|
Globalization, partnerships high on the agenda
ESCAP COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS HOW TO SUSTAIN ECONOMIC RECOVERY ON A FAIR BASIS
BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services)--Regional economic performance including trade
and financial flows and their contributions to the process of economic recovery will be the main focus
for discussion at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
56th annual session from 1 to 7 June 2000 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok
The theme topic for this year's session is: "Development through globalization and partnership in
the twenty-first century: an Asia-Pacific perspective for integrating developing countries and
economies in transition into the international trading system on a fair and equitable basis."
Ministers and senior officials from 60 member and associate member countries and territories of ESCAP
are expected to participate in this year's annual Commission session. ESCAP is the only region-wide
forum in the Asian and Pacific region which meets annually at the ministerial-level.
The Commission session will be divided into two segments: the Senior Officials' Meeting (1-3 June)
and the Ministerial Segment (5-7 June).
The Prime Minister of Thailand H.E. Mr. Chuan Leekpai will inaugurate the Ministerial
Segment on Monday, 5 June at 9:00 am at the United Nations Conference Centre.
A special feature of this year's session will be a panel discussion focusing on the core issue, namely the
integration of developing countries and economies in transition into the international trading system on
Tuesday, 6 June 2000. Renowned experts on the issue such as Professor Jagdish N. Bhagwati, Arthur
Lehman Professor of Economics, Columbia University; Professor Kym Anderson, Centre for
International Economic Studies, University of Adelaide, Australia, and Mr. Peter Tulloch, Director of
Trade and Development Division of WTO, Geneva are expected to speak.
The 2000 Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific, unveiled in Bangkok and other major
cities around the world on 22 May, will serve as the main document for discussion at the forth-coming session of the Commission.
Delegates at the 56th annual session of the Commission are expected to discuss implications of recent
economic and social developments in the region and suggest policy responses.
Other subjects on the agenda:
Environment and natural resources development, socio-economic measures to alleviate poverty in rural
and urban areas, transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure development, statistics and least
developed, landlocked and island developing countries.
Resolutions on vital issues and policy recommendations are expected to be adopted at the end of the
session on Wednesday,7 June .
EVENTS TO NOTE:
* The Senior Officials' Meeting will be opened by Mr. Adrianus Mooy, Under-Secretary-General of
the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP at 9:00 AM on Thursday, 1 June at the United
Nations Conference Centre (UNCC).
* The Ministerial Segment (5-7 June) will be opened by H.E. Mr. Chuan Leekpai, Prime Minister of
Thailand at 9:00 AM on Monday, 5 June at the ESCAP Hall of UNCC.
* The 1999 ESCAP Human Resources Development (HRD) Award Ceremony will be held on Monday,
5 June at 17:00 hrs. in the ESCAP Hall.
* There will be special exhibitions on the disabled, ESCAP's work in the region including the Human
Resources Development Award and the United Nations Secretary-General's visit to Thailand in
February 2000.
NOTE TO EDITORS: You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the opening
session of the Senior Officials' Meeting, the inauguration of the Ministerial Segment, the HRD
award ceremony as well as other sessions.
Registration for the Press will be at the Press Registration Counter on the ground floor of the United
Nations Conference Centre, starting at 8:00 AM on Thursday, 1 June onwards.
An end-of-session Press Conference, co-chaired by the Chairman of the 56th Session and the Executive
Secretary of ESCAP will be held on 7 June in the afternoon, immediately after the adoption of the
session's final report.
To help journalist navigate through the many issues discussed, UNIS will periodically disseminate a
series of Commission Snapshots.
| 