Note: This page is for delegates, government officials and other members of government delegations participating in the 78th 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-eighth session of the Commission will take place from 23 to 27 May 2022 in a hybrid modality at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok and online.
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, 13 May 2022. Only delegates who appear on the credentials will be recognized in the list of participants.
Representatives of members, associate members and other Member States of the United Nations that are permanent observers of the Commission are requested to specify in the credentials letter that all delegates attending the meeting in person are fully vaccinated.
For representatives of international organizations, major groups and stakeholders who wish to attend the Commission session in-person, they are required to complete at the time of registration a COVID-19 Health Declaration Form at https://indico.un.org/event/1000381/ providing emergency contact details in Thailand,
certifying their health status and confirming their compliance with the COVID-19 preventive measures while attending the Commission, and uploading a valid vaccination certificate.
Regarding the elections to the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT), the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM), the Governing Council of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) and the Governing Council of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP) to be held simultaneously at the United Nations Conference Centre Bangkok, Subregional Office for the Pacific in Suva, Fiji, and the premises of its Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) in Beijing, China during the seventy-eighth session of the Commission, delegations unable to cast their vote in Bangkok may include one of their accredited representatives stationed in Suva or Beijing in their official letter of credentials to cast their vote in one of these two locations.
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]>, <[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
Executive Office Suite, United Nations Conference Centre
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
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 but no later than Friday, 13 May 2022 at https://indico.un.org/event/1000381/ to facilitate the issuance of name badges and ensure the accuracy of the list of participants.
In addition, all in-person meeting participants must complete the COVID-19 Health Declaration Form (https://indico.un.org/event/1000381/) providing emergency contact details in Thailand, certifying their health status and confirming their compliance with the COVID-19 preventive measures while attending the Commission. The secretariat will review and verify the accreditation letters and the validity of uploaded vaccination certificates, together with the COVID-19 Health Declaration Form, prior to issuance of meeting badges.
Delegates unable to confirm their vaccination status may alternatively provide proof of a negative antigen-detecting rapid COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours of the start of each meeting day.
Only registration of accredited delegates will be accepted. Please note that registering online prior to the meeting is mandatory in accordance with standard United Nations security procedures to facilitate security clearance and entrance to the premises.
In-person participation
In view of the exceptional circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure the safety of all delegates, in person participation in the session will be subject to general and specific guidance and restrictions as outlined below, referred to as “COVID-19 minimum requirements”.
All representatives of members, associate members, other Member States of the United Nations that are permanent observers and other stakeholders are invited to attend all the official meetings in person, provided that the COVID-19 minimum requirements outlined in this note are respected.
Any accredited delegate may also choose to actively participate in the session remotely through the online meeting platform, with full speaking rights and with online interpretation in the four official languages of the Commission.
Taking into account the limited seating capacity in the meeting room, owing to the physical distancing requirements at the UNCC in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, each member of the Commission will in principle be allocated one seat with a microphone plus two additional seats, while associate members and other Member States that are permanent observers of the Commission will be allocated one seat with a microphone plus an additional seat. Observer organizations will also be allocated one seat with a microphone, based on availability.
Delegates wishing to attend in person should notify the secretariat by email at <[email protected]> by Friday, 13 May 2022.
Only delegates that appear in the letter of credentials and have duly registered will be issued a meeting badge and allowed into the room.
The secretariat continues to monitor the situation in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and the arrangements for the physical participation of delegates may be updated in light of the prevailing conditions.
COVID-19 minimum requirements
All delegates, regardless of rank and affiliation, who intend to participate in the Session in person are required to complete a COVID-19 Health Declaration Form and verify that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (*) through the registration platform at the time of registration.
(*Fully vaccinated” means persons who have, at least 14 days prior to the date of the opening of the meeting, received their final dose of a vaccine against COVID-19 approved for use by the regulatory mechanisms of the country of vaccination.)
Representatives of members, associate members and other Member States of the United Nations that are permanent observers of the Commission are requested to upload an accreditation letter to the registration platform, which must specify that all delegates attending the meeting in person are fully vaccinated. Representatives of members, associate members and other Member States of the United Nations that are permanent observers of the Commission are requested to specify in the credentials letter that all delegates attending the meeting in person are fully vaccinated.
