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26 to 29 April 2021 | Open meeting

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The seventy-seventh session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will be held virtually from 26 to 29 April 2021 under the theme, “Building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific.”

Cover image of theme study

 

The theme study for the 77th Commission session analyses the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic in countries of Asia and the Pacific, takes stock of action so far, and sets out a policy agenda for building back better grounded in regional cooperation and centered around four critical interconnected areas: broadening social protection, investing in a sustained recovery, strengthening connectivity and supply chains; and mending a broken relationship with nature. The theme study for the 77th Commission session was launched on 20 April 2021

Meeting at the ministerial level, the members of the Commission will discuss and decide on important issues pertaining to inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in the region and make recommendations to its subsidiary bodies and to the Executive Secretary. The proceedings will include regional perspectives, initiatives and subregional cooperation for scaled up actions in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and take stock of its socioeconomic impact.

The Commission will also review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, consider issues vital to the inclusive and sustainable development of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and Pacific island developing States, and discuss management issues such as the proposed programme plan of ESCAP for 2022.

CREDENTIALS AND REGISTRATION

Each delegation is required to submit a letter of credentials, duly signed by the appropriate authority of the respective Government or organization, at the earliest convenience and no later than 16 April 2021 to [email protected]. Only delegates who appear on the credentials will be recognized in the list of participants.

Once letter of credential has been submitted, all participants are requested to register online as soon as possible.

Only the names of duly accredited and registered participants will be included in the list of participants.

DELEGATES ASSESSMENT

A summary assessment by delegates of the virtual 77th session of the Commission is available for [download]

Participants are kindly requested to assess the 77th session of the Commission by completing the questionnaire under the following link.
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26 Apr 2021
13:00
15:00
Opening of the Ministerial Segment
Virtual (KUDO and YouTube webcast)

Agenda item 1. Opening of the Ministerial Segment [Recording]

Election of officers

Adoption of the agenda

Opening remarks by

  • His Excellency Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Munir Akram, President of the Economic and Social Council [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations [remarks]

Policy statement by Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP [Statement]

Welcome remarks by His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret), Prime Minister of Thailand [video]

Agenda item 2. Theme topic: “Building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific”

Agenda item 2 (a) General debate

Special statements by leaders of Asia-Pacific

  • His Excellency Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Taneti Maamau, President of the Republic of Kiribati [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. David Kabua, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Battulga Khaltmaa, President of Mongolia [video] 
  • His Excellency Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Kausea Natano, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum [video]
  • Her Excellency Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh [video]
  • His Excellency Dr. Lotay Tshering, MBBS, MD, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Imran Khan, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan [video]
27 Apr 2021
10:00
12:00
Agenda item 2. Theme topic: “Building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific”
Virtual (KUDO and YouTube webcast)

Agenda item 2 (a) General debate [Recording]

Introduction of the Theme Study by Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP [Remarks | Slides]

Keynote addresses by

Special remarks by His Excellency Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister, Viet Nam [video]

Country statements [please see Statements tab]

12:30
13:45
  • "Sustainable Graduation in the Challenging Situation: Perspectives from Bangladesh and the Region". Organized by the Government of Bangladesh.

          Recording

  • "Building resilience to future pandemics and climate change through the protection of nature – an urgent issue for the Maldives and the rest of the world". Organized by the Government of Maldives and International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN).

          Join Zoom meeting [Meeting ID: 337 820 2186 | Passcode: 948293]

  • "Modeling Healthy Creative Scene to Build Back Better". Organized by the Government of Indonesia.

          Recording

14:00
16:00
Agenda item 2. Theme topic: “Building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific”
Virtual (KUDO and YouTube webcast)

Agenda item 2 (a) General debate [Recording]

Keynote addresses by 

Country statements [please see to Statements tab]

28 Apr 2021
Agenda item 2. Theme topic: “Building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific”
Virtual (KUDO and YouTube webcast)

Agenda item 2 (b). Subregional Perspectives on Building Back Better from Crises through Regional Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific [Recording]

concept_note_2

Opening remarks by Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP [remarks]

Remarks by

  • Her Excellency Ms. Meg Taylor, Secretary General, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 
  • His Excellency Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General, Association of Southeast Asian Nations [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Esala Ruwan Weerakoon, Secretary-General, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
  • His Excellency Mr. Vladimir Norov, Secretary-General, Shanghai Cooperation Organization [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the Board, the Eurasian Economic Commission [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Tenzin Lekphell, Secretary General, Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation [video]
  • His Excellency Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour, Secretary General, Economic Cooperation Organization
  • Mr. Andrey Smorodin, Director, Greater Tumen Initiative

Interventions from member States

Closing remarks by Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP

11:00
12:00
Agenda item 3. Special Body on Least Developed, Landlocked Developing and Pacific Island Developing Countries
Virtual (KUDO and YouTube webcast)

concept_note_2

Introductory remarks and presentation of the Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2021 by Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP [remarks]

Remarks by

  • Ms. Fekitamoeloa Katoa‘Utoikamanu, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States [video]
  • Mr. José Antonio Ocampo, Chair of the Committee on Development Policy (CDP), the United Nations Economic and Social Council [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. A.H.M. Mustafa Kamal, Honorable Minister of Finance, Bangladesh [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Tandi Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bhutan [video]
  • His Excellency Senior Minister Ly Thuch, Senior Minister, President of NC-ESCAP, Cambodia 
  • His Excellency, Mr. Puspa Raj Kadel, Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Nepal 
  • His Excellency Ms. Adaljiza Magno, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Timor-Leste 
  • His Excellency Mr. Seve Paeniu, Minister of Finance, Tuvalu [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Marc Ati, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, Vanuatu [video]
  • His Excellency Mr. Jone Usamate, Minister for Infrastructure and Meteorological Services, Fiji [video]
12:30
13:45
  • " Debt relief in the aftermath of the pandemic: How can regional dialogue help”. Organized by the Government of Pakistan. [Recording] [Side event summary]
  • " Linking the achievement of SDG1 and SDG2 to build back better: Poverty alleviation through sustainable agricultural development and rural revitalization". Organized by the Government of China, International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC), Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM). [Recording]
  • Moving Past Coal in the Asia-Pacific Region". Organized by the Government of Bangladesh.[Side event summary]
14:00
16:00
Committee of the Whole
Virtual (KUDO and YouTube webcast)

Agenda item 4. Review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific and issues pertinent to the subsidiary structure of the Commission [Recording]

Introductory presentation by Mr. Kaveh Zahedi, Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP

Report on the outcomes of the subsidiary bodies of ESCAP that met in between session by the respective Chairs

Consideration of agenda item 4 (sub-items a-j)

29 Apr 2021
10:00
12:00
Committee of the Whole
Virtual (KUDO and YouTube webcast)

Agenda item 4. Review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific and issues pertinent to the subsidiary structure of the Commission (cont.) [Recording]

14:00
16:00
Committee of the Whole
Virtual (KUDO and YouTube webcast)

Agenda item 5. Management Issues [Recording]

Agenda item 6. Activities of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission

Agenda item 7. Dates and venue of and theme topic for the seventy-eighth session of the Commission (2022)

Agenda Item 8. Other Matters

PLENARY

Agenda item 9. Adoption of the report of the Commission

Closing remarks by Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP [remarks]

Apr
27
2021
12:30-13:45 | Sustainable Graduation in the Challenging Situation: Perspectives from Bangladesh and the Region

Organized by the Government of Bangladesh

Apr
27
2021
12:45-13:45 | Building resilience to future pandemics and climate change through the protection of nature – an urgent issue for the Maldives and the rest of the world.

Organized by the Embassy of the Maldives in Thailand and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Apr
27
2021
12:45-13:45 | Modeling Healthy Creative Scene to Build Back Better

Organized by the Government of Indonesia

Apr
28
2021
12:45-13:45 | Debt relief in the aftermath of the pandemic: How can regional dialogue help?

Organized by the Government of Pakistan

Apr
28
2021
12:30-13:45 | Linking the achievement of SDG1 and SDG2 to build back better: Poverty alleviation through sustainable agricultural development and rural revitalization

Organized by the Government of China, International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC), Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM).

Apr
28
2021
12:45-13:45 | Moving Past Coal in the Asia-Pacific Region

Organized by the Government of Bangladesh

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana
Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP
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Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana was appointed Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on 13 September 2018.

Prior to joining ESCAP, Ms. Alisjahbana was Professor of Economics at Universitas Padjadjaran in Bandung, Indonesia, a position she assumed in 2005. She joined Universitas Padjadjaran as a lecturer in 1988. Since 2016, she has served as Director for the Center for Sustainable Development Goals Studies at Universitas Padjadjaran and Vice Chair of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences.

