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..Press
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UNESCAP News Services
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Date: 3 March 2011
Media Advisory: N/03/2011
United Nations Trust Fund Expands to cover Disaster and Climate Preparedness
in Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian countries
ESCAP, Thailand to sign new agreement on 7 March 2011
Bangkok (United Nations ESCAP Information Services) – A signing ceremony for the agreement between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Royal Thai Government to mark the broadened scope of the ESCAP Fund supporting early warning systems for tsunamis will take place at the UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, on Monday, 7 March 2011. The event will be hosted by Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP in the presence of H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minster of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
A United Nations fund supporting early warning systems for tsunamis was established in 2005 in the wake of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami with the generous contributions of the Governments of Thailand and Sweden. Results of the Fund so far include the establishment of the Regional, Integrated, Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), which calls for countries to work together for an early warning system for tsunamis, cyclones and other hazards, and has resulted in significant cost savings.
Taking into account the positive results and the continued need to strengthen early warning system for extreme weather events, ESCAP and the Royal Thai Government will sign an agreement to broaden the scope of the fund to cover disaster and climate preparedness within its core areas of support.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the signing ceremony
which will take place on Monday, 7 March 2011, at 10.00 to 11.00 hours in
Meeting Room H, first floor of the United Nations Conference Centre,
Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok.
For further information, please contact:
Sukanitt Jarunveshsuti
ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division
United Nations ESCAP
Tel: +66-2-288 2033
E-mail: jarunveshsuti@un.org
Thawadi Pachariyangkun
United Nations ESCAP Information Services
Tel: +66-2-288 1861, Cell: +66 81 835 8647
E-mail: pachariyangkun.unescap@un.org or unisbkk.unescap@un.org
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Headquartered in Bangkok, United Nations ESCAP 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, ESCAP works to promote sustainable and inclusive economic and social progress. More information on ESCAP is available at www.unescap.org
