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Vol. 4, No.4 2000
UN Focus is published four times a year by the UN Information Services (UNIS) in Bangkok. For further information please contact: The view of expressed in the newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the United Nations. Information from the newsletter may be freely reproduced. |
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UN Secretary-General’s Millenium Report 'WE THE PEOPLES……..' United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented a major statement on his vision for the world body in an April report entitled, “We the Peoples: The Role of the United Nations in the 21st Century” on 3 April 2000. The Report sets out a practical vision for the United Nations in a globalized world that has changed dramatically in the 55 year since the Organization was founded. Among key messages is the need to make globalization more inclusive, to create more opportunities for all, and not leave billions of people in a state of poverty and exclusion. The Secretary-General outlined targets and recommendations and proposes new initiatives for consideration by Heads of States. The following are some of the highlights of his Report. ‘Freedom from Want’: The Development Agenda Heads of State or Government are urged to take action in the following areas:
ESCAP News Calendar
of Events for the Millennium
Information officers from four regional commissions – Economic Commission of Europe, Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Economic and Social Commission of Western Asia, and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific met in New York late March to strengthen information strategies as well as their links with the UN headquarters’ senior information personnel. Among the many improvements slated are: a better visible presence on the UN web site, joint information programmes among the commissions (film, publications, etc.) and a greater understanding of how information colleagues in New York headquarters can help the Regional Commissions achieve their objectives. The officers also attended a briefing by USG K. Hogen of the Department of Public Information (DPI). Mr. Hogen expressed keen interest in the Regional Commissions’ information work and briefed the group on the many programmes DPI was undertaking, and sought the Regional Commissions help in assisting in their implementation. The officers resolved to keep in touch regularly and to meet at least once a year with New York colleagues to keep abreast of new and important development. “I am glad the meeting was a great success and you all gained a lot. We need everyone’s cooperation in making sure the Commissions improve on their visibility,” declared Mr. Y. Berthelot, ECE’s Executive Secretary in charge of information matters for the Commissions. “Our office stands ready to assist you all in your dissemination work.” added chief of the Regional Commissions New York Office (RCNYO), Ms. Sulafa Al-Bassam. The Regional Commission for Africa took part in the meeting through a video conference.
ASIA-PACIFIC MAKES PROGRESS IN SPACE APPLICATIONS The Asia-Pacific region’s major challenge to feed and employ its increasing population without endangering the ecological environment can be met by space applications. Deficient and intermittent financial support as well as the lack of trained personnel and resources may hamper efforts to use this advanced technology for all mankind’s benefit. This was one of the major conclusions of the Second Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific. The Ministers also endorsed a Strategy and Action Plan on Space Technology Applications (2000-2005) and a Ministerial Declaration on Space Technology Applications for Improved Quality of Life in the New Millenium. The Ministerial Conference was organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and hosted by the Government of India, from 15-20 November 1999 in New Delhi. The Conference provided a unique forum for policy planners and decision makers to exchange viewpoints and map out a blue print for regional space development and applications. Sixteen ministers form 27 ESCAP members and associate member countries participated. Ministers also declared the launching of the second phase of ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme (RESAP) for Sustainable Development which urged that it be focused on an action-oriented, result-driven programme for optimizing human and financial resources. The major areas RESAP will focus on include food security, capacity building, human resources development and education, poverty alleviation, weather forecasting, natural disaster reduction, healthcare and hygiene and sustainable development planning towards improving the quality of life. Participants also discussed issues related to satellite data archive, their access and utilization and related data policy and commercialization aspects. These issues, they said, need to be addressed in a concerted manner. They recommended that data generated on a timely and immediate basis from the multitude of satellites in space should be made easily accessible and available free of charge to all countries as they faced the approaching of an natural disaster. Leading space technology companies and space component industries, government space agencies, manufacturers of launch vehicles and satellites as well as commercial space applications service providers participated in the popular exhibition.
