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Press release | For use by media - not an official record. | |
| 1 June 2000 | Snapshot No.S/06/00 BS/07/00 | |
| ESCAP Snapshots are a series of stories on the Commission Session | 
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REFORM GOVERNANCE TO ERADICATE POVERTY BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) --- A number of countries in the Asian and Pacific region have legislated far-reaching reforms relating to good governance through devolution of authority and responsibility. The need for good governance is a prerequisite to successful rural poverty alleviation policy. Decentralization of authority and responsibility is a key factor in good governance. Good governance and the empowerment of the rural poor through decentralization in poverty alleviation actions will be discussed at the 56th annual Commission session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to be held from 1 to 7 June 2000. The recent Asian financial crisis provided these countries with the impetus to strengthen local governments in order to sustain and raise the quality of economic growth. A recent study has argued that the persistence of poverty in most countries of the region has its origins in problems of governance rather than in an inadequacy of resources. The challenge for good governance in many countries is to ensure the effective implementation of the reforms already initiated. However, legislation on decentralization policy alone cannot empower people because of limitations in reaching the poor households. Therefore, a social mobilization programme must be included in the decentralization policy. | ||
For more information, please contact United Nations Information Services (UNIS) United Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Ave. Bangkok 10200, Thailand. Tel: (66-2) 288-1866-9 Fax: (66-2) 288-1052 E-Mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org | ||