Most development issues are multidimensional and require multisectoral and multiministerial responses (poverty, HIV/AIDS, gender, etc). With a growing trend towards mainstreaming key issues such as gender, ICT, and HIV/AIDS into the work of various ministries, we can influence change in sectors that are not readily accessible to other agencies. With its convening power, and access to a range of key ministries in both economic and social sectors, UNESCAP can work towards bringing the necessary partners together to forge integrated solutions to the challenges facing the region.

Within the framework of our defined strengths, UNESCAP’s technical cooperation functions focus on three areas:

• Policy advocacy and dialogue
  
  on global and regional commitments and critical emerging issues that need the urgent attention of its membership.
  
  
  
• Regional knowledge networking
  
  to enable its membership to exchange knowledge and experiences on good practices in a wide range of development areas as a basis for wider regional replication.
  
  
  
• Training, advisory services and other technical assistance
  
  aimed at strengthening the capabilities of its membership to formulate and implement effective economic and social development policies and programmes.