members and associate members:

(a) To integrate inland water transport within intermodal transport systems to provide door-to-door services for the movement of domestic and international traffic, thereby responding to market demand for convenient and competitive service while optimizing the economic, financial, environmental and social benefits that can be derived from each mode in the entire transport chain;

(b) To undertake detailed examination of the technical and administrative issues related to bringing into operation the national waterways with the objective of facilitating international traffic;

(c) To accord appropriate priority to inland water transport in policy, planning and investment based on detailed analysis of economic, financial, social and environmental benefits, and to promote public awareness of such benefits, thereby encouraging a modal shift to inland water transport where appropriate;

(d) To enhance cooperation between national agencies responsible for inland water transport and water resources management for navigation purposes through coordinated national planning, and the development and implementation of policies;

(e) To increase the public sector resources allocated to inland water transport to reflect the relative priority of such transport and to encourage partnerships between the public and private sectors, to improve the development, management and operation of inland water transport;

(f) To encourage:

(i) The adoption of appropriate legislation and the creation of a regulatory environment for the protection and effective utilization of inland waterways;

(ii) Safety in navigation;

(iii) Facilitation of cargo transhipment between seagoing ships and inland vessels for onward distribution;

(iv) Recognition and strengthening of the role of country boats and small vessels operated by the informal sector in socio-economic development, with particular reference to poverty alleviation in rural areas;

(v) Utilization of dredged materials, wherever economically advantageous and socially and environmentally acceptable, to raise and revitalize farmland, strengthen bank protection and reclaim land;

(vi) Development of statistical information systems to support policy, management and operational decision-making;

(vii) Development of tourism along inland waterways;

(g) To establish or strengthen appropriate centres and institutional capacity to undertake studies and research to identify physical and institutional bottlenecks that are hindering the efficient development and operation of inland water transport, and to promote human resources development for addressing those deficiencies;

2. Requests the Executive Secretary:

(a) To undertake studies to identify the domestic and international inland waterways of regional importance and integrate them within the Asian Highway and Trans-Asian Railway to form an integrated Asian transport network, taking due account of the technical and administrative issues connected with bringing into operation the national waterways for international traffic and the existing bilateral and multilateral agreements between the concerned national governments;

(b) To assist riverine members and associate members in formulating policies and strategies to foster the development of inland water transport and its integration with other transport modes and to encourage a modal shift of cargoes to inland water transport where appropriate;

(c) To promote international, regional and subregional cooperation and coordination in the development and improvement of inland waterways for domestic and international transport, and to support harmonization of procedures and requirements, as well as facilitation measures, for efficient international movement through the development of model legislation, rules and regulations which may be used by members and associate members;

(d) To promote the technological advancement of the inland water transport sector through the provision of technical assistance;

(e) To assist in increasing the awareness of policy makers and the public of the economic, social and environmental advantages of inland water transport, through the preparation and publication of informative and authentic materials for wide dissemination in the region;

(f) To promote human resources development in the inland water transport sector and experience-sharing through networking among riverine members and associate members within the ESCAP region and also with countries outside the region;

(g) To organize, in close collaboration with the public and the private sectors, an international conference-cum-exhibition on inland water transport, in conjunction with the third session of the Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development, to be held in 2000;

(h) To report to the Commission every two years starting from 2001 on the implementation of the present resolution.

3. Requests donor governments and agencies to support projects which promote the integration of inland water transport within intermodal transport systems and its integration into comprehensive planning for water resources management.

B. Recommendations for the consideration of the Commission

2. The Committee recommended that the secretariat resume publication of the biennial review of developments in transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure. In order to assist the secretariat in preparing the publication, the Committee urged members and associate members to prepare country reports on transport policy and planning and to continue to prepare or update where appropriate their infrastructure reports.

3. Support was expressed for convening a ministerial conference on infrastructure in 2001 to undertake the activities mentioned in paragraph 34 of the present report. It was noted that careful consideration would need to be given to the issues to be addressed by the ministers.

4. In view of the Asian economic crisis, the Committee requested the secretariat to undertake an update of the study on the Maritime Policy Planning Model in order to estimate the medium- and long-term requirements for container shipping and port development in the region.

