ESCAP and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) are jointly organizing the Twelfth Session of the Consultative Meeting of Heads of Subregional Organizations on 12 March 2008.  The overall theme of the meeting is Promoting Asia-Pacific Linkages through Regional Cooperation.

There are two sessions planned under this meeting. The morning session will be devoted to a panel discussion on "Sharing Dividends of Asian High Growth through Regional Cooperation and Integration". The afternoon session will be a Joint Session of Executive Heads of Subregional Organizations and the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations/Executive Secretary of ESCAP with Pacific Leaders. The Joint Session will be devoted to discussing areas of collaboration to promote regional cooperation in areas such as food security, climate change, energy security and enhancing connectivity.

ESCAP will also organizing a Consultation Meeting of the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations/Executive Secretary of ESCAP with Pacific Leaders on 13 March 2008. The main purpose of this High-Level Consultation is for ESCAP Executive Secretary to meet with selected Pacific Leaders and opinion makers and hear their views onhow ESCAP could be of more assistance to Pacific island countries. This Consultation will take place in the morning.

In the afternoon of 13 March 2008, a stakeholders' roundtable consultation on Pacific Connectivity will take place. This will bring together public and private sector organizations to discuss ways of enhancing connectivity in the Pacific.

Press Release No. N/05/2008
Date: 5 March 2008

REPORT OF THE MEETING : ENGLISH, FRENCH