Press Release.............................. UNESCAP News Services

4 September 2003
Press Release No: L/27/2003

Fifty-ninth session (Phase II)
1-4 September 2003
Bangkok

CHAIRMAN'S CONCLUDING STATEMENT
FIFTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION

(Thursday, 4 September 2003)

Mr Executive Secretary
Excellencies,
Distinguished Representative,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have just concluded what I would term "intensive" deliberations at this second phase of the Fifty-ninth session of the Commission. It would not be possible or fair for me to even attempt to summarize the very rich and fruitful discussions that we had in the span of a brief statement. Let me instead highlight a few major issues raised in the session.

First of all, from the discussions on the theme topic of "Integrating economic and social concerns, especially HIV/AIDS, in meeting the needs of the region", there was a clear recognition of the need to tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic as a development challenge that continues to afflict many of our countries, including the productive segments of our societies. The message was underscored in the policy statements under agenda item 2 as well as in the Ministerial Roundtable on the theme topic. As policy makers in our respective Governments, it is incumbent upon us to instill awareness of the seriousness of this issue as we formulate national development plans and policies.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Another concern expressed by many delegations was the need to integrate the developing countries of Asia and the Pacific, in particular the least developed countries, into the international trading system and the guarded optimism that the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Meeting in Cancun would yield greater opportunities in that regard. We look to ESCAP's continued efforts in facilitating accession of non-members to the WTO.

A striking feature of this session was the emphasis on social issues. For some time now, I have felt that we have been overly preoccupied with economic issues -- at the expense of the many pressing issues confronting our region in the social arena. The very fact is that of the four resolutions adopted at the current session, three testify to the growing recognition of the importance of social issues. And these are:

- Regional Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action Towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific During the Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012;

- Strengthening Social Safety in the Asia-Pacific Region; and

- Regional Action in follow-up to the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS

The Commission's support of the concept of a rights-based approach to social development and social integration, particularly for vulnerable groups is welcome, along with the reaffirmation of the importance of mainstreaming gender into economic and social development programme and the call for investment in health as an essential development strategy.

The Commission endorsed the report of the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference, including the Plan of Action on Population and Poverty. That Plan gives guidelines for tackling poverty through programmes on reproductive health, ageing, migration and urbanization, among others.

The Commission also endorsed the report of the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, and the "Shanghai Implementation Strategy: Regional Implementation Strategy for the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002 and the Macao Plan of Action on Ageing for Asia and the Pacific 1999", which sets out actions for dealing with population ageing and empowering older persons.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It was also heartening to see the emphasis on the Millennium Development Goals as the United Nations' and the international community's response to the multifaceted challenges of globalization, whether these be in the context of bridging the digital divide, promoting transport and communications links, ensuring that development takes place in a sustainable manner, or attacking the root causes of poverty in our region.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to note that the Commission's decision on the theme topic of the sixtieth session: "Meeting the challenges in an era of globalization by strengthening regional development cooperation" is both timely and vital.

In closing, I should like to express my sincere appreciation to all who have assisted me in fulfilling my duties as Chairman, including the Vice-Chairpersons of the Committees of the Whole and the Working Group on Draft Resolutions. My deep gratitude also goes to all the distinguished delegates, who participated so actively in the deliberations, the Executive Secretary and all members of his staff, for the excellent documentation and high quality of the draft report we have just adopted. The Secretary of the Commission and his staff, who have so ably assisted me in discharging my duties.

I should also like to express my deep appreciation to all those who worked so hard behind the scenes, including the editorial, language and conference and general services staff, whose attention to detail and dedication to duty ensured the efficient servicing of this session.

My deepest gratitude also goes to the Government of Thailand for the generous hospitality shown to all delegates, which has contributed immensely to the success of the Fifty-ninth session.

For those delegates who have travelled from abroad, I wish you a safe journey back home and look forward to meeting you again at the commemorative sixtieth session next year in Shanghai -- which promises to be a grand event.

I hereby declare the Fifty-ninth session of the Commission closed.

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