5. The Committee requested the secretariat to take an early initiative to establish a consultative mechanism to bring together shipowners, ports and shippers to discuss matters of crucial concern and mutual interest. It also requested the secretariat to study modalities for the creation of an environment for improved dialogue between Asian shippers and shipping service providers.

6. The Committee endorsed the establishment of MARINET and urged members and associate members to participate in the exchange, sharing and regular updating of information in the maritime sector.

7. The Committee requested the secretariat to undertake a study and to initiate the establishment of a regional forum comprising governments, maritime training institutions and shipowning communities and other interested parties to better align projected employment demands for seafarers and training capacity.

8. The Committee requested the secretariat to assist members and associate members in promoting the effective integration of coastal shipping within intermodal transport systems and the Asian transport network.

9. The Committee stressed the need to strengthen further the secretariat's activities in the areas of freight forwarding and multimodal transport through the development and delivery of training materials.

10. The Committee requested the secretariat to build on the concrete proposals contained in document E/ESCAP/CTCTID/3 and assist in ensuring transparency in the privatization process and in the creation of positive public awareness, including approaches to dealing with port worker concerns.

11. The Committee requested the secretariat to undertake a comparative analysis of regional port charges and tariff structures, including an evaluation of price-setting mechanisms, and to prepare guidelines to assist countries in streamlining tariff-setting and which would cover the potential benefits of establishing independent national tariff-setting bodies. The Committee requested the secretariat to undertake a study of key indicators of port performance. It also requested that the work on tariffs be extended to include terminal handling charges and documentation charges levied by shipping lines.

12. The Committee endorsed the recommendations contained in document E/ESCAP/CTCTID/4 and requested the secretariat to put additional emphasis on inland water transport in its future programmes.

13. The Committee requested the secretariat to prepare guidelines for the formulation of national policies on the development of inland water transport and its integration within the overall transport system.

14. In view of the importance of inland water transport and its great potential for contributing further to economic and social development in the region, the Committee adopted a draft resolution on sustainable development of inland water transport in the Asian and Pacific region for submission, through ACPR, to the Commission at its fifty-fifth session.

15. The Committee stressed that tourism should be given high priority in the ESCAP programme and urged the secretariat to intensify its activities in that sector.

16. The Committee endorsed a plan of action, to be implemented in 1999-2005, for sustainable tourism development in the Asian and Pacific region.

17. The Committee requested the secretariat to undertake a study of policy issues relating to sustainable tourism development.

18. The Committee requested ESCAP to coordinate with other international organizations involved in tourism on extending full support for the implementation of the ESCAP plan of action. The Committee urged donor countries and agencies to provide financial support for implementing the plan.

19. The Committee requested the secretariat to support actively the activities of APETIT.

20. The Committee requested the secretariat to strengthen activities to promote tourism in the Greater Mekong subregion. It also requested the secretariat to provide support for the promotion of tourism in the members of BIMST-EC.

21. The Committee recognized the urgent need to address the critical social issues of Aids in relation to transport and tourism, and urged the secretariat to collaborate with UNAIDS in formulating and implementing responsive programmes.

22. In view of the resource constraints, the Committee reiterated that cooperation with other United Nations bodies, particularly UNDP, as well as governmental, intergovernmental and national and regional non-governmental organizations should be further increased. The Committee recommended that member countries should pursue the matter at an appropriate forum of those organizations in the future.

C. Major conclusions and decisions brought to the attention of the Commission

23. The Committee expressed satisfaction with the successful implementation of the pilot projects on participatory planning of rural infrastructure in the Lao People's Democratic Republic and on integration of non-motorized transport into the urban transport systems of Dhaka. The secretariat was requested to explore the possibility of undertaking similar pilot projects in other countries.

24. It was noted that an important mission of governments was to ensure that, within a regime of prudent fiscal and monetary management, available resources were used to provide infrastructure services and technologies in support of economic growth and social development.

25. The Committee strongly supported the conceptual basis of AIDA. It recognized, however, that in the current economic climate it was difficult to obtain funding support from the private sector for bringing it into operation. It was recommended that the matter be considered at the second session of the Committee. Under the circumstances, the Committee requested the secretariat to investigate ways to provide services with the support of the ECE BOT Expert Group.

II. DELIBERATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE

A. New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific: review of implementation

(Item 4 of the agenda)

26. The Committee had before it document E/ESCAP/CTCTID/1 and Corr.1 and information paper CTCTID/INF.2. It recognized that developing the transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure capacity of countries was of crucial importance in advancing socio-economic development in the region.

