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UNESCAP
eNews Bulletin United Nations Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific |
March 2004
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UNESCAP and UN-Habitat commit to partnership
UNESCAP and UN-HABITAT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, 26 February 2004 in a bid to ensure the two organizations work more effectively towards reducing urban poverty. UNESCAP Executive Secretary, Mr. Kim Hak-Su, and Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, represented the two organizations. "The collaboration is imperative for the UN to effectively meet the Millennium Development Goals, including the challenge of approximately 800 million people still living in poverty in Asia and the Pacific," said Mr. Kim. Joint projects between UNESCAP and UN-HABITAT are already planned for this year, including a Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries to be held in Shanghai, China, in April before UNESCAP's 60th Commission Session. UN-HABITAT, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is the UN agency responsible for human settlements.
UNESCAP and UN-HABITAT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, 26 February 2004 in a bid to ensure the two organizations work more effectively towards reducing urban poverty. UNESCAP Executive Secretary, Mr. Kim Hak-Su, and Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, represented the two organizations. "The collaboration is imperative for the UN to effectively meet the Millennium Development Goals, including the challenge of approximately 800 million people still living in poverty in Asia and the Pacific," said Mr. Kim. Joint projects between UNESCAP and UN-HABITAT are already planned for this year, including a Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries to be held in Shanghai, China, in April before UNESCAP's 60th Commission Session. UN-HABITAT, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is the UN agency responsible for human settlements.
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Facilitating trade Post-Cancún
The Trade and Investment Division (TID) of UNESCAP is gearing up for a range of initiatives in the Post-Cancún trading environment in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Between 30 – 31 March, up to 40 participants from trade organizations, WTO member and prospective member countries will gather in Bangkok for the Regional Policy Dialogue on the Post-Cancún Regional Trading Environment. A follow-up Policy Dialogue will be held from 31 March to 1 April aimed at Facilitating the Accession of Developing Countries to the World Trade Organization. Key issues on the agenda include analysis of ongoing regional trade liberalization efforts and the social and economic ramifications of WTO accession.
The Trade and Investment Division (TID) of UNESCAP is gearing up for a range of initiatives in the Post-Cancún trading environment in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Between 30 – 31 March, up to 40 participants from trade organizations, WTO member and prospective member countries will gather in Bangkok for the Regional Policy Dialogue on the Post-Cancún Regional Trading Environment. A follow-up Policy Dialogue will be held from 31 March to 1 April aimed at Facilitating the Accession of Developing Countries to the World Trade Organization. Key issues on the agenda include analysis of ongoing regional trade liberalization efforts and the social and economic ramifications of WTO accession.
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UNESCAP gearing for major events
Preparations are currently under way at UNESCAP for the 60th annual Commission Session and the launch of the 2004 Economic and Social Survey, two of the most significant events of the year. Regional government ministers and representatives from international organizations will attend the Commission Session, scheduled to take place from 22-28 April in Shanghai, China. Special guests expected to participate include UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, and at least six former heads of state. The Survey, which will provide the economic forecast for 2004 in the Asia-Pacific region, will be launched at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Hong Kong on 16 April.
Preparations are currently under way at UNESCAP for the 60th annual Commission Session and the launch of the 2004 Economic and Social Survey, two of the most significant events of the year. Regional government ministers and representatives from international organizations will attend the Commission Session, scheduled to take place from 22-28 April in Shanghai, China. Special guests expected to participate include UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, and at least six former heads of state. The Survey, which will provide the economic forecast for 2004 in the Asia-Pacific region, will be launched at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Hong Kong on 16 April.
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Cyclone-related disaster strategy under review
The thirty-first session of the Panel on Tropical Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea in Sri Lanka will evaluate its 2003 activities and set priorities for the coming year. The session, organized by UNESCAP and the World Meterological Organization (WMO), will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 1 to 6 March. A review of the Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea will be high on the agenda, along with a one-day conference on Improved Cyclone-related Forecasting Services and Disaster Combating Strategies. Panel Members are expected to provide a brief assessment of achievements in national efforts to mitigate socio-economic impacts of cyclone-related disasters in the past decade and strategies for the future.
The thirty-first session of the Panel on Tropical Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea in Sri Lanka will evaluate its 2003 activities and set priorities for the coming year. The session, organized by UNESCAP and the World Meterological Organization (WMO), will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 1 to 6 March. A review of the Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea will be high on the agenda, along with a one-day conference on Improved Cyclone-related Forecasting Services and Disaster Combating Strategies. Panel Members are expected to provide a brief assessment of achievements in national efforts to mitigate socio-economic impacts of cyclone-related disasters in the past decade and strategies for the future.
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Public-private partnerships to benefit the poor
Between 20 and 30 participants are expected to attend the Expert Group Meeting on Documenting Innovative Practices in Pro-Poor Public-Private Partnerships organized by the Poverty and Development Division (PDD) of UNESCAP from 24-26 March. Economic experts from academia, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector and international organizations will meet in the northern Thailand city of Chiang Mai to discuss ways to cultivate private-public partnerships that benefit the poor. The meeting will push forward UNESCAP’s work in documenting best practices in public-private partnerships through evaluation of case studies.
Between 20 and 30 participants are expected to attend the Expert Group Meeting on Documenting Innovative Practices in Pro-Poor Public-Private Partnerships organized by the Poverty and Development Division (PDD) of UNESCAP from 24-26 March. Economic experts from academia, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector and international organizations will meet in the northern Thailand city of Chiang Mai to discuss ways to cultivate private-public partnerships that benefit the poor. The meeting will push forward UNESCAP’s work in documenting best practices in public-private partnerships through evaluation of case studies.
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EGM to develop Euro-Asian transport linkages
The First Expert Group Meeting on Developing Euro-Asian Transport Linkages will be held in Almaty, Kazakstan between 9–11 March. Organized by UNESCAP and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the meeting will bring together representatives from 18 countries located on the Euro-Asian land bridge, as well as delegates from international organizations active in transport development, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Union of Railways, and the Islamic Development Bank. The aim is to review the current status of transport linkages at the regional, sub-regional and national levels, and to discuss the further development of these linkages.
The First Expert Group Meeting on Developing Euro-Asian Transport Linkages will be held in Almaty, Kazakstan between 9–11 March. Organized by UNESCAP and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the meeting will bring together representatives from 18 countries located on the Euro-Asian land bridge, as well as delegates from international organizations active in transport development, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Union of Railways, and the Islamic Development Bank. The aim is to review the current status of transport linkages at the regional, sub-regional and national levels, and to discuss the further development of these linkages.
Up-coming
Events
- United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace (8 March)
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March)
- World
Day for Water (22 March)
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World Meteorological Day (23 March)
- Launch of the UNESCAP Economic and Social Survey (Hong Kong, 16 April)
- 60th UNESCAP Commission Session (22-28 April)
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