December 2003

UNESCAP issues economic forecast for 2004
At the end of a turbulent year, UNESCAP will release its latest assessment of the region’s economy. The annual Bulletin on Asia-Pacific Perspectives 2003/2004 will be released by Executive Secretary Mr Kim Hak-Su on 19 December 2003 at the United Nation Conference Centre (UNCC). With the theme Asia-Pacific Economies: Maintaining Dynamism, the Bulletin examines the effects of the SARS epidemic, trade expansion, and implications for SME financing in the region. Issues relating to global and regional interdependence and the promotion of sustainable development are the focus of other articles, providing an overview of the major policy challenges facing countries in managing stable and equitable economic growth and social development.

New technology gets a boost ahead of WSIS
UNESCAP will accord high priority to information, communications technology (ICT) in all its future work programmes in preparation for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005). The announcement was made by Mr Kim Hak-Su, the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, at a meeting of the five Regional Commissions and regional development banks in Geneva on 9 December. "ICT offers enormous opportunities to narrow social and economic inequalities and support sustainable local wealth creation," said Mr Kim. UNESCAP has committed to further collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in working towards universal access to new technology in the Asia-Pacific region.

Combating Human Trafficking in Asia
A resource guide to combating human trafficking in Asia will be launched by UNESCAP on 19 December 2003 at the UNCC in Bangkok. Participants of note include Mr Kim Hak-Su, UNESCAP Executive Secretary, Mr Mohamed Naseer, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Ms Irena Vojackova-Sollorano, International Office of Migration, and Professor Vitit Muntabhorn, Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University. The publication, entitled Combating Human Trafficking in Asia: A Resource Guide to International and Regional Legal Instruments, Political Commitments and Recommendations, portrays trafficking as a multidimensional problem involving various forms of exploitation, including slavery, migration, and gender. It is part of UNESCAP’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the range of legal instruments available to governments to fight human trafficking.

Traffic solutions for Bangkok
Bangkok’s traffic congestion problems came one step closer to a solution on 15 December at a meeting of UNESCAP, Thai Government, and international transport experts. The Seminar on Bus Rapid Transit and Voluntary Travel Behaviour Change was jointly organized by UNESCAP and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) to discuss improvements to Bangkok’s urban public transport and traffic scheme. Special guests included: H.E. Mr Nikorn Chamnong, Deputy Minister of Transport of Thailand, Mr Chitchanok Kemavuthanon, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Mr Poksak Sethabutr, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, Dr Dario Hidalgo, formerly Deputy General Manager of TRANSMILENIO S.A. Bogota, Columbia, and Mr John Pinkard of Steer Davis Gleave, Australia, a leading transport consulting company. The Seminar is part of UNESCAP's Sustainable Urban Transport (SUPT) - Asia Project which aims to promote successful urban transport policies.

Discussing the pros and cons of globalization
The inaugural session of UNESCAP's Committee on Managing Globalization met from 19 to 21 November 2003, bringing together an estimated 140 participants from regional Ministries of Planning, Trade, Transport, Environment, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as well as other relevant organizations. Opened by H.E. Dr Sorajak Kasemsuvan, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Royal Thai Government, the Committee discussed the emerging benefits and challenges of a globalized society, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, transport and tourism, ICT, and environment and sustainable development. "We aim to assist members in seizing new opportunities and minimizing associated costs brought by the globalization process," said a UNESCAP expert.

Pr. Vitit with a reporter.

We want not only rice but also rights!
"Look within to see the world beyond." Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn’s Human Rights Day message was clear as he addressed over 150 representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies and school students at the official observance of the Day on 10 December. With this year's theme focusing on 'Know Your Human Rights' the prominent human rights activist and professor of law at Chulalongkorn University urged governments to place equal emphasis on economic and social rights. "If we have the rights to rice without the right to comment on the quality of the rice, we might get political indigestion," he said. "A balanced diet is called for, which should not be politically, genetically modified!...We want not only rice but also rights!"

UNESCAP Calendar