What are UNESCAP’s comparative advantages as an intergovernmental organization vis-à-vis other UN agencies?

They are:

• The scope of our “universality”, which no other UN agency can match in terms of regional geographical coverage;
• The extent of our “regional convening power". UNESCAP has access to the highest political levels of the diverse line ministries as well as the critical ministry of foreign affairs. It can bring together high-level officials from a range of economic and social sectors to discuss and formulate key policies affecting the Asia-Pacific region;
• The infrastructure and capacity to facilitate the adoption of regional approaches to address cross-boundary or multi-country issues;
• Regional networks in substantive areas that link policy to practice;
• Over 600 dedicated staff that come from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds, who can design integrated solutions to multidimensional development challenges such as poverty reduction. UNESCAP is by far the largest UN body in the Asian and Pacific region;
• A reputation as an impartial entity. This gives UNESCAP the credibility to serve as an honest broker.