ESCAP News/Press Releases

Seminar Teaches Green Growth Policy for Asia and the Pacific

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:51:00 GMT

ESCAP and partner organizations are leading efforts to help the region?s policy makers achieve sustainable development through low-carbon and green-growth means. The first ?training of trainers? seminar was held from 22 to 27 June 2009, and introduced 25 participants from Cambodia and Kazakhstan to a range of policy tools developed by the ESCAP Green Growth Capacity Development Team along with the Regional Helpdesk on Sustainable Consumption and Production for Asia and the Pacific, the China Standard Certification Centre and support from KOICA.

Low-carbon development models can lead future economic growth in Asia-Pacific region

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:07:00 GMT

Development models emphasizing low carbon emissions, saving energy and greater investment in energy infrastructures are gaining acceptance around the Asia-Pacific region and may lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, according to a meeting co-organized by ESCAP.

UN Launches Remote Training on Information Communication Technology for Development

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:29:00 GMT

In its continuing efforts to promote the use of information and communication technology (ICT) as a tool of development through human capacity building, a United Nations training centre has launched an online training programme designed to provide policymakers with the necessary tools to effectively embrace new technologies.

Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network Enters into Force

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:53:00 GMT

Countries throughout Asia committed to coordinate the development and operation of international rail routes linking 28 countries, as the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network entered into force today. This momentous step forward for regional integration was marked with a ceremony at ESCAP ? featuring video messages from Ministers of Railways from the eight countries who have ratified the agreement.

Six Asian Countries Agree to Simplify Trade Procedures

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:25:00 GMT

The six Participating States of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) have successfully concluded negotiations on simplifying cross-border trade procedures to reduce costs and improve trade efficiency. The Framework Agreement on Trade Facilitation, concluded by Bangladesh, China, India, Republic of Korea, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Sri Lanka, aims to enhance efficient and competitive trade by broadening cooperation in trade facilitation.

Trans-Asian Railway Network Agreement Enters into Force on June 11

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:38:00 GMT

On 11 June, countries through out Asia will commit to coordinate the development and operation of international rail routes linking 28 countries through out the region, as the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network enters into force. A ceremony marking the occasion will be held at the ESCAP - beginning at 14:00, 11 June, at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok.

UN Helps the Afghan Government Develop Stronger Information Communications Technology

Fri, 29 May 2009 07:47:00 GMT

As part of the United Nations continuing effort to close the digital divide, a national ?training the trainers? programme will be held in Kabul, Afghanistan on 31 May to 3 June as a first step towards training decision makers in information communications technology (ICT). The training is the first in a series of ICT workshops based on the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders Programme ? an eight module training course designed by United Nations APCICT to give decision makers the necessary information to use ICT for development.

Small and Medium Size Businesses Call on Asia-Pacific Governments to Reduce Hidden Trade Barriers

Fri, 22 May 2009 09:03:00 GMT

Reducing the red tape and complex export procedures in trade should be a major priority for governments in attempts to revive the small and medium size enterprises (SME) that have been hard hit by the current global crisis. This was one of the major recommendations discussed in Beijing at a regional policy forum on trade facilitation and SMEs. The forum, which was held from 20-22 May, brought together governments, enterprises, and trade facilitation experts and practitioners to discuss how to help the SMEs in the Asia-Pacific region to deal with the current crisis.

Executive Secretary Appoints Nagesh Kumar as Chief of Macroeconomic Policy and Development Division

Mon, 11 May 2009 10:04:00 GMT

UN Under-Secretary-General Noeleen Heyzer, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations ESCAP, today announced the appointment of Mr. Nagesh Kumar of India, as Chief of the Macroeconomic Policy and Development Division. Mr. Kumar will serve as the chief economist for ESCAP.

UN proposes practical solutions for a trade-led economic recovery in the Asia-Pacific region

Thu, 07 May 2009 09:41:00 GMT

The current economic crisis provides an opportunity for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to re-evaluate their export markets and reposition themselves for the future, suggests a new UN publication. Navigating Out of the Crisis: A Trade-led Recovery ? A practical guide for trade policymakers in Asia and the Pacific provides policymakers with a number of trade and investment policy tools that can be used to counter the economic and social impacts of the crisis.

Current Crisis an Opportunity to Lay Long-term Foundations, Says UN Forum

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:31:00 GMT

The current global economic crisis provides a good opportunity to address some long term issues, a high-level panel on the economic crisis agreed in discussions today in Bangkok . The panel was part of ESCAP annual meeting. It was moderated by Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP. The speakers included her counterparts for Africa, Abdoulie Janneh, and for Europe , Jan Kubis. Also speaking was Kim Jong-hoon, Minister of Trade, Republic of Korea ; Ajay Chhibber, Director for Asia and the Pacific, UNDP; and Martin Khor, Executive Director, South Centre ? an intergovernmental organization of developing countries based in Geneva.

