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

Date 18 August 2004
Press Release No: G/17/2004

Model UN 2004 conference begins in Beijing

Young people urged to achieve MDG goals

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services)---While some 200 million Asia Pacific people came out of poverty in the late 1990s, there is growing evidence to suggest that “hardcore poor” forms a difficult target to reach, UNESCAP’s Executive Secretary Mr Kim Hak-Su told an audience of young people attending a Model UN conference in Beijing.

“As we develop more deeply a disturbing picture emerges reminding us that there is an enormous challenge ahead. The region as a whole, for example, produces more food than it needs yet millions of people go hungry and malnourished,” said Mr. Kim.

The Model UN 2004---where young people replicate UN debates-- is modeled on UNESCAP’s programme. It is being organized by the World Federation of UN Associations (WFUNA), hosted by UNA China and sponsored by UNESCAP. Some 22 countries from around the region are participating in Beijing August 18-21st.

Child and maternal mortality rate, lack of education and health problems such as HIV/AIDS are a “sad testimony” to a region’s failure to live up to its potential as the dynamic segment of the world economy, Mr Kim said.

Mr Kim in giving his keynote address urged participants to find solutions so that “we may move the Millennium Development Goals from the IDEAL to the REAL.”

“The root cause of the failure I believe lies in our inability to ensure that the fruits of economic growth reach those that need them most---the poor, children, women and the marginalized,” said Mr Kim.

“We are grateful to ESCAP for having sponsored this Model UN which is happening for the first time in WFUNA in Asia and Pacific,” Said Lady Rhyl Jansen, President of WFUNA.

“China is very committed to the MDG goals as they are a concrete plan for development and peace,” said Vice Foreign Minister, Zhang Yesui.

Mr Kim later presented and launched a UNESCAP- produced CD ---We Can Do It: A Toolbox for Change. The CD is based on some of the recommendations made at UNESCAP’S 60th Commission Session in Shanghai in April, and is aimed at a young audience. It is introduced by Asian pop star Thailand-based Ms. Tata Young.

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