For representatives of international organizations, major groups and stakeholders who wish to attend the Commission session in-person, they are required to complete at the time of registration a COVID-19 Health Declaration Form at https://indico.un.org/event/1000381/ and uploading a valid vaccination certificate.
All in-person meeting participants must complete the COVID-19 Health Declaration Form (https://indico.un.org/event/1000381/) providing emergency contact details in Thailand, certifying their health status and confirming their compliance with the COVID-19 preventive measures while attending the Commission. The secretariat will review and verify the accreditation letters and the validity of uploaded vaccination certificates, together with the COVID-19 Health Declaration Form, prior to issuance of meeting badges.
Delegates unable to confirm their vaccination status may alternatively provide proof of a negative antigen-detecting rapid COVID-19 test (**) taken within 24 hours of the start of each meeting day.
(**As of now, Antigen Test Kits (ATKs) are easily available in pharmacies and convenience stores in Thailand. The list of COVID-19 test kits that has been licensed for production and import from the Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Heath, Thailand, is available at www.fda.moph.go.th/sites/Medical/SitePages/test_kit_covid19.aspx#.)
All meeting participants must wear face masks covering their nose and mouth at all times, except when addressing the meeting from their desks, the rostrum or the podium.
Any participant displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 should refrain from entering the United Nations Conference Centre and attending any in-person meeting and should take a test without delay to determine their COVID-19 status. Should a participant test positive by means of an antigen-detecting rapid test, they should, in addition to refraining from participating in the remainder of the session, self-isolate and inform the secretariat of their COVID-19 status in order to trigger possible contact tracing.
Participants must avoid overcrowding any meeting room or other areas in the conference facilities.
All participants in the conference rooms must remain seated in designated chairs during the meeting.
Participants should refrain from attending the Commission in person if they do not feel well, developing fever, respiratory and/or other COVID-19 symptoms. In such cases, they are advised to contact the secretariat at <[email protected]> in order to make arrangements for online participation.
The above-mentioned guidance will be regularly reviewed in the light of the future evolution and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and may be relaxed or tightened or complemented by additional specific guidance based on information provided by the host country, Thailand, and in view of evolving medical advice and scientific findings, under the guidance of the World Health Organization and the Secretariat of the United Nations.
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 Monday, 9 May 2022. 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 https://www.unescap.org/events/commission78.
Country interventions
To participate in deliberations, delegates are requested to complete the speaker request form to identify which members of the delegations participating online 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 attending in person may request to speak by raising their flag or informing the presiding conference room officers.
Delegations wishing to deliver their country statement under agenda item 2(a) (general debate on the theme topic, “A common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific”), are kindly requested to inscribe on the speakers list as soon as possible but no later than Monday, 16 May 2022, using the speaker request form.
Country statements may need to be summarized and focused on the theme topic, as the delivery time will be limited to three minutes. Prepared texts of longer statements may be circulated.
Delegations are also encouraged to provide statements to the secretariat prior to delivery in electronic format. 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.
For delegates participating online, 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 (under agenda and official documents) 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.
International sign-language interpretation and live captioning services in the four official languages of ESCAP will also be available simultaneously throughout the session in the secretariat’s continuous efforts to improve accessibility of the Commission.
Paperless meetings
Please note that, in accordance with ongoing efforts of the United Nations towards a paperless Secretariat, printed official meeting documents are no longer provided for member State and associate member delegations except only upon explicit request. In such cases only one set of printed official meeting documents will be provided.
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 hybrid 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 and seventy-seventh sessions, 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. Delegations wishing to submit draft resolutions are requested to submit the proposed text to the Executive Secretary in writing at least six weeks before the start of the Commission session (Monday, 11 April 2022).
The draft decisions and draft resolutions will be presented for formal adoption by the Commission under agenda item 10.
Elections to the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT), the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM), the Governing Council of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) and the Governing Council of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP)
At the seventy-eighth Commission session, the Commission will hold the scheduled elections for the Governing Councils of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) and the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP), as well as the elections for the Governing Councils of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT) and the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), which were postponed from the seventy-seventh session of the Commission held in 2021 owing to the session being held entirely online.