Need to Reform International Finance Editor’s Note: We inadvertently used the previous recommendations for the 11th Steering Group Meeting in the last issue of UN FOCUS. We, therefore, are reprinting the correct version in this issue. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) convened its Eleventh Meeting of the Steering Group of the Committee for Regional Economic Cooperation from 27-29 September 1999. The Steering Group is a “think thank” of ESCAP’s Committee on Regional Economic Cooperation comprising representatives of governments, the private sector and academia. Its main task is to develop innovative approaches to topical issues relating to economic cooperation and make specific recommendations. One of the major recommendations of the Eleventh Meeting was that while the issues of economic recovery must be addressed by the countries involved, national initiatives cannot achieve the desired success without a congenial external environment. A supportive external environment is needed to increase exports, restore investor confidence, and bring about the return of long-term capital flows for sustainable growth. The need to reform the international financial architecture, with a view to reducing the volatility associated with the current system was highlighted. It further recommended that the Regional Commissions, including ESCAP, in close collaboration with the Bretton Woods institutions, could make a valuable contribution to the dialogue on international finance. The globalization process has posed new challenges to developing countries, particularly due to the lack of surveillance and regulation of short-term capital flows. This lacuna needs to be addressed through rules and regulations on short-term capital flows and innovative measures at the national, regional and international levels. The meeting also recommended that a system involving intraregional currency support for building currency stability should be given consideration. As there is no unique prescription applicable to all countries to aid their recovery after the crisis, all the affected countries will need to pursue financial and corporate sector reforms and to develop their policy responses according to their own individual circumstances, taking into account their socio-economic and political realities, the meeting concluded.
ESCAP Highlights
Transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure development
The focus of work to be undertaken by this subprogramme will be in line with the regional action programme (phase l) of the New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific. Particular attention will be paid to addressing the special concerns of least developed, landlocked and island developing countries, as well as the economies in transition. The activities are aimed at formulating and formalizing regional rail, road and inland waterway routes, and at establishing a legal basis for international traffic to move on those routes. Significant progress is expected to be achieved in the formulation of the Asian Highway and Trans-Asian Railway routes, and in the accession status of ESCAP members and associate members to the conventions relating to transport and communications. To improve the efficiency of transport facilities, logistics and services in the region, activities will be undertaken to increase awareness of the public and private sectors of the various options available, as well to strengthen their capabilities in adopting commercially oriented policies and practices. With a view to increasing awareness of emerging issues in transport, and to create a sound basis for participatory approaches to sustainable development of transport in the region, a wealth of data and information on transport and related issues will be made available to policy makers, and group training activities will be implemented to enhance national capacity. Assistance will also be provided to increase the knowledge base of policy makers and the public at large of environmental, health and safety issues in transport. Assistance will be provided to member and associate member governments in strengthening national capabilities in policy formulation and planning of tourism, and to promote regional and subregional cooperation in tourism development. For many of the subprogramme outputs, the initial focus will be senior policy makers, policy advisers and other actors who are in a position to initiate or influence the direction of policy changes. The subprogramme outputs will also be used by international organizations, intergovernmental organisations, NGOs and other civil society groups, as well as the private sector. Users will be reached through participation in intergovernmental and expert group meetings and study tours; dissemination of information via technical publications, guidelines, newsletters and the Internet; networking of institutions; conduct of group training activities and provision of advisory services. Strong
support for ESCAP’s land transport projects
Comprehensive
assessment needed
United Nations Secretary-General Visit to Thailand Continue to work hard for humanity, Annan urges staffers
United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan and his wife Nane Annan
visited ESCAP secretariat on February 11th Mr Annan mingled with staff and met members of the ACPR and he planted a tree as a memento of his historic visit. He praised staffers' efforts and encouraged their continued work for the betterment of humanity. During the session, an exchange of views took place on a fairly wide range of issues including the reform of the United Nations secretariat and of the Security Council; poverty alleviation; resource-based budgeting; acceleration of the recruitment process; sharing of common services; strengthening cooperation between ESCAP and other United Nations agencies; the issue of governace; the Millennium Summit of the United Nations to be held in September 2000 and to be preceded by the Millenium Forum in May.
During his working visit, the Secretary-General and Mrs. Annan had an audience with His Majesty the King of Thailand at Klai Kangwol Palace in Hua Hin. The Secretary-General applauded the country’s recovery from the recent economic recession and thanked the Thai leadership for its assistance in East Timor. Speaking after his hour-long meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand Mr. Chuan Leekpai, Mr. Annan praise the ‘remarkable’ job Thailand had done in climbing out of recession two years ago, and suggested that the country's economic reforms could serve as a model for the region. He also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Surin Pitsuwan as well as other high level officials. On Friday, 11 February the Secretary-General received a degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science Honoris Causa form Thammasat University in Bangkok where he told the audience that the speedy deployment of UN peacekeepers was an ‘absolute necessity’ if conflicts were to be contained.