27. It noted with satisfaction the considerable progress that had been made in the implementation of the regional action programme under the Plan, and urged the secretariat to continue to focus on high priority activities. The Committee expressed appreciation of the prioritization exercise that had been undertaken by the members and associate members of ESCAP and of the assistance given to the secretariat, and noted that the exercise would spread to the other subprogramme areas of ESCAP. The Committee reiterated the importance of the ALTID project. It accorded high priority to the early implementation of the southern corridor study of the Trans-Asian Railway and requested the secretariat to convene the proposed expert group meeting at the earliest possible date. It noted with interest the high priority projects identified by Turkey out of the 64 activities in the regional action programme. As that information had not been reflected in document E/ESCAP/CTCTID/1, the Committee requested the secretariat to include the information in future documentation on the regional action programme.

28. The Committee noted that the first session of the Project Working Group on Transport and Border Crossing of SPECA had been held in Almaty on 21 and 22 October 1998. That joint initiative of ECE and ESCAP would lead to positive results for the concerned economies. In that respect, the Russian Federation reiterated its interest in and readiness to contribute to the implementation of the programme.

29. The Committee stressed that within the regional action programme there should be linkage between the regional and the national level actions, as that would have a positive impact on economic development and intercountry cooperation. The delegation from India stated that it had constituted a national coordination committee to generate consensus on and review the progress made in various regional projects being undertaken by ESCAP. The Committee was assisted by technical working groups in which the Ministry of Commerce was responsible for the New Delhi Action Plan; the Ministry of Surface Transport, for the Asian Highway; the Ministry of Railways, for the Trans-Asian Railway; and the Department of Revenue, for promoting accession to the seven land transport facilitation conventions listed in Commission resolution 48/11 of 23 April 1992 on road and rail transport modes in relation to facilitation measures.

30. The Committee expressed satisfaction with the successful implementation of the pilot projects on participatory planning of rural infrastructure in the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the integration of non-motorized transport into the urban transport systems of Dhaka. The secretariat was requested to explore the possibility of undertaking similar pilot projects in other countries.

31. The Committee noted that the current financial crisis was having a significant impact on the infrastructure sector. It was noted that in confronting the current economic turmoil, the Asian economies affected by the crisis should continue to place emphasis and efforts on policy reform actions for more liberalized and open economies. It was also noted that an important mission of governments was to ensure that, within a regime of prudent fiscal and monetary management, available resources were used to provide infrastructure services and technologies in support of economic growth and social development. The delegation from China apprised the Committee of the measures which it had adopted to accelerate infrastructure development in order to stimulate domestic demand. In that respect, the Committee requested the secretariat to pursue the decision of the Commission at its fifty-fourth session that priority should be given to those activities within the New Delhi Action Plan that could play a significant role in the recovery from economic difficulties.

32. The Committee noted with appreciation the suggestion of AITD that since it was the poor who were particularly affected by inflation, unemployment and the collapse of safety net programmes, it was necessary for microeconomic policies to promote investment expenditure on low-cost, labour-intensive public works which were designed to create permanent assets that could quickly help the poor.

33. The Committee recommended that the secretariat resume publication of the biennial review of developments in transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure. To assist the secretariat in preparing the publication, the Committee urged members and associate members to prepare country reports on transport policy and planning, and to continue to prepare or update where appropriate their infrastructure reports. It was noted that placing the country reports on the Internet would provide a cost-effective means of widely disseminating the information.

34. Support was expressed for convening a ministerial conference on infrastructure in 2001 in lieu of the fourth session of the Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development. The Conference would (a) undertake a mid-term review of the New Delhi Action Plan, (b) evaluate the implementation of phase I (1997-2001) of the related regional action programme, and (c) approve phase II (2002-2006) of that programme. Views were also expressed that careful consideration would need to be given to the issues to be addressed by the ministers at such a conference.

35. The Committee strongly supported the conceptual basis of AIDA. However, it recognized that in the current economic climate it was difficult to obtain funding support from the private sector for putting it into operation. It was recommended that the matter be considered at the second session of the Committee. Under the circumstances, the Committee requested the secretariat to investigate ways of providing services with the support of the ECE BOT Expert Group.

