Press Release No. G/14/00, BS/01/00
29 May 2000
Globalization, partnerships high on the agenda
ESCAP COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS HOW TO SUSTAIN
ECONOMIC RECOVERY ON A FAIR BASIS
BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services)--Regional economic performance including trade and financial flows and their contributions to the process of economic recovery will be the main focus for discussion at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 56th annual session from 1 to 7 June 2000 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok
The theme topic for this year's session is: "Development through globalization and partnership in the twenty-first century: an Asia-Pacific perspective for integrating developing countries and economies in transition into the international trading system on a fair and equitable basis."
Ministers and senior officials from 60 member and associate member countries and territories of ESCAP are expected to participate in this year's annual Commission session. ESCAP is the only region-wide forum in the Asian and Pacific region which meets annually at the ministerial-level.
The Commission session will be divided into two segments: the Senior Officials' Meeting (1-3 June) and the Ministerial Segment (5-7 June).
The Prime Minister of Thailand H.E. Mr. Chuan Leekpai will inaugurate the Ministerial Segment on Monday, 5 June at 9:00 am at the United Nations Conference Centre.
A special feature of this year's session will be a panel discussion focusing on the core issue, namely the integration of developing countries and economies in transition into the international trading system on Tuesday, 6 June 2000. Renowned experts on the issue such as Professor Jagdish N. Bhagwati, Arthur Lehman Professor of Economics, Columbia University; Professor Kym Anderson, Centre for International Economic Studies, University of Adelaide, Australia, and Mr. Peter Tulloch, Director of Trade and Development Division of WTO, Geneva are expected to speak.
The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2000, unveiled in Bangkok and other major cities around the world on 22 May, will serve as the main document for discussion at the forth-coming session of the Commission.
Delegates at the 56th annual session of the Commission are expected to discuss implications of recent economic and social developments in the region and suggest policy responses.
Other subjects on the agenda:
Environment and natural resources development, socio-economic measures to alleviate poverty in rural and urban areas, transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure development, statistics and least developed, landlocked and island developing countries.
Resolutions on vital issues and policy recommendations are expected to be adopted at the end of the session on Wednesday,7 June .
EVENTS TO NOTE:
* The Senior Officials' Meeting will be opened by Mr. Adrianus Mooy, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP at 9:00 AM on Thursday, 1 June at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC).
* The Ministerial Segment (5-7 June) will be opened by H.E. Mr. Chuan Leekpai, Prime Minister of Thailand at 9:00 AM on Monday, 5 June at the ESCAP Hall of UNCC.
* The 1999 ESCAP Human Resources Development (HRD) Award Ceremony will be held on Monday, 5 June at 17:00 hrs. in the ESCAP Hall.
* There will be special exhibitions on the disabled, ESCAP's work in the region including the Human Resources Development Award and the United Nations Secretary-General's visit to Thailand in February 2000.
NOTE TO EDITORS: You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the opening session of the Senior Officials' Meeting, the inauguration of the Ministerial Segment, the HRD award ceremony as well as other sessions.
Registration for the Press will be at the Press Registration Counter on the ground floor of the United Nations Conference Centre, starting at 8:00 AM on Thursday, 1 June onwards.
An end-of-session Press Conference, co-chaired by the Chairman of the 56th Session and the Executive Secretary of ESCAP will be held on 7 June in the afternoon, immediately after the adoption of the session's final report.
To help journalist navigate through the many issues discussed, UNIS will periodically disseminate a series of Commission Snapshots.
These and more information on ESCAP's annual Commission session can be obtained at: http://www.unescap.org/56/index.htm
For further information please contact UNIS at (66-2) 288-1861, 1862 and 1869 or Fax No. (66-2) 288-1052.