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UNESCAP News Services
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Date 21 March 2007
Press Release No: N/15/2007
UNESCAP TO CELEBRATE 60TH ANNIVERSARY ON 28 MARCH
Special guests include HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen
Theme of celebration is “Building an Asia-Pacific Century”
BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) – The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) will commemorate its 60th anniversary on 28 March with a special programme of activities scheduled for the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok. The theme of the celebration is “Building an Asia-Pacific Century.”
“We have chosen ‘Building an Asia-Pacific Century’ as the theme for our celebration as a statement of our commitment to the future of this region,” says UNESCAP Executive Secretary Kim Hak-Su. “When we envision an ‘Asia-Pacific Century,’ we see continuing economic prosperity and a dramatic improvement in the quality of life of ordinary people.”
The 60th anniversary celebration will include a video message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, remarks from Thai Prime Minister H.E. General Surayud Chulanont, and a keynote address by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, followed by the presentation of UNESCAP’s first ever Award for Lifetime Achievement to Professor Amartya Sen who was awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economics for his contributions to welfare economics.
The anniversary programme includes “Reflections on ESCAP’s Life,” a specially-commissioned contemporary dance drama by the Dhamma Theatre West. The performance portrays changes in the region since 1947 when UNESCAP was founded. Mr. Kim will also present a copy of The ESCAP Anniversary Book, which describes ESCAP’s history over the past six decades, to Her Royal Highness, who will also inaugurate an exhibition on “ESCAP 60 Years.”
In addition to receiving the Award for Lifetime Achievement, on Professor Sen will also give a special lecture at 11:00 on 28 March, and hold a press conference on 29 March from 11:30-12:15, both at the UN Conference Centre.
UNESCAP was founded in Shanghai, China, in 1947 as the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE). In 1949 ECAFE moved its headquarters to Bangkok, Thailand. The name was changed to Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in 1974 to reflect both the economic and social aspects of development and the geographic location of its member countries.
“UNESCAP is proud to have contributed to the economic development and social progress of the region,” notes Mr. Kim. “When it was established 60 years ago, the UN was barely present in the region. Today, UNESCAP remains the only regional intergovernmental forum where all Asia and Pacific countries come together to discuss economic and social development.”
Note to Editors: You are invited to attend the lecture (11:00) and official commemoration (14:30) on 28 March, and the press conference at 11:30 on 29 March. Due to security requirements, all media representatives must pre-register for these events. All guests attending the official commemoration on 28 March must be seated by 14:30. Please confirm participation by 26 March. Kindly fax + (66-2) 288-1052 the following information: 1. Representative’s name; 2. Mobile number; 3. Details of any equipment that will be brought into the Conference Centre on 28 March. Limited parking is available at Wat Makutkasattharam, Krungkasem Road (behind UNESCAP).
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Headquartered in Bangkok, UNESCAP is the largest of the UN's five Regional Commissions in terms of its membership, population served and area covered. The only inter-governmental forum covering the entire Asia-Pacific region, UNESCAP aims to promote economic and social progress. More information on UNESCAP is available from www.unescap.org
