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

Date 11 April 2007
Press Release No. N/17/2007

UN’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SURVEY
FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 2007
TO BE LAUNCHED ON 18 APRIL

Special chapter estimates economic cost of gender discrimination
up to US$80 billion per year

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) – What will drive growth in the Asia-Pacific region if the US economy slows down in 2007? Ten years after the Asian financial crisis, is the region once again becoming more vulnerable to shocks? Has the region learnt to live with high oil prices? What kinds of opportunities and challenges does China present to trading nations in Asia and the Pacific? How do Central Asian countries cope with the appreciation of their currencies in the face of rising oil prices?

These are some of the questions answered in the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007, which will be launched on 18 April in major cities throughout the region and elsewhere, including Almaty, Bangkok, Beijing, Canberra, Colombo, Dhaka, Geneva, Hanoi, Islamabad, Jakarta, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Moscow, New Delhi, New York, Seoul, Singapore, Suva, Tbilisi, and Tokyo.

The Survey, UNESCAP’s flagship publication, looks at the most critical issues, challenges, and risks in the Asia-Pacific region in the months ahead.

One of the highlights of this year’s report, entitled “Surging Ahead in Uncertain Times,” is a special chapter that addresses the economic cost of gender discrimination. In the report UNESCAP estimates financial losses of US$42-47 billion due to restrictions on women’s access to employment opportunities, and a further US$16-30 billion a year because of gender gaps in education in the region.

The Survey is one of the main documents prepared for UNESCAP’s annual Commission Session which will be held this year from 17 to 23 May in Almaty, Kazakhstan. During the Session UNESCAP members endorse the Commission’s work plan and priorities for the future.

Note to Editors: Your or your representatives are invited to attend the Bangkok launch of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007 at 14:00, 18 April 2007, Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, Maneeya Centre, Bangkok. The Survey will be presented by UNESCAP Deputy Executive Secretary Shigeru Mochida, who will be joined by UNESCAP officials Raj Kumar, Thelma Kay, and Hiren Sarkar.

For further information, please contact:
Ms. Thawadi Pachariyangkun, Information Officer
UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org