She also serves on the Governing Board of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), and member of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia - AIPI), the Forum of Statistics Community (Forum Masyarakat Statistik or Advisory Council of the Indonesian Statistics), the International Advisory Board of the Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies and Council Member of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI).

From 2009 to 2014, she was Minister of National Development Planning and the Head of the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS), Indonesia. She served as Co-chair of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation from 2012 to 2014. From 2009 to 2014, she was Alternate Governor of the World Bank and Alternate Governor of the Asian Development Bank representing the government of Indonesia. In 2016, she was a member of the High Level Independent Team of Advisors to support the ECOSOC Dialogue on the longer term positioning of the United Nations Development System in the context of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

Ms. Alisjahbana has been involved in various research projects and consultancies to the United Nations University/Institute for Advanced Study in Tokyo, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the European Commission, and the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Ms. Alisjahbana earned her Bachelor degree in Economics and Development Studies from Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia, a Masters degree in Economics from Northwestern University, USA and a Ph.D in Economics from University of Washington, USA. She was awarded the Mahaputra Adipradana Order (Bintang Mahaputra Adipradana) from the Republic of Indonesia, honorary brevet from the Indonesian Navy and honorary flight wing from the Indonesian Air Force.

Volkan Bozkir
His Excellency Mr. Volkan Bozkir
President of the 75th session of the UN GA
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On 17 June 2020, the General Assembly of the United Nations elected H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir of Turkey as President of its seventy-fifth session, which runs from September 2020 to September 2021.

After graduating with a degree in law from Ankara University, Mr. Bozkir joined his country’s foreign service in 1972. He held several positions during his 39-year career there, including: Permanent Representative of Turkey to the European Union (EU); Ambassador to Romania; Consul General in New York; Counsellor of the Permanent Representation to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); First Secretary of the Embassy in Iraq; and Vice Consul General in Stuttgart. He also served as the Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Turgut Özal; Chief of Cabinet and Chief Foreign Policy Advisor to Presidents Turgut Özal and Süleyman Demirel; Deputy Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for EU Affairs; Secretary General for EU Affairs.

Mr. Bozkir was elected as a Member of Parliament first in 2011 and then in the following three parliamentary elections. During his nine years in Parliament, he served as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman of the Turkey-USA Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Caucus and Co-Chairman of the Turkish-Russian Civic Forum. He also served as the Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator from 2014 until 2016. In 2018, he was elected for the fourth time as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, during which time he chaired the Turkey-Australia Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group.

Mr. Bozkir was awarded the Order of the Star of Romania; the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic with the rank of “Knight”; and the 100th Anniversary Medal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He is married with two children and three granddaughters.

His Excellency Munir Akram
His Excellency Mr. Munir Akram
President of ECOSOC
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His Excellency Munir Akram was elected seventy-sixth President of the Economic and Social Council on 23 July 2020. Ambassador Akram is currently the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York. Ambassador Akram assumed his position as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, on November 1, 2019.

Ambassador Munir Akram previously served as Pakistan’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York for six years between 2002 and 2008, after serving as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva for seven years from 1995 to 2002.

Between 1988 and 1992, Munir Akram was Pakistan’s Ambassador to the European Council, Belgium and Luxemburg.

During his term at the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram served twice as President of the Security Council in May 2003 and in May 2004; President of the Economic and Social Council in 2005; Chairman of the Group of 77 and China (developing countries) in 2007, and Facilitator on UN Administrative Reform in 2006.

ghani-president
His Excellency Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani
President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
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Mohammad Ashraf Ghani grew up in Afghanistan before pursuing his education abroad. Like so many Afghans, foreign invasion and civil war led to the persecution of his family and forced him to remain in exile. Whilst abroad, he became a leading scholar of Political Science and Anthropology and then worked at the World Bank where he learned the tools of international development. Following the fall of the Taliban in 2001,he returned to Afghanistan to devote his unique skills and knowledge to rebuilding the country. He advised interim President Karzai and served as the Finance Minister in the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan until December 2004.

During his tenure as Finance Minister, he designed a package of reforms and initiated several public investment programs that led to significant improvements in the livelihoods of ordinary Afghans across the country. He declined to join the newly elected Government in December 2004. However, he remained an influential voice in the political circles both in Afghanistan and abroad. He served as the chairman of the Transition Coordination Commission (TCC) in 2010 which was responsible for transferring authority from foreign to national troops. He resigned from TCC to run for president in October 2013. He was declared winner on September 22, 2014.

president-azerbaijan
His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
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Ilham Aliyev was born on 24 December 1961 in Baku.

He attended a secondary school No. 6 in Baku from 1967 to 1977.

In 1977-1982, he studied at Moscow State University of International Relations (MSUIR).

In 1982, he embarked on postgraduate studies at MSUIR.

In 1985, he defended a thesis to receive a PhD degree in history.

From 1985 to 1990, he gave lectures at Moscow State University of International Relations.

In 1991-1994, he was engaged in a private business sector and headed several private industrial and commercial enterprises.

From 1994 to August 2003, he was vice-president and first vice-president of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). He has been actively involved in the implementation of national leader Heydar Aliyev's oil strategy.

In 1995 and 2000, he was elected to the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

He has been president of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan since 1997.

In 1999, he was elected as deputy chairman, in 2001 as first deputy chairman and in 2005 as chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party.

From 2001 to 2003, he headed the Azerbaijani Parliamentary delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

In January 2003, he was elected as deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and a member of the PACE Bureau.

On 4 August 2003, following the approval of the Milli Majlis, he was appointed as Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This terminated his power as a member of parliament.

On 15 October 2003, Ilham Aliyev was elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan with more than 76 percent of votes.

In 2004, he was awarded a medal and certificate of an honorary member of PACE.

On 15 October 2008, Ilham Aliyev was elected for the second term as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, after gaining 88.73 per cent of votes.

As a result of the presidential election held on 9 October 2013, Ilham Aliyev was re-elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan with 84.54 per cent of votes.

In the election held on April 11, 2018, Ilham Aliyev gained 86.02 percent of votes and has been re-elected as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Mr. Ilham Aliyev is fluent in Azerbaijani, Russian, English, French, and Turkish languages.

He is married and has three children and five grandchildren.

pm-bangladesh
Her Excellency Ms. Sheikh Hasina
Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
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SHEIKH HASINA, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, was born on 28 September, 1947 at Tungipara under Gopalganj district. She is the eldest of five children of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of independent Bangladesh. She graduated from the University of Dhaka in 1973. She was elected Vice President of the Students Union of Government Intermediate Girl’s College. She was a member of the students League Unit of Dhaka University and Secretary of the Students League Unit of Rokeya Hall. She actively participated in all the mass movements since her student life.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with the members of his family was martyred on the fateful night of 15 August 1975. Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana were the only survivors as they were in West Germany at that time. Later she went to the United Kingdom from where she started her movement against the autocratic rule in 1980. Sheikh Hasina was unanimously elected President of Bangladesh Awami League in 1981 in her absence, while she was forced to live in exile in New Delhi. Ending six years in exile, she returned home finally on 17 May 1981.

In the parliamentary election held in 1986, she won three seats. She was elected Leader of the Opposition. She led the historic mass movement in 1990 and announced the constitutional formula for peaceful transfer of power through Articles 51 and 56 of the Constitution. Following the election of 1991 Sheikh Hasina became Leader of the Opposition in the country’s Fifth Parliament, She steered all the political parties in the parliament towards changing the Presidential system into the Parliamentary one.

prime minister bhutan
His Excellency Mr. Lotay Tshering
Prime Minister of Bhutan
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His Excellency Lotay Tshering is the Prime Minister of Bhutan since November 2018. He was the President of the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa Party during May – November 2018. Prior to that he was the Head of the His Majesty’s Kidu Medical Unit during 2014 – 2018, Consultant Urologist at JDWNRH & Mongar Hospital during 2001 – 2013.

He received MBA from Canberra University in 2014 and had the Urology fellowship at the Winsconsin Medical College Hospital in USA & SGH, Singapore during 2007-2008. He studied general surgery at the BCPS, Dhaka University, Bangladesh (1997-2002. 

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen
His Excellency Mr. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia
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On 20 June 2015, the 38th Congress of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Central Committee of the fifth mandate elected Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen directly and in secret ballots as its President in replacement of the late Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim.

On September 23, 2013, Samdech Techo Hun Sen is re-elected by the Fifth Legislature of the National Assembly and approved by HM the King, Preah Karuna Preah Bat Sâmdech Preah Bâromneath Norodom Sihamoni, as Prime Minister for the next five-year term (2013-2018). In the 28 July 2013 general elections, the Cambodian People’s Party won a majority of 68 seats in the 123-seat National Assembly.

