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

Date 11 May 2007
Press Release No. N/25/2007/CS63/3

ASIA-PACIFIC NATIONS TO DISCUSS UNDERINVESTMENT
IN HEALTH AT ANNUAL GATHERING

UNESCAP holds Commission session in Almaty, 17-23 May

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) -- Despite its impressive economic growth, the Asia-Pacific region faces a severe shortfall in investment in health which threatens to undermine its long-term development. The issue will be taken up by the 62 member governments of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) at its annual session to be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 17 to 23 May 2007.

A study by UNESCAP to be presented at the meeting estimates that, for around 20 developing countries which spend less than US$ 20 per person per year in health, an extra US$ 25 billion a year is needed to enable them to meet the minimum requirement for basic health services. The study also points out that besides increasing investment, Asia-Pacific nations need to make their health system more accessible to vulnerable groups.

First time in Central Asia

The meeting marks the first time that the highest decision-making body of the UN’s regional arm holds its meeting in Central Asia. The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, will inaugurate the ministerial segment of the meeting on 21 May. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be represented by Jose Antonio Ocampo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, who will deliver his message to the meeting.

UNESCAP has chosen as the theme topic for this 63rd Commission session “Development of health systems in the context of enhancing economic growth towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific”. Delegates will examine the relationship between health and economic growth and how poverty alleviation can be effectively addressed by investing in health. At a ministerial round table on Tuesday, 22 May, panelists will share their experience on ways to strengthen health systems and provide affordable health care for all sections of the population. The round table is expected to provide guidelines on further implementation of the recommendations of the theme study.

MDGs the focus of anniversary commemoration

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of UNESCAP. A commemorative panel session on the theme of “Achieving the Millennium Development Goals in the ESCAP region” will be held on Monday, 21 May, following the opening of the ministerial segment. Moderated by Mr. Kim Hak-Su, UNESCAP Executive Secretary, the session is expected to develop a road map to assist developing countries in the region to achieve the MDGs by 2015.

A special event at the 63rd Commission session will be the announcement and presentation of the first Asia-Pacific MDGs Media Awards to winners at a ceremony on Tuesday, 22 May. The awards, jointly sponsored by UNESCAP, the United Nations Development Programme and the Asian Development Bank, aim to encourage journalists to put a human face on the MDGs and to demonstrate how everyday life stories are linked to the MDGs. The awards carry a prize of US$7,000 for winners in each category and US$2,000 for runners up.

Business forum to explore opportunities in Central Asia

In parallel with the Commission session, the fourth Asia-Pacific Business Forum (APBF) will take place in Almaty on 18 and 19 May, bringing together around 250 business leaders, government officials, academics and civil society representatives from Central Asia and across the Asia-Pacific region. The Forum will discuss how Central Asia could harness the possibilities brought about by globalization and what could be learned from other countries in the region. Topics for discussion include the diversification of exports, financial services, trade competitiveness, regional cooperation, the contribution of business to development, business and the health sector, and strategies to improve the business climate in Central Asia.

To promote cooperation in sustainable development, rational and efficient use of water and energy resources, transport, trade and information and communications technology, a memorandum of understanding between UNESCAP, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Integration Committee of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) will be signed on Wednesday, 23 May.

A meeting between subregional organizations and UNESCAP on Wednesday, 23 May will discuss cooperation in infrastructure development and financing, and in trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. The heads of UNESCAP, ASEAN, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Pacific Islands Forum, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Community will participate in the meeting.

The Commission session will be preceded by the eighth session of the Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries, 15-16 May. The Special Body will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by international migration, and cooperation to widen access to energy resources and enhance energy security in the least developed and landlocked developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

Further information on the Commission session is available at www.unescap.org/63.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Hak-Fan Lau, Chief
United Nations Information Services Tel. +(66-2) 084-7001147 (mobile)
Email: unisbkk.unecap@un.org