October 2003

Commission commits to reducing AIDS and poverty
The second phase of the 59th Commission Session of UNESCAP concluded in early September with firm commitments from members and associate members to urgently address profound social problems in the Asia-Pacific region, including poverty, unemployment, social exclusion and deadly infectious diseases. The Commission, held between 1-4 of September, focused on meeting the challenges of HIV/AIDS and the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Participants adopted four resolutions to promote development in the Asia-Pacific in the presence of special guests H.E. Mr Festus Mogae, the President of Botswana, and Dr Nafis Sadik, the UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia. The 60th Commission Session is scheduled for April 2004 in Shanghai.

UNESCAP celebrates International Day of Peace
Ms Jody William, the 1997 co-laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize, and Mr Bhichai Rattakul, former Rotary International President, presided over the 2003 International Peace Day celebrations on 19 September at UNESCAP. In their addresses, Ms Williams and Mr Bhichai emphasized the continuing role of the UN in monitoring, facilitating and promoting peace around the world. Other highlights of the day included a panel discussion on "The UN Decade of the Culture of Peace and None-violence for the Children of the World 2001-2010: Where Do We Go From Here?" involving representatives from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Thailand's Chulalongkorn University, and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Committee to promote pro-poor policies
The inaugural session of the Committee on Poverty Reduction will meet in Bangkok from 8-10 October. The Committee aims to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals by improving the design and implementation of regional pro-poor policies. An estimated 120 participants from regional Ministries of Finance, Planning, Rural Development, local government officials, national statistical offices and UNESCAP experts in poverty reduction are expected to attend. This month’s meeting follows similar sessions of the Committee on Emerging Social Issues and the Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries held in September.

More women needed in local government
UNESCAP and Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will hold the first Thai National Summit of Women Mayors and Councillors at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok from 2-3 October. Approximately 150 locally elected officials from throughout the country as well as representatives from the United Nations and the Thai government are expected to attend, including Ms. Kanjana Silpa-archa, a prominent Member of Parliament. Participants expect to adopt a national action plan to promote representation of women in Thai local government, an initiative at the heart of social health, according to Mr Kim Hak-Su, the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP.

Cambodia and Nepal join WTO
Cambodia and Nepal are set to become the first least-developed countries to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) following the September meeting of the group in Cancún, Mexico. UNESCAP has been a long-time advocate for the WTO entry of the two countries and has been assisting their efforts through training and education programmes. In a prepared statement, the Trade and Investment Division of UNESCAP welcomed the news, saying both the WTO and its new members will benefit from the partnership. “Being a member of the WTO sends strong signals to the world trading and investment community that a country’s trading regime has had to pass the tests of transparency, fairness and stability. It also enriches the (WTO) system as it...further strengthens the principles of freer and fairer trade.” Cambodia and Nepal still have to ratify their agreements within 30 days to officially join the WTO, but the procedure is expected to be smooth.



UNESCAP Calendar