UNESCAP eNews Bulletin

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
www.unescap.org
October 2004

Journalism award honours outstanding reporting on emergencies, disasters
UNESCAP and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) jointly inaugurated the Annual Journalism Award for Outstanding Reporting on Emergencies and Disasters as part of this year’s International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. Among the winners was Ms. Onnucha Hutasingha (right) of the Bangkok Post, seen here receiving her award from UNESCAP Executive Secretary Mr. Kim Hak-Su with H.E. Dr. Bhokin Bhalakula, Thailand's Interior Minister, looking on. Ms. Onnucha was recognized for her coverage of how villagers in Phetchabun coped with their ordeal 18 months after flooding caused by torrential rains destroyed their village in 2001. Other winners included Jor Sor Roi Radio Station and Ms. Onuma Kasetpheutphol of the Ruam Duay Chuay Gan Radio Station. Certificates of recognition were also awarded Channel 11 Television, Kom Chad Leuk newspaper, and the Public Relations Office of Tak Province.
ADB joins UNESCAP, UNDP to produce second regional report card on MDGs
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced it will join UNESCAP and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to conduct the second phase of a major regional UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) study. Supporting the Achievement of the MDGs in Asia and the Pacific (Phase II) will be launched in September 2005 with the theme “Institutional change as a requirement for achieving the MDGs.” An agreement for the second phase of a regional MDG report card was signed by UNESCAP and UNDP earlier this year. The 5.4 million dollar project will also build national data/statistical capacity to monitor on-going progress, and prepare in-depth technical papers.
United Nations Day 2004 to celebrate International Year of Rice
The UN family in Bangkok will observe UN Day 2004 on 22 October with a special emphasis on the International Year of Rice. The event will begin with a flag raising ceremony at the UN Conference Centre and continue with a video message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan, an address by UNESCAP Executive Secretary Mr. Kim Hak-Su," a statement from the UN Association of Thailand (UNAT), and remarks from Thai Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop. Among other activities are the presentation of prizes for a UN essay writing contest sponsored by UNAT, musical performances, a “Rice Dance” performed by students, a series of exhibits, and refreshments with an emphasis on rice desserts.

Quartet of meetings set the stage for meeting on IC and Space Technology
UNESCAP held four meetings from 11-13 October to follow up regionally on the first phase of the World Summit on Information Society, prepare for the phase two in November 2005, and lead up to the First Session of the Subcommittee on Information, Communication and Space Technology, set for 13-15 October. From the 11-12th the Information, Communications and Space Technology Division organized sequential meetings to follow-up regionally on the First Phase and prepare for the Second Phase of WSIS, bring experts together to meet on Internet governance and financial mechanisms, convene the ninth meeting of the Regional Working Group on Satellite Communication Applications, and have experts consider open-source software for knowledge management. "I am fully confident that the four events will come up with concrete and practical recommendations in supporting our efforts to effectively bridge the digital divide and harness the potential of ICT and space technology for social and economic development and in achieving MDGs," said Mr. Kim Hak-Su, UNESCAP Executive Secretary.

 
Malaysia signs Asian Highway Agreement
Malaysia became the 27th signatory to the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network when Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar signed the Agreement in New York on 24 September. Since it was opened for signature in Shanghai, China last April during UNESCAP's 60th Commission Session, Myanmar and Sri Lanka have gone on to ratify the Agreement and Viet Nam has approved its signature. The Asian Highway, a project of UNESCAP's Transport and Tourism Division, is a 140,000 kilometre network of standardized roadways crisscrossing the Asian continent and reaching to Europe. UNESCAP officials estimate that the network is 83 per cent complete, with an additional $16 billion required to invest in highway upgrades and signage. Pictured left is a stretch of the AH2 north/south expressway in Malaysia.
 
UN Public Service Awards call for nominations
The UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs is calling for nominations for its Public Service Awards 2005. Established in 2000, the Awards recognize contributions made by public service organizations in enhancing the role, professionalism and visibility of the Public Service. In 2005 the Awards will be give in three categories: improving transparency, accountability and responsiveness in the Public Service, Improving the delivery of services, and e-Government. Information and online submission are available at UNPAN, United Nations Online Network in Public Administration and Finance.

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