The Commission will elect new members to the Governing Councils of these four regional institutions during the senior officials segment, on Tuesday, 24 2022 from 11.00 to 13.00 hours Bangkok time (UTC+7) at the Conference Room 4, Level 1, United Nations Conference Centre Bangkok.
All delegations are encouraged to participate in person at the session and cast their vote at the United Nations Conference Centre Bangkok. Delegations that are not represented in Bangkok and are unable to send a representative to Bangkok due to prevailing travel restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, may consider including in their delegation a Bangkok-based representative that shall exercise their voting right. Additionally, the secretariat will arrange for voting to take place simultaneously at its Subregional Office for the Pacific in Suva, Fiji from 16:00 to 18:00 hours (UTC+12), and at the premises of its Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) in Beijing, China from 12:00 to 14:00 hours (UTC+8). Delegations unable to cast their vote in Bangkok may include one of their representatives stationed in Suva or Beijing in their official letter of credentials to cast their vote in one of these two locations. Only duly accredited and registered participants will be allowed to cast a vote. Delegations are requested to notify the secretariat at [email protected] by Friday, 13 May 2022 about the location chosen to cast their vote, whether Bangkok, Beijing or Suva.
All members and associate members seeking election or re-election to the Governing Council are requested to complete a nomination form and submit it to the Secretary of the Commission by 23:59 hours Bangkok time (UTC+7) on Friday, 13 May 2022. Detailed information and the nomination forms are available in on the Commission website at https://www.unescap.org/events/commission78#ElectionsofGoverningCouncils.
Liaison officers
The liaison officers are secretariat staff members who shall be assisting members and associate members of the Commission in addition to their regular duties in the substantive servicing of the Commission session. Delegations may contact the liaison officers should they need assistance. The staff members whose names appear in the list of liaison officers shall serve as liaison officers to members and associate members of the Commission.
PART II: Side event and Exhibition
Delegations and stakeholders interested in organizing side events and /or exhibitions linked with the theme of the session, “A common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific”, are requested to complete the Side Event Form and Exhibition Form electronically and return it by Friday, 22 April 2022 to the following email address:<[email protected]>. Organizers will be responsible for all logistical arrangements.
As slots for the 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 member State 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 capacities of its members to address development challenges facing the region.
At the Commission session every year, members and associate members of ESCAP 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 us 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 (SDGs). 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 of ESCAP to make the necessary regular annual contributions to the regional institutions.
In this regard, we would like to invite all members and associate members to consider making or increasing their pledge for financial support to the ESCAP programme of work and the regional institutions at the seventy-eighth session of the Commission, to be held in Bangkok and online from 23 to 27 May 2022.
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 (b): 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. Zeynep Orhun Girard
Chief, Capacity Development and Partnerships Section
Strategy and Programme Management Division
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Office: +66 22 88 1672
E-mail: [email protected]
PART IV: Visa exemption request
Awaiting for confirmation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand on the arrangements.
ESCAP facilitates request for visa exemption upon arrival only for delegates who are from a country which does not have Thai diplomatic mission in their country. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, kindly note that this arrangement may be subject to change by the host country authorities.
Delegations are requested to complete the Visa Exemption Form electronically and return it via email to [email protected] with copy to [email protected] by Friday, 29 April 2022.
PART V: Protocol arrangement
Awaiting for confirmation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand on the arrangements.
Please note that owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, information concerning any change to protocol arrangements will be updated as soon as practicable.
ESCAP provides protocol arrangements for delegates at the ministerial level and above. Airport transfers and transfer between meeting venue and hotel only applies to delegations which do not have a diplomatic mission in Thailand. Please note that police escort is only provided for Heads of State or Head of Government. The cost of additional police escort will be borne by the requesting country. Delegates are responsible for securing hotel reservations and the cost of their accommodations.
In order to facilitate arrangements, delegations are requested to complete the Protocol Arrangement Form electronically and return it via email to addresses indicated in the form by Friday, 29 April 2022.