Annual Meeting of UN?s Asia-Pacific Arm Calls for Inclusive Region-Wide Response to Current Crises

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:25:00 GMT

In order for Asia Pacific to recover from the current economic crisis, food-fuel volatility, as well as climate change, region-wide development policies must be embraced that are inclusive, create social protection and have long-term sustainability. This was the key message to come out of the annual session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific?s (ESCAP), the ministerial segment of which was opened this morning in Bangkok by the Prime Minister of Thailand, Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Regional Cooperation Key for Poor and Vulnerable Countries to Deal with Current Crises, says UN Forum

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:44:00 GMT

Regional cooperation is absolutely essential for the poorest and most vulnerable countries in Asia and the Pacific in their response to the triple threat of food-fuel volatility, the economic crisis and climate change. This was the key message coming out of the special high-level discussion on the impacts of the triple crises on the least developed countries (LDCs), land-locked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS). The event in Bangkok today was part of the annual session of the United Nations ESCAP.

UN Report Says Food Crisis Must Be Addressed As Part of Response to Economic Crisis

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Any recovery from the current economic crisis will be incomplete if the related food crisis is not addressed, says a new UN study. The report, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Asia and the Pacific, was launched today by ESCAP. It says that for 583 million people across Asia and the Pacific, the financial crisis has become a food crisis. While food prices have fallen from last year?s spike they remain high. Rising unemployment and falling incomes are putting additional pressure on the poor and vulnerable. More worrying still is that, once the global economy recovers, the pressures that drove up food prices last year will return.

UN Calls for Greater Cooperation among Asia-Pacific Countries amid Current Crises

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:32:00 GMT

As countries in Asia and the Pacific grapple with the triple threat that includes an economic crisis, continued food-fuel insecurity and climate change, there is a greater need for regional cooperation in dealing with these challenges, says a senior UN official. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, made the call at the opening today of ESCAP's annual Commission session in Bangkok.

New UN Study Examines Food Crisis in Asia-Pacific and Its Relation to Economic Stability

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:47:00 GMT

With the world focusing on the current economic crisis, an intricately related and equally critical threat is falling into the background ? the food crisis, an issue that must be addressed while dealing with the economic recovery. The impact of food insecurity on the region and how to deal with it is the focus of a new UN study entitled Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Asia and the Pacific. The study is produced by ESCAP and will be the focus of a ministerial round table on Monday, 27 April, during ESCAP?s annual Commission Session.

Asia-Pacific Countries Gather to Discuss Food Security and Economic Crisis

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:09:00 GMT

Despite its impressive economic development, the Asia-Pacific region remains home to 62 per cent of the world?s undernourished people. This challenge has been compounded by the current global economic crisis, and by climate change. Ensuring sustainable agriculture and dealing with the triple threat of food-fuel, economic and climate change crises will be the focus of discussions when countries from across the region gather this week for the annual high-level meeting of ESCAP ? the regional arm of the United Nations. The 65th Commission session of ESCAP will take place at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok from 23 to 29 of April. The annual gathering provides a unique opportunity for Asia-Pacific countries to come together and discuss their collective challenges

Asia-Pacific?s Population Growth Falls; One of Lowest in World?s Developing Regions

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:23:00 GMT

With fewer children being born and people living longer, the population of the Asia-Pacific region is steadily growing older ? so much so, that since 2000, the region?s annual population growth has fallen to 1.1 per cent ? the lowest rate among the world?s developing regions. This finding is one of many contained in the Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific 2008, released today by ESCAP. The wide-ranging Yearbook is the region?s leading compilation of statistical data which provides a detailed picture of the major economic, social and environmental trends over the past two decades.

UN?s Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific Analyses Threat of Triple Crises to the Region

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:30:00 GMT

While most governments are focused on dealing with the worst economic crisis in many decades, two other longer term crises should not be forgotten. Food-fuel price volatility and climate change are converging with the present economic crisis to create what is now being referred to as the triple threat. With almost two thirds of the world?s poor and half of its natural disasters, Asia and the Pacific is at the epicentre of the triple crises. This message comes from the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2009, the flagship publication of ESCAP. Entitled "Addressing Triple Threats to Development,? the report is released today in over 20 cities across the region and in New York and Geneva.

Asia-Pacific Countries Set Out Course of Action for Disaster Management

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:10:00 GMT

Countries in Asia and the Pacific have agreed to take a series of measures to improve their cooperation in sharing information and experiences in disaster risk reduction ? a key issue to be tackled in this most disaster-prone region in the world. This was one of the main outcomes of the first meeting of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CDRR) which was established by the 62 member governments of ESCAP last year. The three-day meeting, which ended today in Bangkok, brought together more than 200 delegates from governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.