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Opening Statement
by Mr Kim Hak-Su
Executive Secretary of ESCAP

Chairman, Dr Cesar Virata
Mr Koji Fujimoto, Executive Director, JBIC
Dr Rajat Nag, Director General, ADB
Mr Noritada Morita, Chairman, ASF
Distinguished Members of the "Asian Wise Persons Group"
Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the second meeting of the "Asian Wise Persons Group" being held here in Singapore. You may recall that the first meeting of the "Asian Wise Persons Group" was held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok from 1 to 2 August 2001 under the sponsorship of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN/ESCAP), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Asian Strategy Forum (ASF).  We are pleased to note that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has joined us as a co-sponsor of this important endeavour.   I am confident that with strong support and commitment from ADB, our efforts will be further strengthened and will bring concrete results.

Excellencies, Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are witnessing an economic situation which is full of uncertainties.  While the economies of Asia and the Pacific are still trying to extricate themselves from the economic crisis of 1997, the economic slowdown in the United States of America and economic recession in Japan, are threatening the recovery process and creating a sense of economic uncertainty in the minds of the policy makers as well as businessmen.  The Asian economic crisis of 1997 and the persistence of absolute poverty, as well as the rapid pace of globalization, which has altered the economic equation among countries and regions, call for a new and innovative thinking on the development paradigm.  Because of the advent of the knowledge economy and the need for advanced technologies and skills in production processes, the development approach and strategies have become more sophisticated and complex. It is in this context that the importance of the "Asian Wise Persons Group" lies, and we look at the Group's wisdom and experience to guide us in our future work.  I am happy to inform this gathering that the ESCAP secretariat, following extensive consultations with members  and  associate  members  of  the  Commission,  has prepared a new programme of work focusing on poverty reduction, managing globalization and addressing emerging social issues.  Our member governments have guided us in designing a new intergovernmental conference structure, which will guide our activities in the coming years.

Excellencies, Distinguished Participants,

This meeting is expected to examine key themes and issues relating to social and economic disparities in Asia, in the context of globalization, and to assess their implications on policy formulation as they relate to Asia's future.  In particular, the "Wise Persons Group" is requested to examine the nature and implications of the widening socio-economic disparities in Asia and other related issues, such as income and employment, agro-industry rehabilitation, foreign direct investment and SMEs development, environment management, role of subregional  cooperation  and GMS,  and  associated  policy reforms, and to provide specific and concrete recommendations for the transformation of Asia.

In line with the theme of the Forum, "Reducing Disparities:  Rethinking Key Issues in Asian Development," I come to this meeting with great expectations.  I will listen intently to benefit from the Group's vision and philosophy for the region.    During the course of the meeting, I intend to interact with the members of the Group to seek their views on various socio-economic issues and their advice on future directions for the region.  I hope that this will enhance the long-term relationship between the Asian Wise Persons' Group and ESCAP and help identify critical issues and the means for addressing them.

Excellencies, Distinguished  Participants,

Before concluding, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to  the  Government  of  Japan  for  its  generous financial contribution to the meeting.  I also wish to express our gratitude to the Asian Wise Persons' Group for the valuable contributions that they will make at this meeting.

Finally, I wish to take this occasion to reiterate my strong desire to foster long-term partnerships with ADB and JBIC, the two largest development fund providers in Asia.  ESCAP, as the main regional arm of the United Nations representing over 50 per cent of the world’s population, is always ready to cooperate with our development partners in undertaking activities that will benefit countries in the region.  I firmly believe that together we can make significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Asia, with a new vision, a fresh approach and  a determined effort.

I wish you all success in your deliberations and I look forward to insightful and lively discussions and pragmatic recommendations.

Thank you.