In July 1998, the general election brought victory to the Cambodian People’s Party, of which Hun Sen is the Vice President. He became the sole Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, leading the second coalition government of the two major parties – the CPP and FUNCINPEC – and solemnly declared his Government to be an “economy-oriented government.” Under his leadership Cambodia became the 10th member of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

PM fiji
His Excellency Mr. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama
Prime Minister of Fiji
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H.E. Mr. Bainimarama has been the Fijian Prime Minister since 2007. Under his leadership, Fiji has undergone a broad program of social, economic, electoral and constitutional reforms, leading up to the establishment of Fiji’s first genuine parliamentary democracy of equal votes of equal value in 2014.

Under his leadership, Fiji was the first country to ratify the Paris Agreement. It has also offered to give permanent refuge to the people of Kiribati and Tuvalu should their countries become uninhabitable due to rising sea levels. As the incoming President of COP23, the Prime Minister has issued a worldwide call for every level of government, every section of civil society, and all businesses great and small to join him in forging a grand coalition to defend the collective agenda and increase the momentum for change, with a particular focus on climate adaptation and building resilience.

The Prime Minister was born in Suva and educated at Marist Brothers High School in the capital. He enlisted in the Royal Fiji Military Forces Naval Division as an Ordinary Seaman in 1975 and was commissioned from the ranks as an Ensign in 1977. He assumed the appointment of Chief of Staff of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in October 1997. Later, he was appointed Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and promoted Commodore on 01 March 1999.

jokowi
His Excellency Mr. Joko Widodo
President of the Republic of Indonesia
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Ir. H. Joko Widodo is the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia who took office since October 20, 2014. Born in Surakarta, Central Java, on June 21, 1961, Joko Widodo first entered the government as Mayor of Surakarta (Solo) on July 28, 2005 until October 1, 2012.

After that, Joko Widodo served as Governor of DKI Jakarta on October 15, 2012 before being elected as President of the Republic of Indonesia in the 2014 Presidential Election (Pilpres). During the presidential election, Joko Widodo was elected along with his running mate, Jusuf Kalla.

In the 2019 Presidential Election, Joko Widodo was re-elected as President of the Republic of Indonesia for his second term. This time, Joko Widodo was accompanied by Vice President K.H. Ma'ruf Amin and was inaugurated on October 20, 2019 for the 2019 to 2024 term.

Infrastructure development became a priority program during his first tenure. The development, which is carried out evenly to the outer regions of Indonesia, is carried out to catch up with Indonesia being left behind in this sector compared to other countries.

These priority programs are accompanied by programs in the form of social assistance such as the Smart Indonesia Card (KIP), the Healthy Indonesia Card (KIS), and the Family Hope Program (PKH). In addition, since the beginning of his term of office, Joko Widodo has also pursued agrarian reform by accelerating the issuance of land title certificates to reduce land disputes due to the absence of certificates.

In his second term of office, Joko Widodo shifted the focus of his government to building and increasing the capacity of Indonesia's human resources to be able to compete with other countries. The infrastructure development program is still being continued at the same time.

kiribati-president
His Excellency Mr. Taneti Maamau
President of the Republic of Kiribati
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His Excellency Mr. Taneti Maamau (born 16 September 1960) is an I-Kiribati politician and  hailed from the island of Onotoa in the Southern Kiribati. He became the 5th President of Kiribati after successfully winning the 2016 Presidential Election, leading his opposition party of Tobwaan Kiribati to a major victory to take over administration, and bringing a change to Government after 12 years since 2003. He won the election in March 2016 with a major landslide victory winning the large majority of votes of 19,883 (60%) against his two rivals from the ruling party with 12,764 votes (38%) and the other with only 482 votes (2%).
 
Maamau began his career in the civil service as a Planning Officer with the Ministry of Finance in 1979, joined the Administration cadre as an Assistant Secretary for the Ministry of Finance. He continued his career as a Senior Assistant Secretary for Ministry of Education, Deputy Secretary for Ministry of Finance and also for the Office of Te Beretitenti, until he became Permanent Secretary during His Excellency Teburoro Tiito’s administration (3rd President). Maamau had worked for the Public Service Office, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives  as Permanent Secretary. In 2002, Maamau resigned from the public service to join politics and won one of the seats for his constituency and home island Onotoa. Maamau was a strong opposition MP until elected by the Party as a candidate for the Presidential election in 2015. 
kyrgyzstan-president
His Excellency. Mr. Sadyr Japarov
President of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan
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Born on December 6, 1968 in the Ken-Suu village of Issyk-Kul region. In 1991 he graduated from the Institute of Physical Culture and Sports in Frunze and in 2006 earned degree in low from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B. Yeltsin.

2002-2005 - General Director of Nurneftegaz LLC;

2005-2007 - Deputy of the III convocation of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic;

2007-2009 - Adviser to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic;

2008-2009 - Commissioner of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption;

2009–2010 - Director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption under the State Personnel Service of the Kyrgyz Republic;

2010–2013 - Deputy of the IV convocation of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic;

Since October 2020 - Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Acting President of the Kyrgyz Republic.

On January 28, 2021 H.E. Mr. Japarov was sworn as the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.

president-rmi
His Excellency Mr. David Kabua
President of the Republic of Marshall Islands
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President David Kabua is the ninth President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. President Kabua has been representing Wotho Atoll since his first appointment in 2008. In his second term, he was given the portfolio as the Minister of Health and then later as the Minister of Internal Affairs. He was appointed Minister-in-Assistance-to-the-President in his third term.

During his early years, President Kabua had worked in several Public Service positions as a teacher aid in the Headstart Program for two years, a student liaison officer, General Manager for the Marshall Islands Development Authority (MIDA) under the Ministry of Resources and Development, 1996, and four years as the Consul General in Orange Country, California.

He has an extensive background in the private sector for more than ten years as a business owner.

President Kabua was born in Majuro and is the son of the first President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Amata Kabua and First Lady Emlain Kabua. Upon completion of his studies at Xavier High School, 1971, in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, President Kabua furthered his education at Hilo College and at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Together with his wife, First Lady Ginger Shoniber Kabua, they have three children and one granddaughter.

President Mongolia
His Excellency Mr. Battulga Khaltmaa
President of Mongolia
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March 3, 1963 Born in Ulaanbaatar City

1970-1978 School No. 34 of Ulaanbaatar City

1978-1982 School of Fine Arts

1982-1986 Artist at the Union of Mongolian Artists

1983-1989 Athlete of the National Team

1992-1997 Director-General, Genco LLC

1997-1998 CEO, Bayangol Hotel JSC

2000-2004 CEO, Makh Impex JSC

2004-2008 Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Human Rights

2008-2012 Member of the Cabinet, Minister for Road, Transport, Construction and Urban Development

2012-2016 Member of Parliament

2012-2014 Member of the Cabinet, Minister for Industry and Agriculture

2006 – Jul.10.2017 President of the Mongolian Judo Association

2009 – Jul.10.2017 Chairman of the Mongolian Democratic Union

2016 – Jul.10.2017 Vice President of the International Association for Mongol Studies

Imran Khan
His Excellency Mr. Imran Khan
Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
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H.E. Mr. Imran Khan was sworn on 18 August 2018 as the 22nd Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

 

 

pm-bangladesh
His Excellency Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa
Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
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Mahinda Rajapaksa was the 5th President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. His election for a second term of office in the Presidential Election, held on January 26, 2010, saw the Sri Lankan electorate recognising him as the national leader who liberated the country from the terrorism of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and set the country on the path to peace, stronger democracy and rapid economic development. The re-election of Mahinda Rajapaksa took place in the first nationwide election held after the defeat of the LTTE in May in 2009, and the first where people from all parts of the country were free to participate in elections after more than two decades.

Mahinda Rajapaksa is married to Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa and they have three sons: Namal, Yoshitha and Rohitha.

president-tajikistan
H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon
President of the Republic of Tajikistan
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Emomali Rahmon was born to a peasant family on October 5, 1952 in Dangara district of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Emomali Rahmon began his labour activity in 1969 after graduation from Technical Lyceum №40 of Kalininabad city (presently Sarband) electrician at Qurghonteppa oil factory.

From 1971 to 1974 he served in the Pacific Navy Military Force. After the demobilization, he started working at the Lenin collective farm in Dangara.

Emomali Rahmon graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the Tajik National University in 1982.

From 1976 to 1987 he held posts of the secretary of direction and the Chairman of the Union Committee of the Lenin collective farm in Dangara. He later worked in party bodies.

From 1987 to 1992 he was the Chairman of the Lenin collective farm in Dangara.

In 1990, Emomali Rahmon was elected as People’s Deputy at the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan of twelfth convocation. In autumn 1992, he was elected as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Council of the People’s Deputies of Kulyab province.

On November 19, 1992 at the XVI session Emomali Rahmon was elected as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan.

On November 6, 1994, Emomali Rahmon was elected to the post of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan by nation-wide voting.