36. The Committee noted that Romania had recently become a member of TRACECA.

37. The representatives of ICAO, UPU, ECO and AITD apprised the meeting of their recent activities. The Committee noted with satisfaction that ECO had launched a programme of action on the ECO Decade of Transport and Communications (1998-2007), which included projects and activities that were in line with the New Delhi Action Plan.

B. Prospects for container shipping and port development

(Item 5(a) of the agenda)

38. The Committee had before it document E/ESCAP/CTCTID/2. It held the view that the subject of maritime development was of great importance to the region and expressed appreciation of the findings of the secretariat's "Intraregional container shipping study", and in particular of the very useful forecasts of shipping and port capacity requirements. In view of the Asian economic crisis, the Committee requested the secretariat to undertake an update of the study on the Maritime Policy Planning Model to estimate the medium- and long-term requirements for container shipping and port development in the region.

39. The Committee recognized that information on regional and global policy trends, together with an understanding of policy tools, would assist governments and stakeholders in formulating national shipping policies. It therefore supported the project initiated by the secretariat on a framework for the development of shipping policies. It was noted that the brief description, contained in the document under consideration, of a Japanese international ship system could be expanded to provide greater clarity.

40. To promote mutual understanding of the policies and strategies being employed by the various stakeholders and of their potential impact on the maritime sector, the Committee requested the secretariat to take an early initiative to establish a consultative mechanism to bring together shipowners, ports and shippers to discuss matters of crucial concern and mutual interest. The Committee also requested the secretariat to study modalities for the creation of an environment for improved dialogue between Asian shippers and shipping service providers, taking into account existing coordinating mechanisms so as to avoid duplication.

41. The Committee endorsed the establishment of MARINET and urged members and associate members to participate in the exchange, sharing and regular updating of information in the maritime sector. It welcomed the development of model Web site software for distribution and use by regional ports and shipping companies to promote maritime development.

42. Several delegations informed the Committee of the significant investments being made in shipping and ports, as well as in seafarer training programmes, to respond to employment and technological changes. They noted the need to promote cooperation in the maritime training sector. The Committee requested the secretariat to undertake a study and to initiate the establishment of a regional forum comprising governments, maritime training institutions and shipowning communities and other interested parties to better align projected employment demand for seafarers and training capacity, keeping in view existing coordination and consultative mechanisms to avoid duplication.

43. The Committee requested the secretariat to assist members and associate members in promoting the effective integration of coastal shipping within intermodal transport systems and the Asian transport network.

44. The Committee stressed the need to strengthen the secretariat's activities in the areas of freight forwarding and multimodal transport through the development and delivery of training materials.

45. The Committee noted with appreciation the benefits accruing to members and associate members through the increasingly close collaboration between ESCAP and two institutes, namely the Korea Maritime Institute and AITD.

C. Commercialization and private sector involvement in ports: panel discussion

(Item 5(b) of the agenda)

46. The Committee had before it document E/ESCAP/CTCTID/3. It held the view that the panel session on private sector involvement in ports, with presentations made by experts from India and Thailand representing the views of the public sector and an expert from P&O Ports, Australia, representing the views of the private sector, had provided an excellent introduction to its deliberations on the subject.

47. The Committee stressed the increasing importance of private sector involvement in the ports of the region, particularly in the light of the current economic crisis. Although various ports in the region were at different stages of commercialization and privatization, the need to create awareness of the potential benefits among all stakeholders and particularly labour still had to be addressed. The Committee requested the secretariat to build on the concrete proposals contained in the document and to provide specific guidance on ensuring transparency in privatization and the creation of positive public awareness, including approaches to dealing with port worker concerns.

48. The Committee requested the secretariat to undertake a comparative analysis of regional port charges and tariff structures, including an evaluation of price-setting mechanisms. It also asked the secretariat to prepare guidelines to assist countries in streamlining tariff-setting. The guidelines should cover the potential benefits of establishing independent national tariff-setting bodies. The Committee requested the secretariat to undertake a study of key indicators of port performance. It also requested that the work on tariffs be extended to include terminal handling charges and documentation charges levied by shipping lines. The Committee welcomed the offer of AITD to work with the secretariat and members and associate members in that process.

49. The Committee was informed of the privatization tool kit being prepared by the World Bank which would become available in 1999.

