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Press
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UNESCAP News Services
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Date 28
April 2004
Press Release No: G/12/2004
Ministers give full support to UN’s work
in the region
SHANGHAI DECLARATION PROMOTES STRATEGIES
TO FIGHT POVERTY, IMPROVE HEALTH
SHANGHAI (United Nations Information Services)---The
historic sixtieth session of the United Nations Economic and
Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) ended today
with unanimous adoption of the Shanghai Declaration consisting
of a wide range of future-oriented strategies to strengthen
and sustain the progress of this vast region.
The Shanghai Declaration emphasizes UNESCAP’s
unique role as the most representative body for the Asian and
Pacific region and its mandate as the main general economic
and social development centre within the United Nations system
for the region, particularly in the three thematic areas of
poverty reduction, globalization and addressing emerging social
issues.
It calls for the highest priority to be given
to poverty reduction, and underscores the primacy of the multilateral
trading system as set out in the UN Millennium Development Declaration
as well the successful conclusion of the Doha negotiations.
Asia and Pacific ministers also adopted another
six resolutions covering a wide range of strategies to combat
the economic and social ills that threaten to cloud the otherwise
fast growing economic prospects of the region.
They are Regional call for action to enhance capacity
building in public health; Implementing ESCAP Technical Projects;
the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network;
the Centre for Alleviating Poverty through secondary Crops Development;
Revitalization of UNESCAP Pacific Operation Centre and Pacific
Urban Agenda.
“The Declaration also reaffirms that the
United Nations has a central role in promoting international
cooperation for development and in promoting policy coherence
on global development issues, including in the context of globalization
and interdependence,” said UNESCAP’s Executive Secretary
Mr Kim Hak-Su.
The Commission also saw the landmark UN treaty
–the Asian Highway Agreement— signed by 25 countries
with India and the Russian Federation signing the day after
the signing ceremony on the 26th, marking a new era in communications
and opening all sorts of opportunities for trade and tourism.
We like to call this “the new silk route”, and what
better place than Shanghai to have marked this new phase in
intergovernmental relations and cooperation among UNESCAP countries.
The Highway is a multi-pronged 140,000 kilometer highway corridor
connecting 32 countries and linking Europe to Asia.
Other new initiatives during the Session was the
inaugural sessions of Asia Business Forum and UNESCAP Business
Advisory Group to discuss the emerging trade and investment
opportunities in the region, and establish sustainable mechanisms
to engage the private sector at the institutional level in order
to enhance the impact of UNESCAP ‘s work in the region.
Over 250 business leaders participated in the two meetings.
Knowledge-based economy and disaster preparedness
was also another key area discussed. UNESCAP will try now to
help in capacity building and make sure the digital divide becomes
a “dividend.”
“The High Level Visionary Meeting Asia Pacific
2020 gave us some guidance for the coming challenges. There
were many issues discussed some of which touched on UNESCAP’s
agenda but one important item emerged: A Vision for the Future
must include poverty eradication, as this is the heart of all
discontent and inequality in the world,” said Mr Kim.
The Commission elected H.E. Mr. Zhaoxing, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of China as Chairman of the 60th Commission
Session. UNESCAP began life as the Economic Commission for Asia
and the Far East (ECAFE) in Shanghai in 1947.
The Session was attended by 55 members and associate
members of UNESCAP. The 60th session comprised of two segments:
The Senior Officials and the Ministerial segment.
For further information, please contact: Mr. David
Lazarus, Chief, United Nations Information Services, UNESCAP,
United Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200,
Thailand, Tel: (+66) 02 288 1864-9; Fax: (+66) 02 288 1052;
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org
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