On November 6, 1999, Emomali Rahmon was re-elected on the alternative basis and by nation-wide voting and assumed an office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan for a seven-year term.

On November 6, 2006, at free, transparent and democratic elections, held on the alternative basis, Emomali Rahmon was elected as the President of the Republic of Tajikistan for a seven-year term by nation-wide voting for the third time.

On November 6, 2013, Emomali Rahmon, gaining 84.23% of the vote, won the regular election of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.  

On October 11, 2020, Emomali Rahmon, having secured 90.92% of the vote, was re-elected to the post of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.  

According to the ratified Constitutional Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation", the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon who had rendered great and unique services to the people of Tajikistan has been recognized as the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation. 

He is the Hero of Tajikistan (1999).

The President is married and has nine children.

pm_thailand
His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.)
Prime Minister of Thailand
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General Prayut Chan-o-cha 
Prime Minister
Name: General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.)
Date of Birth: 21 March 1954, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand
Spouse: Associate Professor Naraporn Chan-o-cha
Children: 2 daughters
 
Education:
1971           Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Class 12)
1976           Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (Class 23)
1976           Infantry Officer Basic Course (Class 51)
1981           Infantry Officer Advanced Course (Class 34)
1985           Command and General Staff College (Class 63)
2007           National Defence College
 
Career:
1990           Battalion Commander, Second Infantry Battalion, 21stInfantry Regiment, Queen’s Guard
1998           Commanding Officer, 21st Infantry Regiment, Queen’s Guard
2003           Commanding General, 2nd Infantry Division, King’s Guard
2006           Commanding General, 1st Army Area
2008           Chief of Staff, Royal Thai Army
2009           Deputy Commander in Chief, Royal Thai Army
2010           Commander in Chief, Royal Thai Army (until 30 September 2014)
2014           Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (Until 16 July 2019)

pm-tuvalu
His Excellency Mr. Kausea Natano
Prime Minister of Tuvalu and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum
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The Honourable Kausea Natano is the Prime Minister of Tuvalu. He was sworn in as Prime Minister of Tuvalu on the 19th September 2019. Honourable Kausea Natano first became a Member of Parliament in the year 2002 and was appointed Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, then re-elected for a second term as a Member of Parliament in 2007. That year, he was appointed as the Minister for Public Utilities and Industries. In 2010, Hon. Kausea Natano was re-elected for a third term in Parliament where he was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communication and Transport; and Minister for Public Utilities and Industries. Hon.Kausea has served as a Politician for over 18 years. Earlier in his career, Hon.Kausea Natano served in the Customs Department and later became the Director of Customs and Inland Revenue. He also served as Acting Assistant Secretary for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and held the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Bank of Tuvalu.

Hon.Kausea Natano is an Alumni of the University of the South Pacific and was one of the few students that attended King George V Secondary School in Kiribati while Tuvalu was still under the Colony of Gilbert and Ellice Islands. He was born on 5th July 1957, married to Mrs Selepa Kausea Natano and have a daughter and three boys.

pm_uzb
His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Aripov
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan
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The two chambers of the Oliy Majlis passed a resolution on the approval of Abdulla Aripov at the post of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 21 January 2020. 

dg-ilo
Mr. Guy Ryder
Director-General of International Labour Organization
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Born in Liverpool (UK) in 1956, Guy Ryder studied Social and Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge and Latin American Studies at the University of Liverpool. He speaks French and Spanish as well as his mother tongue, English. He started his professional career in 1981 as assistant at the International Department of the Trade Union Congress in London.

From 1985, he held the position of Secretary of the Industry Trade Section of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional and Technical Employees (FIET) in Geneva.

In 1988, Guy Ryder became Assistant Director and – from 1993 - Director of the Geneva office of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).

Guy Ryder first joined the International Labour Organization in 1998 as Director of the Bureau for Workers’ Activities and, from 1999, as Director of the Office of the Director-General. It was during this time that the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda was launched and won support from the international community.

In 2002, he was appointed General Secretary of the ICFTU, leading the process of global unification of the democratic international trade union movement. He was elected as first General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) when it was created in 2006. He headed international trade union delegations to high level talks with the UN, IMF, World Bank and WTO and to the G20 Leaders’ Summits.

In September 2010, Guy Ryder came back to the ILO in Geneva as Executive Director, responsible for international labour standards and fundamental principles and rights at work. Among other activities, he supervised the application of ILO Conventions and Recommendations. He also headed several high-level ILO missions to address a range of issues related to labour standards in countries such as Bahrain, Colombia, Fiji, Georgia, Greece, Myanmar and Swaziland.

Guy Ryder was elected as ILO Director-General by the ILO's Governing Body in May 2012 and took office on 1 October 2012. On taking office, he pledged to position the Organization as a determined actor translating principle into action and ensuring that it had the capacity to make a major difference to the working lives of people on all of the continents. To support this he launched a major reform process  geared to assuring the ILO’s authority on matters falling within its mandate.

Guy Ryder was re-elected as ILO Director-General by the ILO's Governing Body on 7 November 2016 with overwhelming support across the ILO's tripartite constituency. His second term started on 1 October 2017.

sg-wmo
Mr. Petteri Taalas
Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization
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Professor Petteri Taalas has been the Secretary-General of WMO since 1 January 2016. He was appointed by the World Meteorological Congress in 2015 for a first four-year term. He is now serving his second four-year term (Jan 2020-Dec 2023).

  • Director General, Finnish Meteorological Institute, 2007–2015 and 2002–2005
  • Director, WMO Development and Regional Activities Department, 2005–2007
  • Research professor remote sensing, 2000–2002, and Head of research, Scientist, 1986-1999, leader of ozone research unit

International activities and memberships

  • Member of WMO Executive Council since 2008 and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Council 2002–2005, 2007 to present
  • Chairman of EUMETSAT Council 2010–2014 and EUMETNET Council 2003–2005
  • Delegate of Finland to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  2007–2015

National activities and memberships

  • Chairman of the board, University of Eastern Finland since 2010
  • Alumnus of the year of University of Helsinki 2012
  • Member of the Finnish Science Academy since 2010, Advisory board of Fortum Energy Company (turnover 6.2 bn €) and of the Finnish Space and Arctic boards 2003–2005, 2009 to present

University and other degrees

  • PhD in Meteorology, University of Helsinki, Department of Physics, 1993
  • Management, Executive Education, Helsinki School of Economics, 1998 and 2004

List of publications

Author of ~50 peer-reviewed papers on satellite technology, global change, climate & atmospheric chemistry, dozens of other publications & presentations.

ASEAN SG
His Excellency Mr. Lim Jock Hoi
Secretary-General of ASEAN
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Dato Lim Jock Hoi was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei Darussalam since 2006.

During his tenure, he served as Brunei Darussalam’s Senior Official for the ASEAN Economic Community Pillar (SEOM), APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) and the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting). He was a member of the High Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) since 2001, serving as the HLTF-EI Chair in 2017. He was Brunei Darussalam’s Chief Negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), as well as for the P4, precursor to the TPP negotiations. Previously, he was also the Co-Chair during the negotiations for the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), and also served as Brunei Darussalam’s Chief Negotiator for the Brunei Darussalam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (BJEPA).

From June 2011-2017, he was the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). He was also on the External Advisory Board for the ASEAN 2030 Study being undertaken by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

He entered the Government Service as an education officer in 1977 and served as principal of a Secondary School from 1981 – 1985. From February 2001 – July 2005, he was appointed as Director-General, International Relations and Trade Development, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. In September 2005, he was appointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

He graduated from the City of London Polytechnic in B.Sc (Hons) Economics in 1976 and received his Post Graduate Certificate of Education in 1977.

He was awarded The Most Honourable Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei, second Class (D.P.M.B) in 2007. He is married with two sons.

Vladimir Norov
His Excellency Mr. Vladimir Norov
Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization
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Born August 31, 1955 in the Bukhara Region.Graduated from the Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute in 1976, the Academy of the Interior Ministry of the USSR in 1985Completed postgraduate studies at the Academy of the Interior Ministry of the USSR in 1990. PhD in Jurisprudence. Fluent in Fluent in English, German, Russian and Tajik languages.

1978-1992: Worked in different positions at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan;

1992-1995: Expert, consultant on administrative and legal issues at the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

1995-1996: Deputy, then First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

1996-1998: State Councillor of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

1998-2003: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Germany, Switzerland and Poland;

2003-2004: First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

2004-2006: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Belgium, head of the mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the European Union (EU) and NATO;

2006-2010: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

2010-2013: First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

2013-2017: Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Benelux countries, head of the mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the EU and NATO;

2017-2018: Director of the Institute of Strategic and Regional Research under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

Appointed as the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 1 January 2019. He holds the diplomatic rank of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Awarded the Order of Mekhnat Shukhrati (Glory of Labour) of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2003.

Married with three children.