D. Inland water transport policy development for integration with international and domestic transport systems: presentation by experts

(Item 5(c) of the agenda)

50. The Committee had before it document E/ESCAP/CTCTID/4 and information paper CTCTID/INF.1. It welcomed the expert presentations made by the representatives of China and the Netherlands which greatly facilitated deliberations on the agenda item.

51. The Committee stressed the importance of inland water transport in the social and economic development of the region and its advantages, including low cost, the least pollution, energy efficiency, safety, the least land consumption and low investment requirements. Inland water transport played a significant role in providing access to remote rural areas and had great potential for servicing the development of tourism along waterways. The Committee endorsed the recommendations contained in the document and requested the secretariat to put additional emphasis on inland water transport in its future programmes.

52. The Committee took note of the information paper and that a number of national inland water transport centres had been or were to be established in the region. Under the prevailing economic circumstances, networking of national inland water transport centres would be an appropriate approach to sharing experience and promoting development.

53. The Committee requested the secretariat to prepare guidelines for the formulation of national policies on the development of inland water transport and its integration within overall transport systems. The delegation of Mongolia requested the secretariat to provide assistance in human resources development in inland water transport.

54. The Committee noted with interest that the ESCAP/IMO Regional Policy-level Seminar on the Safety of Coastal and Inland Navigation would be held at Bangkok in November 1998, with support from the Japan Transport Cooperation Association and financial assistance from the Nippon Foundation and IMO.

55. In view of the importance of inland water transport and its potential for contributing to economic and social development in the region, the Committee adopted a draft resolution on the sustainable development of inland water transport in the Asian and Pacific region for submission through ACPR to the Commission at its fifty-fifth session.

E. Strengthening of national capabilities and promotion of regional cooperation in sustainable tourism development

(Item 5(d) of the agenda)

56. The Committee had before it document E/ESCAP/CTCTID/5. It recognized the important role of tourism in the socio-economic development of Asian and Pacific countries. As tourism had become a significant source of foreign exchange for a number of countries, the Committee held the view that tourism could provide a means of weathering the current financial crisis. It also recognized that tourism could contribute to poverty alleviation and more balanced and equitable development in rural areas. The Committee urged members and associate members to take appropriate measures to minimize the negative impact of tourism on social development in the region. It stressed that tourism should be given high priority in the ESCAP programme and urged the secretariat to intensify its activities in that sector. Referring to the recommendation of the Commission at its fifty-fourth session to expand regular staff resources for tourism activities, the Committee reiterated the need to strengthen the Tourism Unit. It was pleased to note that the secretariat had decided to deploy one additional Professional post to the Tourism Unit.

57. The Committee endorsed a plan of action, to be implemented in 1999-2005, for sustainable tourism development in the Asian and Pacific region. It observed that the decisions and recommendations of the Intergovernmental Meeting on Tourism Development, held at Bangkok in December 1996, had been reflected adequately in the plan. The implementation of the plan of action could begin with its adoption by the Commission at its fifty-fifth session in April 1999. It requested the secretariat to undertake a study of policy issues on sustainable tourism development.

58. The Committee requested ESCAP to coordinate with other international organizations involved in tourism in extending full support towards the implementation of the ESCAP plan of action. The Committee urged donor countries and agencies to provide financial support for the implementation of the action plan.

59. The Committee held the view that the establishment of APETIT had been a significant achievement of ESCAP. It expressed appreciation of the coordinating role of ESCAP and requested the secretariat to support the activities of the Network.

60. The Committee requested the secretariat to strengthen activities to promote tourism in the Greater Mekong subregion. It also requested the secretariat to provide support for the promotion of tourism in BIMST-EC member countries. The Committee noted with appreciation the offer of the UNDP-Tumen Secretariat to work together with the secretariat on tourism development in the Tumen River area. It also welcomed the joint cooperation which was being developed between the World Tourism Organization and ESCAP in the implementation of the Silk Road project.

61. The Committee was pleased to note that many countries had benefited from the ESCAP seminars that had been held recently on facilitation of travel and on developing ecotourism in the Asian region. It observed that the recommendations of the two seminars could provide a useful basis for national and regional actions to facilitate travel and ecotourism development.