Part VI: Detailed guide to participation by agenda item
Agenda item 1: Opening of the session
Supporting documents:
1) Provisional Agenda (ESCAP/78/L.1/Rev.2)
2) Annotated Provisional Agenda (ESCAP/78/L.2/Rev.1)
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 10:00 hours on Monday, 23 May 2022, the session will be opened by the Chair of the seventy-seventh session of the Commission, who will also deliver a statement in that capacity, highlighting key work of ESCAP since the Commission last met in April 2021.
The Chair will also preside over the election of officers of the seventy-eighth 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.
If the plenary so decides, the rule may be applied differently to enable the Commission to elect more than two Vice-Chairs, as has been the practice at previous sessions, in which case the Commission may elect a bureau of officers composed of a Chair and several Vice-Chairs.
Following the election of officers, the Chair of the seventy-eighth 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. Other high-level dignitaries may also be invited to address the Commission.
The Chair will then invite special remarks by Heads of State/Government of ESCAP member States on the seventy-fifth anniversary of ESCAP and on the theme of the session. These special remarks will set the scene for the deliberations of the session and provide a vision from the region to shape the future of regional cooperation centred around a new form of multilateralism and to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Agenda item 2: Theme topic, “A common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific”:
(a) General debate;
(b) Subregional perspectives.
Supporting documents:
1) Summary of the theme study on a common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/1)
2) Report of the Governing Council of the Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia on its sixteenth session (ESCAP/78/2)
3) Subregional cooperation to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/3)
4) Asia-Pacific Riskscape at 1.5o C: subregional pathways for adaptation and resilience (ESCAP/78/13)
Agenda item 2 (a) will start from afternoon of Monday, 23 May 2022 to Tuesday, 24 May 2022. The secretariat will present key findings and recommendations of the study on the theme topic of the session, followed by the three high-level thematic roundtables and the general debate or “country statements” on the theme topic.
The focus of the three high-level thematic roundtables will be as follows:
1.) Strengthening health responses and preparedness: to discuss regional cooperation to develop more agile, adaptive and resilient health systems and the regional actions required to ensure equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
2.) Ensuring resilient supply chains and connectivity: to discuss regional cooperation as economies in Asia and the Pacific re-establish their supply chains and connectivity
3.) Realizing climate action in Asia and the Pacific: to discuss how to build on the important Glasgow Climate Pact outcomes for the Paris Agreement implementation including through regional collaboration on innovative climate action.
These topics will build upon the series of regional conversations convened by the Executive Secretary to mark the commemorations of the 75th anniversary of ESCAP and will also support following up on the provisions contained in ESCAP resolution 77/1 adopted by the seventy-seventh session of the Commission in April 2021.
With regards to 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 which identifies elements for a common agenda for present and future generations centred on protecting people and planet, leveraging on digital opportunities, trading and investing more together, raising financial resources and managing debt. Country statements may focus on sharing experiences and initiatives on how to achieve more inclusive and sustainable post-pandemic recovery and development through regional cooperation to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific region. Country statements may also draw attention to the 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 Monday, 16 May 2022, 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 during the high-level thematic round tables.
The consideration of agenda item 2 (b) of the provisional agenda will start in the morning of Wednesday, 25 May 2022 and 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 advancing regional priorities through cooperation and highlighting the key areas of cooperation between subregional organizations and ESCAP.
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; opportunities for strengthening coordination and regional cooperative partnerships within and among subregions post-pandemic; refining subregional priorities and strengthening multilateralism with actions for advancing sustainable development in Asia-Pacific.
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/events/commission78.
Under agenda item 10, the Commission is expected to adopt a resolution on the theme topic of the session and adopt decisions to:
Take note of the following documents:
(a) Summary of the theme study on a common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/1)
(b) Subregional cooperation to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/3)
Endorse the following document:
(a) Report of the Governing Council of the Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia on its sixteenth session (ESCAP/78/2).
The Commission usually adopts a resolution on the theme topic of the session.
Agenda item 3: Special Body on Least Developed, Landlocked Developing and Pacific Island Developing Countries
Supporting document:
Summary of the Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2022: Financing a Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19 and Beyond (ESCAP/78/4)
Under agenda item 3, the Special Body will consider the development challenges of countries in special situations, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The secretariat will present the findings and recommendations of the Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2022: Financing a Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19 and Beyond. The report highlights the significant financing needs and gaps that least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States face in their recovery efforts from COVID-19 and in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. The report also examines policy options to mobilize financial resources in these countries for that purpose.