“At present it is as if when a fire breaks out we must first build a fire station in order to respond,” he said, urging the creation of a UN rapid response capacity. At present, the average time from decision to deployment can be three to four months, Mr. Annan said in speech at the University. "Rapid deployment can prevent enormous agony, and we must continue to work with member states to reduce the time it takes to put in peacekeepers in the field", the Secretary-General said. He also said the Security Council must provide mandates that are realistic, credible and backed by sufficient resources."The means must be commensurate with the mandate, and the Security Council must always be ready to adapt the one to suit the other, as the evolution of the situation demands.” The Secretary-General also addressed the opening session of the Tenth United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). His speech drew attention to the protest that occurred during the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle last November and urged Governments and the private sector to address the anxiety that many sectors of the population feel about globalization. The main losers in globalization, Mr. Annan said, are those who have been excluded from its benefits by barriers to trade. Mr. Annan also attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations Summit and the High Level Round Table with Heads of Institutions of the United Nations System under the theme of The Institutional Response to the Challenges of Globalization which were held parallel to UNCTAD X. Women’s Rights Progress Report Card
The October High-Level Inter-governmental Meeting ended with the adoption of a report which contains a set of strategies and recommendations including affirmative actions to accelerate regional implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action. The report will also serve as the input of the Asia and Pacific region to the special session at the United Nations General Assembly on "Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the 21st century" to be held in New York in June 2000 to review implementation of Beijing Platform of Action globally. The meeting organized by the United nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific brought together over 800 representatives from governments, NGOs, international agencies and organizations, advocacy groups, private sector organizations and professional bodies. “This is the time not just to compliment our achievements but rather to look into where we fall short of implementation," said Khunying Supatra Masdit, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office of the Royal Thai Government in her opening address to the Meeting. The Beijing Platform based on a consensus of 189 countries is an agenda for fundamental change in 12 ‘critical areas’ for achieving gender equality. These 12 areas are poverty alleviation, education and training, health, violence against women, armed conflict, economic opportunity, power and decision making, institutional mechanisms, human rights, the media, the environment and the girl child. The Meeting urged countries of the region to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women by the Year 2000. It also focused on key issues within the context of global trends and demographic changes in the region. Governments
renew pledge to Agenda for action on Social Development
YOUTH
GROUP WINS ESCAP 1999 HRD AWARD
Impact of Globalization at UNCTAD X
States that were fully integrated in the world economy had experienced high growth, but had also suffered most from the recent economic crisis. Those States that were less well integrated had experienced slower growth, but were also less damaged. The question was to find the mid-course. This was one of the views that Mr. Adrianus Mooy, Executive Secretary of ESCAP expressed at UNCTAD X (Tenth United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) when speaking on globalization’s impact on Asia-Pacific region. Mr Mooy joined other heads of the five Regional Commissions to describe the impact of globalization on their regions. It was part of an interactive dialogue at UNCTAD held during the meeting in Bangkok from 12-19 February 2000. He said that there is a wide variety of impacts of globalization in the Asia-Pacific region, but there is a strong correlation between integration and the influence of globalization. "East Asia is fully integrated. South-East Asia, at least before the crisis, was well integrated. These countries have high growth rates and good economic performances, but they also bore the brunt of the crisis. South Asia is slowly integrating, and the other States are basically not integrated. South Asia’s performance has been moderate and the others stable, but the countries of these areas were not much affected by the crisis. Integrating fast seems to mean big benefits but also prospects for trouble. Slower integration leads to slower, but less risks." In the Asia-Pacific region, the volume of trade is not merely affected by the region and by policies but also by the pattern of investment. So far the impact of the Uruguay Round and the World Trade Organization (WTO) is limited in the ESCAP region. The reason: only 24 states from Asia-Pacific are members of WTO less than half those are members of ESCAP. In addition, the products of great interest to countries of the region are still outside the trade regime mainly agriculture and textiles. Foreign direct investment to the region has increased but the source and type of industry influence the effect the investment has on the volume of trade. Investment from Japan and the newly industralized states goes mainly to labour-intensive industries. "These are export industries in the home country, and contribute little to the volume of intra-regional trade. If Japan and developed countries of the region could absorb more of these goods, then obviously intra-regional trade would increase. Investment from North America and Europe is mostly in natural resources, or in manufacturing components for assembling elsewhere. Thus its impact on intra-regional trade is also limited," the ESCAP Executive Secretary said. UNCTAD X concluded its session with the adoption of a “Bangkok Declaration and Plan of Action” designed to make globalization an effective instrument for development.
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This
is the fifth in a series of articles that U.N. Focus will provide
on explaining the objectives of the revised subprogramme of the United
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
The
battle to spread women's rights is still far from won. This was one of
the conclusions that the ESCAP member countries made in reviewing progress
in implementing the Beijing Platform of Action of 1995.