62. The Committee took note of the following initiatives to promote tourism: (a) promotional efforts to achieve the tourist arrival target (China); (b) preparation of sustainable tourism development plans for certain islands and beach resorts (India); (c) technical assistance in tourism for developing countries (Japan); (d) cooperative arrangements with neighbouring countries to promote tourism (Malaysia); (e) upgrading the profile of tourism in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Republic of Korea); (f) involvement of the private sector in the policy-making process (Singapore); (g) implementation of the tourism master plan (Sri Lanka); (h) promotion of tourism in the Greater Mekong subregion (Thailand); (i) environmental management of tourism (Turkey); and (j) promotion of tourism along the Silk Road (Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan).

63. The Committee noted with appreciation the efforts of the World Tourism Organization, PATA, IOTO and the UNDP Tumen Secretariat to promote sustainable tourism development. It expressed appreciation of the offer of AITD to cooperate in APETIT activities. The Committee was pleased to note that ESCAP continued to maintain excellent working relationships with the World Tourism Organization, UNEP, UNESCO, ADB, PATA, IOTO and other organizations involved in tourism. The Committee expressed appreciation to Japan for continuously extending financial assistance to tourism activities and to the Republic of Korea for financing tourism projects and providing a non-reimbursable loan expert in tourism.

F. Programme planning and implementation

(Item 6 of the agenda)

1. Implementation of the programme of work, 1998-1999, and proposed programme changes

64. The Committee had before it document E/ESCAP/CTCTID/6 and Corr.1. It expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in implementing the programme of work for the biennium 1998-1999 under the subprogramme on transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure development.

65. The Committee endorsed the following programme changes for the biennium: (a) deletion of one issue each in 1998 and 1999 of the ESCAP Tourism Newsletter; (b) deletion of one issue each in 1998 and 1999 of the Infrastructure Newsletter for Asia and the Pacific; (c) modification of item8-2-308 to read "Methodologies for minimizing the environmental damage caused by roadtransport"; (d) addition of a publication on strategy/guidelines for upgrading the Asian Highway routes; (e) modification of item 8-2-801 to read "ESCAP database on infrastructure and road safety in the Asian and Pacific region"; (f) modification of item 8-4-201 to read "Seminars/workshops on transport infrastructure development, facilitation, freight forwarding and multimodal transport"; and (g) addition of a study on implications of the financial crisis for the development of infrastructure in the region.

66. In view of the resource constraints, the Committee reiterated that cooperation with other United Nations bodies, particularly UNDP, as well as governmental, intergovernmental and national and regional non-governmental organizations should be further increased. It recommended that member countries should pursue the matter at an appropriate forum of those organizations in the future.

67. The Committee urged the secretariat to include qualitative and analytical information on the usefulness and impact of ESCAP activities in future documentation on the implementation of the work programme.

2. Review of the medium-term plan for the period 1998-2001 and the programme of work for the biennium 2000-2001

68. The Committee held the view that the proposed programme of work for the biennium 2000-2001 adequately covered the priority areas that needed to be addressed for the development of transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure in the region.

69. It endorsed the programme of work for the biennium 2000-2001, as contained in document E/ESCAP/CTCTID/7. Recognizing the need for prioritization of activities given the scarcity and declining level of resources, the Committee indicated areas which needed priority attention during the implementation of the work programme.

70. The Committee urged the secretariat to continue to pursue cooperation with other international organizations in its delivery of future programmes of work on the basis of their comparative advantages to avoid possible duplication among them.

G. Other matters

(Item 7 of the agenda)

71. The Committee noted with appreciation the presentation by the representative of the UNAIDS Asia-Pacific Intercountry Team on the rapidly deteriorating HIV/Aids situation in the region and its economic and social consequences. The Committee recognized the urgent need to address the critical social issues of Aids in relation to transport and tourism. It urged the secretariat to collaborate with UNAIDS in formulating and implementing responsive programmes.

72. The Committee welcomed the conclusions and recommendations of the Third Meeting of the RICAP Subcommittee on Infrastructure Development, held at Bangkok on 17 November 1998, which would contribute to the avoidance of duplication of activities of the different agencies.

73. The Committee expressed deep gratitude to the Governments of China, France, Germany, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea and to UNDP, ADB, KFW, Siemens AG, the Japan Transport Cooperation Association and the Nippon Foundation, for their generous support of activities in the field of transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure development. It urged donor countries, donor agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to provide the programme with continued financial and technical support.

