Threats to human, regional security from HIV/AIDS and urbanization of poverty to get high priority at upcoming ESCAP 57th Commission Session

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- In the next two or three decades a majority of the region's population is expected to live in urban areas posing enormous challenges to povetry alleviation. "In fact if the disparities are not reduced they can pose a threat to the stability of the nation." says Mr Kim Hak-Su , ESCAP's  Executive Secretary on the eve of the 57th Commission Session.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 57th annual Commission Session will be held from19 to 25 April 2001. This year’s theme topic is “Balanced development of urban and rural areas and regions within the countries of Asia and the Pacific.”
 
Access to infrastructure and services, opportunities for socio-economic mobility and control over natural resources and local development will be other topics slated for action.

Delegates are expected to discuss implications of recent economic and social developments in the region and recommend policy responses.  Environment and natural resources development; transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure development; statistics and least developed, landlocked and island developing countries are also included on the agenda.
 
Ministers and senior officials from 61 member and associate member countries and territories of ESCAP are expected to participate.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE

The Commission session is divided into two segments:  The Senior Officials’ Segment, 19-21 April and Ministerial Segment,  23-25 April.

The Prime Minister of Thailand H.E. Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra  will  inaugurate the Ministerial  Segment on Monday, 23 April at 9:00 am at the United Nations Conference Centre. He is making his first appearance at  the Bangkok-based UN/ESCAP.

In an unprecedented intervention, two former heads of state from Africa and Thailand, UN Officials and AIDS sufferers will make a plea for action to avert a major health threat to the region on Monday, 23 April from 3 p.m. to  5 p.m. They will make their interventions under the agenda item: Regional Preparations for the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS .

H.E. Mr. Anand Panyarachun, former Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Kenneth Kaunda, former President of Zambia, Ms. Kathleen Cravero, Deputy Executive Director, UNAIDS, and Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of ESCAP will give a press conference after the special session on HIV/AIDs at 5:30 p.m at the Theatre, United Nations Conference Centre on April 23rd.

A Ministerial  Round Table will be held on Tuesday, 24 April 2001, to encourage more substantive and interactive exchange of views among Ministers on the theme topic.

An end-of-session press conference will be held on Wednesday, 25 April at 5:30 p.m., UNCC Theatre,  immediately after adoption of the report .

Photo-call:  Several interesting exhibits will be on display showing the work of ESCAP and highlighting the Commission’s main themes.

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