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Press
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UNESCAP News Services
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26 September 2003
Press Release No: N/21/2003
FIRST THAI NATIONAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN MAYORS AND
COUNCILLORS OPENS 2 OCTOBER
UN seeks more women in local government
BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services)
-- UNESCAP and the Ministry of Social Development and Human
Security of Thailand will hold the first Thai National Summit
of Women Mayors and Councillors at the United Nations Conference
Centre in Bangkok from 2-3 October 2003.
Approximately 150 locally-elected officials from
throughout the country as well as representatives from the Thai
government and United Nations officials are expected to attend.
Ms. Kanjana Silpa-archa, a prominent Member
of Parliament and consultant to the Minister of Social Development
and Human Security of Thailand, will open the Summit at 09:00
hrs on 2 October. Ms. Thelma Kay, Director of UNESCAP's
Emerging Social Issues Division, and Mr. Apai Chantanachulaka,
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and
Human Security, will also address the gathering.
The aim of the Summit is to promote the participation
and representation of women in local government. It is expected
to adopt a national action plan to promote participation and
representation of women in Thai local government.
According to UNESCAP, equality between women and
men in local governance creates a healthier and more just society.
"I am sure if women had an equal share in decision-making
in local government, our cities would be much cleaner, healthier
and friendlier places to live in," said Mr. Kim Hak-Su,
UNESCAP Executive Secretary.
The Thai National Summit of Women Mayors and Councillors
is the latest component of a UNESCAP initiative to implement
the multi-phase Advancement of Women in Urban Local Government
project begun in 1999. The initial phase of the project culminated
in the first-ever Asia-Pacific Summit of Women Mayors and Councillors,
which was held in Phitsanulok, Thailand in June 2001. It produced
the Phitsanulok Declaration which called for a variety of measures
to advance the participation of women in local government. In
the second phase of the project, UNESCAP has been assisting
selected countries in implementing country-level activities.
Earlier this year national summits were held in the Philippines,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. David Lazarus, Chief
United Nations Information Services Bangkok
Tel: (+662) 288-1866-69; Fax: (+662) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org
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