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

Date 20 March 2006
Information Note: N/14/2006

UNESCAP’s Economic and Social Survey 2006 to be launched in Singapore and 15 cities

Prospects for 2006 indicate that GDP growth should maintain current momentum

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) –The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) will be launching its annual Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2006 in Singapore and 13 other cities in the region as well as at UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva, on Thursday, 30 March 2006.

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

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. Besides Singapore, the Survey is also being simultaneously launched on the same day in 13 other capitals in the region namely Beijing, Colombo, Dhaka, Islamabad, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Manila, Moscow, Seoul, Suva, Tokyo, Hanoi, and UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva with emphasis on their country’s economic and social profiles.

Some of the findings include:

=> Global economic growth slowed to 3.2 per cent in 2005.
=> 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 serves as the main document for the 6-12th April 62nd Commission Session in Jakarta, Indonesia, where UNESCAP members endorse the Commission’s work plan and priorities for the future.

UNESCAP Executive Secretary Under-Secretary-General Kim Hak-Su will lead a team of UNESCAP economists in presenting the report’s findings at the main launch in Singapore.

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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