The consideration of the agenda item will include a high-level panel discussion with ministers from least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) or small island developing States (SIDS) in Asia and the Pacific.
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/events/commission78.
Under agenda item 10, it is anticipated the Commission will adopt decisions to:
Take note of the following document:
Summary of the Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2022: Financing a Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19 and Beyond (ESCAP/78/4)
Agenda item 4: Review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific
Supporting documents:
- Summary of progress in the implementation of Commission resolutions (ESCAP/78/5)
- Summary of the meetings of the subsidiary bodies of the Commission held in the period 2021–2022 (ESCAP/78/6)
- Report of the Ninth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (ESCAP/78/7)
- Key social development issues for consideration in 2022 (ESCAP/78/8)
- Report on seventh session of the Working Group on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2013-2022) (ESCAP/78/9)
- Report of the Governing Council of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization on its seventeenth session (ESCAP/78/10)
- Opportunities for reaching carbon neutrality in the Asia-Pacific Region (ESCAP/78/11)
- Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management on its sixth session (ESCAP/78/12)
- Regional Plan of Action on Sand and Dust Storms in the Asian and Pacific Region (ESCAP/78/12/Add.1)
- Asia-Pacific [email protected] C: Subregional Pathways for Adaptation and Resilience (ESCAP/78/13)
- Implementing the global road map for accelerated action on Sustainable Development Goal 7 in the Asia-Pacific region (ESCAP/78/14)
- Report of the Ministerial Conference on Transport on its fourth session (ESCAP/78/15)
- Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/15/Add.1)
- Regional Action Programme for Sustainable Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific (2022-2026) (ESCAP/78/15/Add.2)
- An efficient and resilient transport and logistics network in support of supply chain connectivity (ESCAP/78/16)
- Economic Policies for Inclusive Recovery and Development in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/17)
- Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology on its seventeenth session (ESCAP/78/18)
- Report of the Interim Intergovernmental Steering Group on Cross-border Paperless Trade Facilitation on its seventh session (ESCAP/78/19)
- Report of the Paperless Trade Council of the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific on its first session (ESCAP/78/20)
- Leveraging trade and investment to address climate action in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/21)
- Policies to enable business innovation for inclusive and sustainable development (ESCAP/78/22)
- Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development on its sixteenth session (ESCAP/78/23)
- Digital cooperation for an inclusive digital society (ESCAP/78/24)
- Report of the Governing Council of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific on its seventeenth session (ESCAP/78/25)
- Report of the Second Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/26)
- Ministerial Declaration on Building a More Resilient Future with Inclusive Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (ESCAP/78/26/Add.1)
- From gross domestic product to well-being and sustainability: means and measures (ESCAP/78/27)
- Annual reports of international and intergovernmental organizations provided to the Commission (ESCAP/78/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 Commission will then consider each sub-item in order. 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 under the relevant sub-item.
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 10, 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 2021–2022 (ESCAP/78/6)
(b) Report of the Ninth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (ESCAP/78/7);
(c) Report of the Governing Council of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization on its seventh session (ESCAP/78/10);
(d) Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management on its sixth session (ESCAP/78/12)
(e) Regional Plan of Action on Sand and Dust Storms in the Asian and Pacific Region (ESCAP/78/12/Add.1)
(f) Report of the Ministerial Conference on Transport on its fourth session (ESCAP/78/15)
(g) Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology on its seventeenth session (ESCAP/78/18);
(h) Report of the Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development on its sixteenth session (ESCAP/78/23);
(i) Report of the Governing Council of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific on its seventeenth session (ESCAP/78/25)
(j) Report of the Second Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/26).