H. Adoption of the report

(Item 8 of the agenda)

74. The Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development adopted the report on its first session on 20 November 1998.

III. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION

A. Opening, duration and organization of the session

75. The first session of the Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development was held at Bangkok from 18 to 20 November 1998. It was opened by HE Mr Suthep Thaugsuban, Minister of Transport and Communications of Thailand. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP delivered an introductory statement.

76. In welcoming the delegations, the Minister underscored the importance of transport and communications to national development and stated that Thailand continued to accord priority to that sector. To enhance the role of the private sector in development, Thailand had implemented policy reform which focused on deregulation and liberalization. An action plan framework supporting increased private sector participation in infrastructure projects had been approved.

77. The Minister recorded his government's appreciation of the contributions of ESCAP to enhancing regional cooperation in infrastructure development and tourism. He reaffirmed Thailand's willingness to cooperate with ESCAP in the implementation of the New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific. In addition, he noted that the financial crisis had given Thailand a window of opportunity to set in place robust policies to improve the efficiency and accessibility of existing infrastructure and services. In closing, the Minister reiterated Thailand's readiness to cooperate in strengthening intraregional and interregional transport and communications linkages to facilitate international trade and tourism.

78. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP welcomed all delegations and expressed gratitude to the Minister of Transport and Communications of Thailand for opening the session. Highlighting the major role played by adequate and efficient infrastructure and tourism in sustaining economic and social progress, he urged donors to give priority to the New Delhi Action Plan and thereby to assist countries in the region to improve their infrastructure at a pace commensurate with their needs. One of the important approaches to meeting future challenges was to strengthen regional cooperation in transport and communications.

79. The Executive Secretary expressed appreciation to all donor governments, intergovernmental organizations and international agencies, as well as to private sector companies, for their generous support of ESCAP programmes in transport and communications and tourism. He thanked the concerned United Nations agencies and specialized agencies, as well as intergovernmental organizations, for their active participation in the implementation of the New Delhi Action Plan.

B. Attendance

80. The first session of the Committee was attended by representatives of the following members and associate members of ESCAP: Australia, Bangladesh, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, France, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America and Uzbekistan.

81. Representatives of Czech Republic, Germany, Romania and South Africa attended as observers.

82. Representatives of the following United Nations bodies and specialized agencies were present: Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNDP Tumen Secretariat, United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Centre for Regional Development, International Civil Aviation Organization, Universal Postal Union and World Tourism Organization.

83. The following intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and other organizations attended as observers: Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, Association of South East Asian Nations, Economic Cooperation Organization, European Union, Pacific Asia Travel Association, International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, Asian Institute of Technology, Asian Institute of Transport Development, Dusit Thani College, Indian Ocean Tourism Organization Inc., Japan Transport Cooperation Association, Maritime Institute of Malaysia, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thai National Shippers' Council, Thai Shipowners Association, Unithai Group Co. Ltd. and World Development Federation.

C. Election of officers

84. The Meeting elected the following officers:

Chairperson: Mr R. Vasudevan (India)

Vice-Chairpersons: Mr Chaiyos Chaimankong (Thailand)

Mr Kathan Marimuttu (Sri Lanka)

Mr Fazllolah Maysami (Islamic Republic of Iran)

Mr Henry Saiyo Parakei (Papua New Guinea)

Rapporteur: Mr Hans de Jong (Netherlands).

85. Presentations related to commercialization and private sector involvement in ports and inland water transport policy development and its integration within international and domestic transport systems were also made.

D. Agenda

86. The Meeting adopted the following agenda:

1. Opening of the session.

2. Election of officers.

3. Adoption of the agenda.

4. New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific: review of implementation.

5. Major issues in transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure development:

(a) Prospects for container shipping and port development;

(b) Commercialization and private sector involvement in ports;

(c) Inland water transport policy development and its integration within international and domestic transport systems;

(d) Strengthening of national capabilities and promotion of regional cooperation in sustainable tourism development.

6. Programme planning and implementation:

(a) Implementation of the programme of work, 1998-1999, and proposed programme changes;

(b) Review of the medium-term plan for the period 1998-2001 and the programme of work for the biennium 2000-2001.

7. Other matters.

8. Adoption of the report.

Annex

LIST OF DOCUMENTS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE AT ITS FIRST SESSION