HADI SOLEIMANPOUR
His Excellency Dr. Hadi​ Soleimanpour
Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization
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August 2018 Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)

Feb-Aug 2018 Deputy Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)

2016-2018 Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of I.R.Iran

2015-2018 Chairperson of the Committee for Foreign Policy, Secretariat of Expediency Discernment Council

2011-2016 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of Centre for International Research & Education (CIRE)

2009-2011Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Africa

2006-2009 Director General, Department for International Economic Cooperation, MFA. Iranian Representative to the CPR of ECO and Commissioner to D8

2002-2004 Deputy Head of Department of Environment of I.R. Iran( Deputy Minister) for Natural Environment and Biodiversity

1997-2000 Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the European Office of United Nations in Geneva

1995-1997 Director, Department of UN and International Political Affairs, MFA

1991-1995 Ambassador to various Latin American countries, including Argentine an dParaguay

1989-1991 Director, Department of America, MFA

1985-1989 Ambassador to Spain

1983-1985 Deputy Director for West Europe

sg-bimstec
H.E. Mr. Tenzin Lekphell
Secretary General of BIMSTEC
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H. E. Mr. Tenzin Lekphell took up the position of the Secretary General of BIMSTEC on 06 November 2020.
After graduation, Mr. Lekphell started his career as a militia officer in the capacity of a Lieutenant (1990-2004) at the Royal Bhutan Army. Thereon, he joined the Bhutanese civil service, where he served for more than a decade (1994-2007) before he resigned to participate in Bhutan’s historic democratic elections of 2013 and 2018. Earlier, he served as the Chief Labour Officer, Ministry of Labour and Human Resources from 1999 – 2007 and Planning Officer, Ministry of Agriculture from 1994-1998. Being the founding leader and the Secretary General, H. E. Mr. Tenzin Lekphell, subsequently became the Advisor and Executive Member of the third political party of Bhutan, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), which is the present ruling party of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
He was the founder of Institute for Management Studies (IMS), first private management training institute of Bhutan and served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute from 2009 – 2017. He also launched several private ventures that have enabled creation of employment for numerous Bhutanese youth. Mr. Lekphell spearheaded several national projects in Bhutan, i.e., NATION IN PRAYER (2019 – 2020), TENDREL (2016).
In 2016, Mr. Lekphell achieved Global Environment Leader Award from Global Environment Foundation, New Delhi, for the initiative TENDREL- planting of 108,000 trees to welcome the birth of the first Prince. In 2003, he received Druk Yugyel Medal from His Majesty the King for gallantry following the military service to the nation.
Mr. Lekphell holds a Masters Degree in Science (Agriculture Economics) from London University, United Kingdom and Bachelors in Science from Sherubtse College, affiliated to Delhi University, India.

H. E. Mr. Tenzin Lekphell is married to Mrs. Chokey Yangzom and blessed with three children.

myasnikovich
His Excellency Mr. Mikhail Myasnikovich
Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission
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He was born on May 6, 1950 in the village of Novy Snov, Nesvizh District, Minsk Region.

He graduated from Snovskaya secondary school with a silver medal in 1967, from Brest Engineering and Construction Institute in 1972, and from Minsk Communist Party Higher School in 1989.

In 1972, he began his career as an engineer at Minskproekt State Design Institute and during 1972-1973 he served in the Soviet army.

From 1973 to 1983 he held engineering and senior management positions in public utilities of the city of Minsk.

From 1983 to 1986 he was Chairman of Soviet District Executive Committee of the Council of People's Deputies of the city of Minsk, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of Minsk City Council of People's Deputies, Secretary of Minsk City Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus.

From 1986 to 1990 he served as Minister of Housing and Public Utilities of the BSSR.

From 1990 to 1995 he was Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the BSSR - Chairman of the State Committee for Economy and Planning of the BSSR, First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus.

In 1994, he was appointed as a member of the Presidium of the Interstate Economic Committee of the Economic Union (CIS).

From 1995 to 2001 he was Head of Presidential Executive Office of the Republic of Belarus.

From 2001 to 2010 he served as Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (President, since 2004 – Chairman of the Presidium).

From 2003 to 2012 he was Chairman of the Subcommittee for State Awards of the Republic of Belarus in the field of science and technology.

Since 2015 he was Chairman of the Committee for State Awards of the Republic of Belarus.

From 2010 to 2014 he served as Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus.

From 2015 to 2019 he co-chaired the Forums of Regions of Belarus and Russia held annually by the Council of the Republican National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

In 2014 he took part in the UN Climate Summit, as well as in the first Belarusian-American Investment Forum, which were both held in New York.

From 2015 to 2019 he was Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus of the fifth (2015-2016) and sixth (2016-2019) convocations, Chairman of the Council for Interaction of Local Self-Government Bodies under the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus (2015-2019).

He is the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission since 1 February 2020.

sg-saarc
His Excellency Mr. Esala Ruwan Weerakoon
Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
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H. E. Mr. Esala Ruwan Weerakoon of Sri Lanka assumed charge of office as the Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with effect from 01 March 2020. He is the fourteenth Secretary General of SAARC.

H. E. Mr. Weerakoon is a career diplomat. Prior to this appointment, he was the Senior Additional Secretary to the President of Sri Lanka. He has also served as the Foreign Secretary and Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, Sri Lanka. In his thirty-two years of diplomatic service, he has also served as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to Norway.

H. E. Mr. Weerakoon holds a MSc degree in Economics from the University of London.

Pacific Islands Forum
Her Excellency Dame Meg Taylor
Secretary General of Pacific Islands Forum
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When Dame Meg Taylor was appointed Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum in August 2014, she became the first woman to hold this post.

A national of Papua New Guinea, she began her professional life as Private Secretary to Chief Minister Michael Somare during self-government of Papua New Guinea, and then during his tenure as Prime Minister of an independent Papua New Guinea. She practiced law with the Office of the Public Solicitor and in the private sector, and served as a member of the Law Reform Commission.

She was Ambassador of Papua New Guinea to the United States, Mexico and Canada in Washington, DC from 1989-1994. In 2002, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Dame Meg has served on the board of the Bank of Papua New Guinea and on the boards of a number of companies in Papua New Guinea in the natural resources, financial, and agricultural sectors, as well as on the boards of companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. She has also served on the boards of international conservation and research organizations.

She was appointed to the post of Vice President and Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) of the World Bank Group in 1999 following a selection process led by civil society, industry, and academia. Having set up CAO, which is a key part of the governance structure of the World Bank Group, Meg Taylor led the office for 15 years and established a rich body of work. CAO provides independent accountability and recourse for communities impacted by projects supported by the private sector arms of the World Bank Group - the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). Through her leadership, CAO has become internationally recognized for its cutting edge work in addressing corporate-community conflict around the globe, with a model that has been replicated by other multilateral institutions. She concluded her term at CAO in August 2014.

In January 2016, Dame Meg was appointed to the High Level Steering Committee on Every Women Every Child by the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Dame Meg is also currently the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, and as such advocates for the secure future of Pacific people based on the sustainable development, management and conservation of the Pacific Ocean and its resources.

helen clark
Ms. Helen Clark
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, former UNDP Administrator, Patron of the Helen Clark Foundation
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Helen Clark is a respected global leader on sustainable development, gender equality and international co-operation. She served three successive terms as Prime Minister of New Zealand between 1999 and 2008. While in government, she led policy debate on a wide range of economic, social, environmental and cultural issues, including sustainability and climate change.

She then became the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator for two terms from 2009 to 2017, the first woman to lead the organisation. She was also the Chair of the United Nations Development Group, a committee consisting of the Heads of all UN funds, programmes and departments working on development issues.

In 2019 Helen Clark became patron of The Helen Clark Foundation. She is an active member of many global organisations. 

tencent
Mr. David Wallerstein
Chief Exploration Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, Tencent
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David drives Tencent’s participation in new technologies, business areas, research collaborations and ideas. He has worked on building Tencent's international footprint and entrance into new business areas since 2001. Prior to Tencent, David worked for Naspers in China.

David received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a Master’s degree from UC Berkeley.

Mari Pangestu_world bank
Ms. Mari Elka Pangestu
Managing Director, World Bank
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Mari Pangestu is the World Bank Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships. In this role, which she assumed on March 1, 2020, Ms. Pangestu provides leadership and oversees the research and data group of the World Bank (DEC), the work program of the World Bank’s Global Practice Groups, and the External and Corporate Relations function.

Ms. Pangestu joins the Bank with exceptional policy and management expertise, having served as Indonesia’s Minister of Trade from 2004 to 2011 and as Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy from 2011 to 2014.

She has had vast experience of over 30 years in academia, second track processes, international organizations and government working in areas related to international trade, investment and development in multilateral, regional and national settings.

