|
Press
Release..............................
UNESCAP News Services
|
2 September
2003
Press Release No: N/18/2003
Inaugural session of the Committee on Emerging
Social Issues
to focus on vulnerable groups
Bangkok (United Nations Information Services)
--- Vulnerable groups - including women, youth, people with
disabilities, older persons, migrants and people living with
HIV/AIDS - will be the primary focus of the first session of
the Committee on Emerging Social Issues, to be held from 4-6
September at Bangkok, United Nations Conference Centre.
Among the participants of note are Senator Eita
Yashiro from Japan, a wheelchair user and prominent disability
rights activist; Naila Kabeer, a distinguished social economist
from Bangladesh; and J.V.R. Prasada Rao, Permanent Secretary
of the Department of Health, Government of India.
H.E. Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Vice Minister of Social
Development and Human Security, Government of Thailand will
inaugurate the session on Thursday, 4 September.
Representatives from over 16 countries and areas
in the region are expected to attend the three-day meeting.
It will be held back-to-back with the fifty-ninth session (Phase
II) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
Population and development, empowerment of persons
with disabilities, and gender and development are among the
issues on the agenda. A range of health and development issues
will also be discussed, including tackling HIV/AIDS as a development
challenge and the public health lessons drawn from SARS.
According to UNESCAP, the Asian and Pacific region
faces new and continuing challenges from global and regional
development trends that have a deep impact on individuals, families
and communities. Many in the region face barriers to equal participation
and full enjoyment of the right to development because of gender,
age, disability, income or other factors.
As one of the new features of the revitalized
UNESCAP conference structure, the Committee will assist countries
in the region in implementing effective policies and strategies
to promote the participation of all social groups and the overall
improvement of the quality of life.
It will review and analyze major development trends,
in order to better anticipate and identify emerging social challenges
affecting the region.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Your or your representatives are cordially invited to attend
the opening session on 4 September from 9.00 to 12.00. Exclusive
interviews with the keynote speakers can be arranged upon request
through Ms. Wanphen Sreshthaputra-Korotki, telephone 01 824-3825
or 02 288-1586.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. David Lazarus
Chief, United Nations Information Services, Bangkok
Tel: (+662) 288-1234; Fax: (+662) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org
* *** *
