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

Date 8 November 2005
Press Release No: N/60/2005

AVIAN INFLUENZA SUBJECT OF INAUGURAL ISSUE
OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC POLICY BRIEF

New publication to provide policy-oriented analysis of social-economic issues

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- UNESCAP has published the first issue of Socio-Economic Policy Brief, a new series of policy papers which focus on emerging socio-economic issues and provide concise policy-oriented analyses.

The first issue of Policy Brief deals with avian influenza, which has already affected the region with the incipient threat of a pandemic.

Among suggestions in Brief No. 1 is the setting up of an Asia-Pacific Health Emergency Fund and a regional stockpile of lifesaving medicines.

Socio-Economic Policy Brief, to be published on a need-driven basis, will analyze the nature of the issue, its impact on the Asia-Pacific region, and policy options available to UNESCAP members. The publication is coordinated by UNESCAP’s Poverty and Development Division.

Socio-Economic Policy Brief may be found on-line at: www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/se_brief/1.pdf.

For further information on Policy Brief No. 1, please contact:
Thelma Kay, Director
Emerging Social Issues Division
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1513, 1989
Fax: +(66-2) 288-1030
E-mail: kay.unescap@un.org

For media inquiries, please contact:
David Lazarus, Chief
UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861-66
Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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