Most recently, Ms. Pangestu was a Senior Fellow at the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs, as well as Professor of International Economics at the University of Indonesia, adjunct professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University and a Board Member of Indonesia Bureau of Economic Research (IBER), as well as Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta.

Ms. Pangestu is highly regarded as an international expert on a range of global issues. She served as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Washington D.C and as advisor to the Global Commission on the Geopolitics of Energy Transformation of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi. Her record of board and task force service includes the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), co-chair of the expert group for the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, the panel of the WHO health initiative, the Equal Access Initiative, commissioner for the Low Carbon Development Initiative of Indonesia and executive board member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). She has also served on the board of a number of private sector companies.

She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in economics from the Australian National University, and her doctorate in economics from the University of California at Davis. She is married and has two children.

Smorodin
Mr. Andrey Smorodin
Director, Greater Tumen Initiative Secretariat
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Mr. Smorodin assumed position in the GTI Secretariat as the Director in July 2020.

Born 1954. Career diplomat. Has the diplomatic rank “Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary First class”. Speaks Chinese and English.

After graduating in 1976 from Moscow State Institute for International Relations served at different positions in the USSR (Russia) Foreign ministry and Embassy in the Peoples Republic of China.

1999-2003 and 2007-2011 – Deputy Director General of the MFA Economic cooperation Department in charge of multilateral cooperation of Russia in the field of transport and energy.

2003-2007 – Consul-General of Russia in Hong-Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China.

2011-2015 ­– Consul-General of Russia in Shanghai,

2015-2019 - Deputy Director General of the MFA First Asian Department in charge of cooperation with China in practical fields including industry, energy, transport, agriculture, science and technology as well as humanitarian sphere.

Married, has a daughter.

Members

 

Afghanistan

 

Armenia

 

Australia

 

Azerbaijan

 

Bangladesh

 

Bhutan

 

Brunei Darussalam

 

Cambodia

 

China

 

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

 

Fiji

 

France

 

Georgia

 

India

 

Indonesia

 

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

 

Japan

 

Kazakhstan

 

Kiribati

 

Kyrgyzstan

 

Lao People's Democratic Republic

 

Malaysia

 

Maldives

 

Marshall Islands

 

Micronesia (Federated States of)

 

Mongolia

 

Myanmar

 

Nauru

 

Nepal

 

New Zealand

 

Pakistan

 

Papua New Guinea

 

Philippines

 

Republic of Korea

 

Russian Federation

 

Singapore

 

Solomon Islands

 

Sri Lanka

 

Tajikistan

 

Thailand

 

Timor-Leste

 

Tonga

 

Turkey

 

Turkmenistan

 

Tuvalu

 

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

 

United States of America

 

Uzbekistan

 

Vanuatu

 

Viet Nam

Associate Members

 

Hong Kong, China

 

Macao, China

Permanent Observers

 

Belgium

 

Egypt

 

Germany

 

Israel

 

Italy

 

Mexico

 

San Marino

Intergovernmental Organizations

Asian Productivity Organization

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation

Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes In East and Southeast Asia

Economic Cooperation Organization

Eurasian Economic Commission

Greater Tumen Initiative

International Coconut Community

International Transport Forum

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Shanghai Cooperation Organization

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia

United Nations Secretariat

Reginal Commissions New York Office

United Nations Agencies and Bodies

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

International Atomic Energy Agency

International Civil Aviation Organization

International Monetary Fund

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

United Nations Children Fund

United Nations Development Programme

United Nations Environment Programme

United Nations Industrial Development Organization

United Nations Institute for Training and Research

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

World Meteorological Organization

Non-Governmental Organizations

International Federation of Business and Professional Women

Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women Association of Thailand

Soroptimist International

Other Entities

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Islamic Development Bank

Sovereign Military Order of Malta

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    Note: This page is for delegates, government officials and other members of government delegations participating in the 77th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). For general information concerning all participants please refer to the Information Note Section.

    PART I: Guide to participation

    This guide includes information to assist delegates attending the Commission session with their preparations and to facilitate their participation. The document includes useful information on paperless meetings, order of speakers, and the discussions conducted each agenda item.

    The seventy-seventh session of the Commission will take place from 26 to 29 April 2021. It will be conducted in a virtual format only through the KUDO videoconferencing platform.

    Online participation

    Owing to the limited number of connections available, the online participation via KUDO of members, associate members and Member States of the United Nations that are permanent observers of the Commission will be prioritized.

    Based on availability, a limited number of connections will be made available for observer organizations that would notify the secretariat of their interest to speak under a specific agenda item at <[email protected]> by Friday, 9 April 2021. Tentative speaking slots will be assigned based on the availability of connections and confirmed during the meeting based on time availability and taking into account the speaking order of United Nations intergovernmental meetings.

    All other delegates may follow the proceedings via the live broadcast on the Commission website at www.unescap.org/commission/77.

    Letter of credentials and online registration

    Each delegation is required to submit a letter of credentials, duly signed by the appropriate authority of the respective Government, at the earliest convenience but before Friday, 16 April 2021. Only delegates who appear on the credentials will be recognized in the list of participants. Letters of credential can be sent via email to the Office of the Executive Secretary at the following address: <[email protected]> with a copy to the Commission secretariat team at <[email protected]> and <[email protected]>. Originals may be sent to the Office of the Executive Secretary at the address below.

    Office of the Executive Secretary of ESCAP

    United Nations Building, 15th Floor Block A

    Rajdamnern Nok Avenue

    Bangkok 10200, Thailand

    Each delegate who appears in the aforementioned letter of credentials is required to register online as soon as possible at https://meetings.unescap.org/. Only registration of accredited delegates will be accepted.

    Country interventions

    To participate in deliberations, delegates are requested to complete the speaker’s request form to identify which members of the delegations will have a speaking role during the session. The secretariat will send a link to the KUDO session only to those accounts identified on the form. Please note that the KUDO link is not transferable.

    Delegations wishing to deliver their country statement under agenda item 2(a) (general debate on the theme topic, “Building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific”), are kindly requested to inscribe on the speakers list by Friday, 16 April 2021, using the speakers request form.

    A guide to using the KUDO videoconferencing platform will be shared in due course with members of each delegation assigned to speak during the session. KUDO users will also be invited to a test-run prior to the session to familiarize themselves with KUDO, test the connection and ensure a smooth online participation. All KUDO users are strongly encouraged to join the test-run, especially those who will join the KUDO platform from a meeting room, so they can see if the meeting room’s conference/AV system is adequately linked to KUDO.

    Documents and interpretation

    Pre-session documents are available in the four official languages of the Commission (Chinese, English, French and Russian) and will be posted on the official documents page of the Commission website when they are issued. The annual report will be available on the Commission website in all languages following the session.

    The session will be conducted in the four official languages of ESCAP – Chinese, English, French and Russian – with live simultaneous interpretation available in the conference room and via KUDO videoconferencing platform. Details on how to choose an interpretation on KUDO will be provided in the KUDO participation guide. Participants following the proceedings via the live webcast on YouTube may also be able to choose among the four official languages of ESCAP.

    Sign-language interpretation will also be available simultaneously throughout the session.

    Decisions and resolutions

    The Commission will consider a list of decisions under each agenda item. The details on the deliberations under each agenda item are provided in the sections below.

    In light of the virtual format of the session, all negotiations on draft resolutions and draft decisions will be undertaken by the Informal Working Group on Draft Resolutions and will be concluded no later than one week in advance of the session and in accordance with the practice adopted by the Commission at its seventy-sixth session, with the use of the silence procedure. Please refer to the note by the secretariat on the process for negotiation and adoption of resolutions at the session. No meeting on draft resolutions and draft decisions will be scheduled as a part of the official programme during the session.

    The draft decisions and draft resolutions will be presented for formal adoption by the Commission under agenda item 9.

    Elections of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development and of the Governing Council of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization

    The three-year term of the members of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT) and of the Governing Council of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) will end at the seventy-seventh session of the Commission.

    However, the virtual format of the session would not allow conducting the elections for the Governing Councils via secret ballot, as provided for in Rule 41 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure.

    Therefore, the Governing Council of APCICT on its fifteenth session, held on 26 November 2020, and the Governing Council of CSAM on its sixteenth session, held on 4 December 2020, recommended that the Commission consider deferring the elections to the seventy-eighth session of the Commission in 2022 and extending, on an exceptional basis, the term of the current members of both Governing Councils by one year. The Commission will be invited to adopt a decision to this effect.

    PART II: Side event

    All side events for the seventy-seventh Commission session will be held entirely on a virtual platform and organizers will be responsible for all logistical arrangements.

    Delegations and stakeholders interested in organizing a virtual side event linked with the theme of the session, “Building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific”, are requested to complete the Side Event Form electronically and return it by Friday, 26 March 2021 to the following email address:<[email protected]>.

