BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) --- The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will be launching its annual Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2000 in Bangkok on Monday, 22 May 2000.

The Survey 2000 containing valuable, timely analysis and information on the state of the region's economy will be presented to the media by Mr. Adrianus Mooy, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, at a press conference at the United Nations Conference Centre.

The Survey is the flagship publication of ESCAP and will serve as the main document for discussion at the upcoming ministerial-level 56th Commission session to be held on 1 to 7 June 2000.

The Survey 2000 is divided into two parts. Part One reviews the progress made in the ESCAP region over the past year after the Asian crisis, assesses the policy initiatives that have been taken and identifies a number of areas for further action by policy makers.

As the recent crisis in several Asian and other countries sparked worldwide interest in reform of the international financial system, Part Two of the Survey 2000 focuses on economic and financial monitoring and surveillance. It examines the international financial system, with particular focus on ideas for reform such as improved surveillance and the establishment of early warning systems.

In his foreword to the publication, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated, "It is my hope that this publication will assist our ongoing efforts to derive and to apply those lessons in a spirit of partnership among all members of our United Nations."