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

Date 10 March 2006
Information Note: N/11/2006

Least developed countries meet to review programme of action in Bangkok

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services)---Some 60 representatives of the region's least developed countries (LDCs) will gather in Bangkok to conduct a mid-point review of their progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals since the adoption in 2001 of a results-oriented strategy tailored to the meet their special needs.

The Regional Review on the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010 is being co-organized by LDC Coordinating Unit of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mr. Bounnhang Vorachith, will open the meeting which will be held from 14 -15 March 2006 at the United Nations Conference Centre.

Participants will also consider how implementation of coherent regional support measures in the areas of financing for development, trade, migration, and technology transfer, environment, and security could enable these countries to attain their internationally agreed development goals by 2015. Known as the the Brussels Declaration and the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010, the strategy details measures to be taken by LDCs and their development partners to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. The 14 LDCs in the Asia-Pacific region are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Please find some more information from this website: http://www.unescap.org/LDCCU/Mid-termReview.asp

Note to Editors

You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the opening session on Tuesday, 14 March at 9:00 am and subsequent sessions at the United Nations Conference Centre, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok.

For further information, please contact:

David Lazarus, Chief
UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861/66/67
Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

* *** *