Workshop
on identifying emerging social issues in least developed countries
of Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, 31 October 2005
The workshop on
identifying emerging social issues in least developed countries
of Asia and the Pacific was held in Bangkok on 31 October
2005, immediately prior to the Second Session of the Committee
on Emerging Social Issues. The Workshop identified issues
in (a) international migration; (b) social integration of
vulnerable groups with a view to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals; and (c) progress towards gender equality
and social development and proposed practical recommendations
to address these challenges in the least developed countries.
The outcomes of the workshop formed an input to the Committee
on regional cooperation to address emerging social challenges.
Workshop
on Implementing Partnership for Development in Least Developed
Countries of Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, 29 June 2004
The
Unit in collaboration with the Poverty and Development Division,
organized the workshop on 29 June 2004, immediately prior
to the Subcommittee on Poverty Reduction Practices. The workshop
identified the necessary elements of effective partnerships
between governments, civil societies and the private sector,
such as policy environment, capacity-building, role of international
organizations and sources of funding. The outcomes of the
meeting formed an input to the first session the Subcommittee
on Poverty Reduction Practices to ensure that its recommendations
can be implemented in the least developed countries.
Expert Group Meeting on Least Developed Countries, Bangkok,
2003
The
meeting considered issues of governance, economic vulnerability
and trade related constraints faced by the least developed
countries in Asia and the Pacific region. Background papers
were prepared by ESCAP, UNCTAD, UNDP and the World Bank defining
these challenges of the least developed countries, identifying
the factors leading to these challenges and proposing policies
to address these factors. Each of the experts were requested
to lead discussions in one of the above topics and provide
substantive comments on the other two. The comments and suggestions
from the experts were (1) incorporated into the draft of the
special chapter of the Economic
and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2004,
and (2) used as a background document for the Mid-term Review
of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries,
expected to be conducted in 2004-2005.
