This publication contains a series of papers that were presented at the Ad hoc Expert Group Meeting on Policies and Strategies in Sustainable Development of Land and Mineral Resources in the Asia and Pacific Region from 24 to 26 November 1999 at Bangkok, Thailand. The papers highlight strategic policy re-orientation related to foreign direct investment (FDI) in the mining sector and review the current policy initiatives and strategies in development of land and mineral resources and future directions. It also focused on emerging issues such as decentralization related to mining and mineral resource development, environment management, social aspects and industry relationship with host communities and other stakeholders.

The publication also highlighted the activities undertaken by Geological Surveys and Mines Departments in 1998-1999 on current mineral resources development activities, including new emerging roles of Geological Surveys to the society, status of geological mapping and mineral exploration programmes, statistics on mineral production and imports/exports and applications of GIS.

Countries covered in this publication are: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, The Lao People's Democratic Republic, The Republic of Korea and Viet Nam.