Take note of the following documents:
(a) Summary of progress in the implementation of Commission resolutions (ESCAP/78/5)
(b) Key social development issues for consideration in 2022 (ESCAP/78/8)
(c) Report on seventh session of the Working Group on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2013-2022) (ESCAP/78/9)
(d) Opportunities for reaching carbon neutrality in the Asia-Pacific Region (ESCAP/78/11)
(e) Asia-Pacific Riskscape at1.5o C: subregional pathways for adaptation and resilience (ESCAP/78/13)
(f) Implementing the global road map for accelerated action on Sustainable Development Goal 7 in the Asia-Pacific region (ESCAP/78/14)
(g) Efficient and resilient transport and logistics network in support of the supply chains connectivity (ESCAP/78/16)
(h) Economic Policies for Inclusive Recovery and Development in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/17)
(i) Report of the Interim Intergovernmental Steering Group on Cross-border Paperless Trade Facilitation on its seventh session (ESCAP/78/19)
(j) Report of the Paperless Trade Council of the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific on its first session (ESCAP/78/20)
(k) Leveraging trade and investment to help address climate action in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/21)
(l) Policies to enable business innovation for inclusive and sustainable development (ESCAP/78/22)
(m) Digital cooperation for an inclusive digital society (ESCAP/78/24)
(n) From gross domestic product to well-being and sustainability: means and measures (ESCAP/78/27)
(o) Annual reports of international and intergovernmental organizations provided to the Commission (ESCAP/78/INF/1)
The Commission is expected to endorse the Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/15/Add.1) and the Regional Action Programme for Sustainable Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific (2022-2026) (ESCAP/78/15/Add.2) through a resolution.
The Commission is expected to endorse the Ministerial Declaration on Building a More Resilient Future with Inclusive Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (ESCAP/78/26/Add.1) through a resolution.
Agenda item 5: Management issues
Supporting documents:
- Proposed programme plan for 2023 (ESCAP/78/28)
- Overview of partnerships, extrabudgetary contributions and capacity development (ESCAP/78/29)
- Report on the evaluation activities of the Commission during the biennium 2020–2021 (ESCAP/78/30)
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 2023.
Under agenda item 5 (b), members and associate members will have the opportunity to announce their intended contributions for 2022. Delegations intending to pledge contributions are requested to complete and submit the pledging form available on the Commission website.
Under agenda item 5(c), the Commission will consider the report on the evaluation activities of the Commission during the biennium 2020–2021.
Under agenda item 10, it is anticipated the Commission will adopt decisions to:
(a) Endorse the proposed programme plan for 2023;
(c) Take note of the pledges and thank members and associate members for their pledges; and
(c) Take note of the report on the evaluation activities of the Commission during the biennium 2020–2021.
Agenda item 6: Review of the conference structure of the Commission pursuant to resolution 73/1
Supporting document:
Review of the conference structure of the Commission pursuant to resolution 73/1 (ESCAP/78/31)
Agenda item 6 of the provisional agenda will review the conference structure of the Commission pursuant to resolution 73/1.
The Commission is invited to consider the recommendations concerning the conference structure of the Commission pertaining to the subsidiary bodies of the Commission, and in particular the terms of reference of the committees, the areas to be mainstreamed into their work and the list of the primary issues to be addressed, and to provide guidance on any changes to the conference structure that may be required.
The Commission is expected to adopt a resolution to update the conference structure of the Commission.
Agenda item 7: Activities of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission
Supporting document:
Report of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission (ESCAP/78/32)
Agenda item 7 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 10, 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 8: Dates and venue of and theme topic for the seventy-ninth session of the Commission (2023)
Supporting document:
Dates, venue and theme topic for the seventy-ninth session of the Commission (2023) (ESCAP/78/33)
Under agenda item 8 of the provisional agenda, the Commission will decide on the dates and venue of the seventy-ninth session of the Commission, to be held in 2023, 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 10, it is anticipated the Commission will adopt a decision fixing the dates of its seventy-ninth session to be held in May 2023. Through the same decision the Commission will determine the theme for its seventy-ninth session.
Agenda item 9: Other matters
Agenda item 9 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.
The Commission will also announce the result of the elections for the Governing Councils of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management, the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific, the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development and the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization.
Agenda item 10: Adoption of the report of the Commission on its seventy-eighth session.
Supporting documents:
1) Draft report to be adopted by the Commission: Organization of the seventy-eighth session of the Commission (ESCAP/78/L.3)
2) Draft report to be adopted by the Commission: Statement of programme budget implication of actions and proposals of the Commission (ESCAP/78/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 10, the Commission will consider for adoption the report of its seventy-eighth 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.