Opening statement by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP at the combined session of Senior Officials Segment of the 58th Commission session
(Thursday, 16 May 2002)

Distinguished Representatives,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me much pleasure to welcome you all to the Senior Officials Segment of the 58th session of the Commission.

A little over a year ago, at the 57th session of the Commission, I had outlined my vision and plans for a revitalized ESCAP. I am pleased to report that the Intergovernmental Meeting to Review the Conference Structure of the Commission, including its thematic priorities and its subsidiary structure, which was held at Bangkok in late March this year, endorsed the secretariat's proposals to focus its work on three key thematic areas, namely: poverty reduction, managing globalization, and addressing emerging social issues. Under these proposals, three thematic Committees would be established along with eight supporting sectoral subcommittees. The report and recommendations of the Intergovernmental Meeting are before the Commission for its consideration and final decision under agenda item 5(a).

In addition to your consideration of emerging issues and developments at the regional level, you will have an opportunity over the next three days to consider, among others, such important items as revisions to the medium-term plan for the period 2002-2005 in light of the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Meeting which I have just referred to and the future programme orientation and focus of the secretariat's work, resource mobilization and the activities of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission (ACPR).

Distinguished representatives,

My colleagues in the secretariat and I look forward to benefiting from your views on the various issues before you.

Thank you.

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