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

Date 17 March 2006
Information Note: N/12/2006

UNESCAP’s Economic and Social Survey 2006 to be launched in Singapore

Prospects for 2006 indicate that GDP growth should maintain current momentum

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- UNESCAP’s Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2006 will be launched this year in Singapore on 30 March at 11 a.m. at the Conrad Hotel.

The theme of the 2006 Survey is ‘Energizing the global economy’ with a special chapter on the growing threat of regional unemployment and underemployment.

UNESCAP Executive Secretary Under-Secretary-General Kim Hak-Su will lead a team of UNESCAP economists in presenting the report’s findings to local and international journalists, private sector officials, and Government economists at the launch being co-organized by the Singapore Foreign Correspondents Association.

The Survey has been published annually by the Bangkok-based 62-member Commission which is the headquarters of the United Nations in Asia Pacific region.

Some of the findings include:

• Global economic growth slowed to 3.2 per cent in 2006.
• Growth rate in Asia Pacific developing countries decelerated moderately
• Softening of global trade and high and volatile oil prices are being blamed for the slowdown.
• Underemployment in the rural areas and unemployment remain worrisome –what’s to be done about it?

The Survey acts as the main document for the 6-12th April 62nd Commission Session in Jakarta, Indonesia, where UNESCAP members endorse the Commission’s workplan and priorities for the future.

Note to Editors

You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the launch of Survey 2006 on Thursday, 30 March at 11:00 am at the Conrad Hotel, Singapore. Followed by lunch.

For further information, please contact:

David Lazarus, Chief
UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861/62/66
Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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