FOCUS ON REVITALIZATION, SOCIAL CRISES/CHALLENGES
UN/ESCAP 58TH ANNUAL COMMSSION SESSION

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- Critical social development goals such as poverty alleviation, employment expansion and social integration as well as information and communication technology for social empowerment of the rural poor will be the main focus for discussion at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) 58th annual session from 16 to 22 May 2002.

This year's theme topic is "Sustainable social development in a period of rapid globalization: Challenges, opportunities and policy options". Ministers and senior officials from 61 member and associate member countries and territories of ESCAP are expected to participate in the Commission session.

Delegates are also expected to discuss the implications of recent economic and social developments in the region and recommend policy responses. Other topics of the agenda include regional economic cooperation, environment and natural resources development, transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure development; statistics and least developed, landlocked and island developing countries.

An important item on this Commission session's agenda relates to the restructuring of the Commission focus and direction.

A special feature of this year's session will be a Ministerial Round Table to enable the Ministers to exchange views on UN ESCAP reform with Mr. Kim Hak-Su as the moderator of the round table. They will advise the 'next steps' to successfully implement the revitalization package, and the modalities for securing additional funding for UN ESCAP's programmes and activities.

The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2002 will serve as the main background document for general debate at the Commission session. The Survey was launched simultaneously in 14 capital cities of the region on the 26 April 2002. This year's Survey gives a preliminary assessment of activities aimed at reaching the millennium development goals adopted at the Millennium Summit in September 2000. It examines official development assistance (ODA) with a particular focus on economic and technical cooperation among developing countries in the region.

The Commission will be divided into two segments: the Senior Officials Segment (16-18 May 2002) and the Ministerial (20-22 May2002).

NOTE TO EDITORS

You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend all sessions starting from Thursday, 16 May at 9:00 AM to Wednesday, 22 May 2002 at the United Nations Conference Centre, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue.

A detailed programme will be issued tomorrow.

Please kindly be informed that there will be facilities available for journalists covering the sessions in the Press Suite, Ground Floor of UNCC.
For those who do not have the media accreditation yet or has expired , please kindly do so, as soon as possible, by contacting UNIS.

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