    As slots for the virtual side events are limited, priority will be given to members, associate members and observer countries on a first-come, first-served basis. Events with multiple co-organizers/partners are particularly welcome.

    PART III: Contributions to ESCAP Programme of Work and Regional Institutions

    With the support of donors and partners, ESCAP has, over the years, contributed considerably to the development of Asia and the Pacific by establishing several key regional institutions; negotiating crucial agreements; undertaking quality normative and analytical work; advocating policies to address critical and emerging issues; and building the capacities of its members and associate members to address development challenges facing the region.

    At the Commission session every year, members and associate members indicate their support, both in-kind and financial, to the ESCAP programme of work and the regional institutions.

    The contributions to the ESCAP programme of work supplement regular budget resources and help address development challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.

    ESCAP’s regional institutions (APCICT, APCTT, APDIM, CSAM and SIAP) are hubs of capacity building in focused areas directly linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. They also act as a platform for exchanging good practices among member States, fostering South-South cooperation. The viability of these regional institutions is largely dependent on the financial and in-kind contributions provided by their host Governments as well as the voluntary contributions made by other donors. In its resolution 71/1, the Commission encouraged all members and associate members to make the necessary regular annual contributions to the regional institutions.

    In this regard, all members and associate members are invited to consider making or increasing their pledge for financial support to the ESCAP programme of work and the regional institutions at the seventy-seventh session of the Commission, to be held in Bangkok and online from 26 to 29 April 2021.

    Pledges can be made by filling out the pledging form and emailed to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. Pledges can also be announced during the deliberations on Agenda Item 5 (c): Overview of partnerships, extrabudgetary contributions and capacity development.

    The ESCAP secretariat expresses its appreciation to member and associate members for the commitment and ongoing support to the work of ESCAP.

    Further information can be obtained by contacting:

    Ms. Maria Misovicova
    Chief
    Capacity Development and Partnerships Section
    Strategy and Programme Management Division
    Tel: +66 2288 2257 | Fax: +66 2288 3035 | Email: [email protected]

    Part IV: Detailed guide to participation by agenda item

    Agenda item 1: Opening of the session

    Supporting documents:

    1)        Provisional Agenda (ESCAP/77/L.1)

    2)        Annotated Provisional Agenda (ESCAP/77/L.2)

    Agenda item 1 of the provisional agenda includes (a) opening addresses; (b) election of officers; and (c) adoption of the agenda.

    Scheduled to begin at 13:00 hours on Monday, 26 April 2021, the session will be opened by the Acting Chair of the seventy-sixth session of the Commission, who will also deliver a statement in that capacity, highlighting key work of ESCAP since the Commission last met in May 2020.

    The Acting Chair will also preside over the election of officers of the seventy-seventh session. In line with its rules of procedure and usual practice, the Commission will elect, from among its members, a Chair and two Vice-Chairs of the session.

    Following the election of officers, the Chair of the seventy-seventh session will present the provisional agenda of the session before the Commission for adoption.

    After the agenda is adopted, the Chair will invite the Executive Secretary to deliver her welcome and policy address. The Chair may also invite pre recorded messages and statements from distinguished guests.

    Agenda item 2: Theme topic, “Building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific”:

    (a)       General debate;

    (b)       Subregional perspectives.

    Supporting documents:

    1)        Summary of the theme study on building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/77/1)

    2)        Enhancing regional cooperation for seamless trade and transport connectivity in times of pandemic (ESCAP/77/2)

    3)        Subregional cooperation to build back better from crises in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/77/3)

    Following the presentation by the secretariat, pre-recorded special remarks by Heads of State/Government of Asia and the Pacific on the theme of the session will be played. These special remarks will set the scene for the deliberations of the session and provide a vision from the region to building back better and inspire action to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    Agenda item 2 (a) will start on Tuesday, 27 April 2021 with a presentation by the secretariat on key findings and recommendations of the study on the theme topic of the session, followed by the general debate or “country statements” on the theme topic. Ministers and Heads of Delegations may wish to focus their country statements on the recommendations of the theme study, share experiences and initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, take stock of its socioeconomic impact from their national contexts. Country statements may also draw attention to challenges faced and how regional cooperation and multilateralism can help overcome them.

    In view of time constraints, country statements may need to be summarized and focused on the theme topic, as the delivery time will be limited to three (3) minutes. Prepared texts of longer statements may be circulated and will be posted to the Commission website unless requested otherwise.

    Delegations wishing to deliver country statements under agenda item 2(a) are requested to inscribe on the speakers list by Friday, 16 April 2021, by submitting the speaker request form.

    Delegations are also encouraged to provide statements to the secretariat at <[email protected]> prior to delivery in electronic format, if possible. Statements will be used to facilitate interpretation and drafting of the report of the Commission. Statements will be posted to the Commission website after delivery unless requested otherwise.

    Guest keynote speakers will be invited to provide brief remarks on specific dimensions of the theme topic for the session.

    Agenda item 2 (b) of the provisional agenda will feature a dialogue on the subregional dimensions of the theme of the session. The secretariat will introduce the agenda item, reflecting on the role of subregional cooperation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in building back better.

    The introduction will be followed by a dialogue with the Heads of subregional organizations from across the Asia-Pacific region on subregional responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; priorities for building back better; opportunities for strengthening cooperation within and among subregions in building back better; and the role of ESCAP and the broader United Nations system to support subregional efforts to build back better and greater interregional collaboration.

    The Chair will then open the floor to delegations for brief country interventions, followed by closing remarks by the Executive Secretary. Deliberations will be webcast live and statements delivered will be made available on the Commission website for download. Further details on the dialogue can be found on the Commission website at www.unescap.org/commission/77.

    Under agenda item 9, it is anticipated the Commission will adopt a resolution on the theme topic and adopt decisions to:

    Take note of the following documents:

    (a)       Summary of the theme study on building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/77/1);

    (b)       Enhancing regional cooperation for seamless trade and transport connectivity in times of pandemic (ESCAP/77/2);

    (c)       Subregional cooperation to build back better from crises in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/77/3).

    Agenda item 3: Special Body on Least Developed, Landlocked Developing and Pacific Island Developing Countries

    Supporting documents:

    1)        Summary of progress in the implementation of Commission resolutions (ESCAP/77/6);

    2)        Summary of the Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2021: Strengthening the Resilience of Least Developed Countries in the Wake of the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic (ESCAP/77/4).

    Under agenda item 3, the Special Body will focus on the issues of the least developed countries.

    The secretariat will present the findings and recommendations of the Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2021: Strengthening the Resilience of Least Developed Countries in the Wake of the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic, which highlights how the pandemic has affected the prospects of these countries to progress towards graduation from the least developed country category and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

    The consideration of the agenda item will include a high-level panel discussion with ministers from Asian and Pacific least developed countries.

    The meeting will hear a briefing from the United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States highlighting recent global processes relevant to the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action in Asia-Pacific Least Developed Countries.

    The Chair will then open the floor for brief country interventions. The deliberations will be webcast live and statements delivered will be made available on the Commission website for download. Further details on the Special Body can be found on the Commission website at www.unescap.org/commission/77.

    Under agenda item 9, it is anticipated the Commission will adopt decisions to:

    Take note of the following documents:

    (a)       Summary of the Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2021: Strengthening the Resilience of Least Developed Countries in the Wake of the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic (ESCAP/77/4);

    (b)       Summary of progress in the implementation of Commission resolutions (ESCAP/77/6).

    Agenda item 4: Review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific and issues pertinent to the subsidiary structure of the Commission

    Supporting documents:

    1)        Report of the Governing Council of the Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia on its fifteenth session (ESCAP/77/5)

    2)        Summary of progress in the implementation of Commission resolutions (ESCAP/77/6)

    3)        Summary of the meetings of the subsidiary bodies of the Commission held in the period 2020 ̶ 2021 (ESCAP/77/7)

    4)        Report of the Eighth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (ESCAP/77/8)

    5)        Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development on its fifteenth session (ESCAP/77/9)

    6)        Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology on its sixteenth session (ESCAP/77/10)

    7)        Promoting meaningful and affordable access to broadband Internet for inclusive development (ESCAP/77/11)

    8)        Report of the Governing Council of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific on its sixteenth session (ESCAP/77/12)

    9)        Is everyone in the picture? Civil registration in the middle of the coronavirus disease pandemic (ESCAP/77/13)

    10)      Report of the Asia-Pacific Regional Review of Implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (ESCAP/77/27)

    11)      Report on the sixth session of the Working Group on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013–2022 (ESCAP/77/14)

    12)      Report of the Governing Council of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization on its sixteenth session (ESCAP/77/15)

    13)      Report of the 6th meeting of the Interim Intergovernmental Steering Group on Cross-border Paperless Trade Facilitation (ESCAP/77/16)

    14)      Enhancing energy security in the context of the coronavirus disease pandemic for a greener, more resilient and inclusive energy future in the region (ESCAP/77/17)

    15)      Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management on its fifth session (ESCAP/77/18)

    16)      Pathways for managing systemic risks in Asia-Pacific: regional and subregional approaches (ESCAP/77/19)

    17)      Economic policies and financing strategies to build resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies (ESCAP/77/20)

    18)      Annual reports of international and intergovernmental organizations provided to the Commission (ESCAP/77/INF/1)

    Consideration of agenda item 4 will start with an overarching presentation by the secretariat on the progress of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific.

    The Chairs of the subsidiary bodies of the Commission that have met in between session will present the outcomes of these meetings, highlight actions requested of the Commission as well as key discussions at the subsidiary body. Then the Commission will consider each sub-item in order.

    In their statements, member States may address the points for action in the reports of the subsidiary bodies and in the notes by the secretariat on the specific subitems, as well as provide further guidance.

    Member States and associate members are also invited to review the progress of implementation of ESCAP resolutions, as pertinent to their national context, and provide further guidance. Discussions under this agenda item will be webcast live.

    Under agenda item 9, it is anticipated the Commission will adopt decisions to:

    Endorse the following documents:

    (a)       Summary of the meetings of the subsidiary bodies of the Commission held in the period 2020 ̶ 2021 (ESCAP/77/7)

    (b)       Report of the Governing Council of the Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia on its fifteenth session (ESCAP/77/5)

    (c)       Report of the Eighth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (ESCAP/77/8)

    (d)       Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development on its fifteenth session (ESCAP/77/9)

    (e)       Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology on its sixteenth session (ESCAP/77/10)

    (f)        Report of the Governing Council of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific on its sixteenth session (ESCAP/77/12)

    (g)       Report of the Governing Council of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization on its sixteenth session (ESCAP/77/15)

    (h)       Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management on its fifth session (ESCAP/77/18)

    Take note of the following documents:

    (a)       Summary of progress in the implementation of Commission resolutions (ESCAP/77/6)

    (b)       Promoting meaningful and affordable access to broadband Internet for inclusive development (ESCAP/77/11)

    (c)       Is everyone in the picture? Civil registration in the middle of the coronavirus disease pandemic (ESCAP/77/13)

    (d)       Report of the Asia-Pacific Regional Review of Implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (ESCAP/77/27)

    (e)       Report on the sixth session of the Working Group on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013–2022 (ESCAP/77/14)

    (f)        Report of the 6th meeting of the Interim Intergovernmental Steering Group on Cross-border Paperless Trade Facilitation (ESCAP/77/16)

    (g)       Enhancing energy security in the context of the coronavirus disease pandemic for a greener, more resilient and inclusive energy future in the region (ESCAP/77/17)

    (h)       Pathways for managing systemic risks in Asia-Pacific: regional and subregional approaches (ESCAP/77/19)

    (i)        Economic policies and financing strategies to build resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies (ESCAP/77/20)

    (j)        Annual reports of international and intergovernmental organizations provided to the Commission (ESCAP/77/INF/1)

    It is also anticipated that the Commission will adopt a decision to defer the elections of the Governing Council of APCICT and of the Governing Council of CSAM, to the seventy-eighth session of the Commission in 2022 and extend, on an exceptional basis, the term of the current members of both Governing Councils by one year.

    Agenda item 5: Management issues

    Supporting documents:

    1)        Proposed programme plan for 2022 (ESCAP/77/21)

    2)        Programme changes for the 2021 programme plan (ESCAP/77/22)

    3)        Overview of partnerships, extrabudgetary contributions and capacity development (ESCAP/77/23)

    4)        Report on the evaluation of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (ESCAP/77/24)

    5)        Evaluation of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (ESCAP/77/INF/2)

    Agenda item 5 of the provisional agenda will review the work programme of ESCAP and begin with a presentation by the secretariat, followed by consideration by the Commission subitem-by-subitem. The Chair will open the floor for brief country interventions for each subitem.

    Under agenda item 5 (a), the Commission will review the proposed programme plan for 2022.

    Under agenda item 5 (b), the Commission will review the programme changes for the 2021 programme plan, which may be required following the identification of emerging global priorities by the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and global conference since the endorsement of the draft programme of work by the Commission at its seventy-sixth session.

    Under agenda item 5 (c), members and associate members will have the opportunity to announce their intended contributions for 2021. Delegations intending to pledge contributions are requested to complete and submit the pledging form available on the Commission website.

    Under agenda item 5(d), the Commission will consider the report on the evaluation of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development, pursuant to resolution 71/1.

    Discussions on this agenda item will be webcast live.

    Under agenda item 9, it is anticipated the Commission will adopt decisions to:

    (a)       Endorse the proposed programme plan for 2022;

    (b)       Endorse the programme changes for the 2021 programme plan;

    (c)       Take note of the pledges and thank members and associate members for their pledges; and

    (d)       Endorse the report on the evaluation of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development and take note of the information document on the evaluation of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development.

    Agenda item 6: Activities of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission

    Supporting document:

    1)        Report of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission (ESCAP/77/25)

    Agenda item 6 of the provisional agenda will review the intersessional activities of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission as presented by the Rapporteur of the Advisory Committee. After the presentation, the floor will be opened for country interventions. Discussions on this agenda item will be webcast live.

    Under agenda item 9, it is anticipated that the Commission will adopt a decision taking note of the report of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission.

    Agenda item 7: Dates and venue of and theme topic for the seventy-eighth session of the Commission (2022)

    Supporting document:

    1)        Dates, venue and theme topic for the seventy-eighth session of the Commission (2022) (ESCAP/77/26)

    Under agenda item 7 of the provisional agenda, the Commission will decide on the dates and venue of the seventy-eighth session of the Commission, to be held in 2022, as well as the theme topic to be considered by the Commission at that session.

    Following the presentation of the agenda item by the secretariat, the floor will be opened for country interventions. Discussions on this agenda item will be webcast live.

    Under agenda item 9, it is anticipated the Commission will adopt a decision fixing the dates of its seventy-eighth session to be held in April or May 2022. Through the same decision the Commission will determine the theme for its seventy-eighth session.

    Agenda item 8: Other matters

    Agenda item 8 of the provisional agenda provides the opportunity for members and associate members to raise other matters not covered under the items above. Discussions on this agenda item will be webcast live.

    Agenda item 9: Adoption of the report of the Commission

    Supporting documents:

    1)        Draft report to be adopted by the Commission: Organization of the seventy-seventh session of the Commission (ESCAP/77/L.3)

    2)        Draft report to be adopted by the Commission: Statement of programme budget implication of actions and proposals of the Commission (ESCAP/77/L.3/Add.1)

    3)        Draft resolutions to be adopted by the Commission

    4)        Draft decisions to be adopted by the Commission

    Under agenda item 9, the Commission will consider for adoption the report of its seventy-seventh session.

    Pursuant to paragraph 7 of annex II, entitled “Conference structure of the Commission”, to the annual report of ESCAP, 20 May 2016–19 May 2017 (E/2017/39–E/ESCAP/73/40), the report of the Commission will be composed of its decisions and resolutions.

    The draft record of proceedings of the Commission session, prepared by the secretariat, will be circulated among members and associate members for comments within fifteen days of the conclusion of the session.

    Following the adoption of the report, the Executive Secretary will deliver a closing statement. The Chair may also deliver a closing statement before formally closing the session. Discussions on this agenda item will be webcast live.

    26 April 2021

    Agenda item 1. Opening of the Ministerial Segment 

    Statement by the Chair elect H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan 

    Opening remarks by

    Policy statement by Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP

    Welcome remarks by His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret), Prime Minister of Thailand 

    Agenda item 2. Theme topic: “Building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific”

    27 April 2021

    Agenda item 2 (a) General debate

    Country statements:

    Statements by international organizations

    28 April 2021

    Agenda item 2 (b) Subregional perspectives

    Country intervention

    Agenda item 3. Special Body on Least Developed, Landlocked Developing and Pacific Island Developing Countries

    Country statements:

    Country intervention

    Agenda item 4. Review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific and issues pertinent to the subsidiary structure of the Commission:

    (a) Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development;

    Country intervention

    (b) Committee on Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation;

    Country intervention

    (c) Committee on Statistics;

    Country intervention

    (d) Committee on Social Development;

    Country intervention

    (e) Committee on Transport;

    Country intervention

    (f) Committee on Environment and Development;

    Country intervention

    (g) Committee on Trade and Investment;

    Country intervention

    (h) Committee on Energy;

    Country intervention

    (i) Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction;

    Country intervention

    (j) Committee on Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Financing for Development.

    Country intervention

    for more information, please contact

    Office of the Executive Secretary +66 2288 1234 [email protected]
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