 |
UNESCAP
eNews Bulletin United Nations Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific |
September 2003
 |
| The UNCC in Bangkok. |
Health, Millenium
Development Goals to dominate phase II of UNESCAP's 59th Commission Session
HIV/AIDS and poverty will be the focus of UNESCAP’s 59th annual Commission Session (second phase), to be held at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok from 1-4 September. Health and poverty are high on the agenda according to this year's theme of “Integrating economic and social concerns, especially HIV/AIDS, in meeting the needs of the region”. Delegates are expected to discuss implications of recent economic and social developments in the region, and recommend policy responses in the areas of poverty reduction, managing globalization and emerging social issues. Special guests include: the President of Botswana, H.E. Festus Mogae, UN Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Asia, Dr. Nafis Sadik, Australia’s Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Miles Kupa, and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Korn Dabbaransi.
HIV/AIDS and poverty will be the focus of UNESCAP’s 59th annual Commission Session (second phase), to be held at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok from 1-4 September. Health and poverty are high on the agenda according to this year's theme of “Integrating economic and social concerns, especially HIV/AIDS, in meeting the needs of the region”. Delegates are expected to discuss implications of recent economic and social developments in the region, and recommend policy responses in the areas of poverty reduction, managing globalization and emerging social issues. Special guests include: the President of Botswana, H.E. Festus Mogae, UN Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Asia, Dr. Nafis Sadik, Australia’s Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Miles Kupa, and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Korn Dabbaransi.
 |
UNESCAP/ AusAID
to launch HIV/AIDS kit
As part of the 59th Commission Session, UNESCAP and AusAID will launch three new publications designed to help governments respond better to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the region. Mr. Kim Hak-Su, UNESCAP Executive Secretary, and the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Miles Kupa, will present the troika at a media launch on 2 September at the UNCC, Bangkok. The focus of the launch will be Asia’s emerging health crises and the response required to prevent similar crises in future. The central publication in the compendium is an in-depth study of the status and ramifications of the HIV/AIDS pandemic for the entire UNESCAP region. AusAID is the Australian Governmnet's overseas aid program.
As part of the 59th Commission Session, UNESCAP and AusAID will launch three new publications designed to help governments respond better to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the region. Mr. Kim Hak-Su, UNESCAP Executive Secretary, and the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Miles Kupa, will present the troika at a media launch on 2 September at the UNCC, Bangkok. The focus of the launch will be Asia’s emerging health crises and the response required to prevent similar crises in future. The central publication in the compendium is an in-depth study of the status and ramifications of the HIV/AIDS pandemic for the entire UNESCAP region. AusAID is the Australian Governmnet's overseas aid program.
 |
| Mr. Kim observes silence with UN staff. |
Iraq bomb a
“bitter blow to the United Nations”
In a sombre ceremony on Wednesday 20th of August, UN staffers based in Bangkok observed a minute's silence in memory of their colleagues who died in the attack on the UN offices in Iraq. "Today is a sad day for the United Nations,” said Mr Kim Hak-Su, the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP. “This savage act of violence, a bomb explosion at the UN Office at Baghdad yesterday killed several of our colleagues including Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN Special Representative in Iraq. At last report, at least 100 staff and other civilians were injured," he said. Mr. Ti Le-Huu, Chairman of UNESCAP Staff Council, expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of colleagues who lost their lives.
In a sombre ceremony on Wednesday 20th of August, UN staffers based in Bangkok observed a minute's silence in memory of their colleagues who died in the attack on the UN offices in Iraq. "Today is a sad day for the United Nations,” said Mr Kim Hak-Su, the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP. “This savage act of violence, a bomb explosion at the UN Office at Baghdad yesterday killed several of our colleagues including Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN Special Representative in Iraq. At last report, at least 100 staff and other civilians were injured," he said. Mr. Ti Le-Huu, Chairman of UNESCAP Staff Council, expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of colleagues who lost their lives.
 |
Special body on least
developed and landlocked countries to meet at UNESCAP this month. |
Special bodies
to meet at UNESCAP
September is shaping up to be a busy month at UNESCAP with the meeting of two special bodies during the first week. The first session of the Committee on Emerging Social Issues will take place from 4-6 September and will consider issues relating to population, persons with disabilities, gender, and health and development. Key guests include Senator Eita Yashiro from Japan, Bangladeshi scholar Naila Kabeer, and India’s Permanent Secretary for Health, J.V.R. Prasada Rao. From 1-2 September the sixth session of the Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries is scheduled. The Body will bring together representatives from 25 least developed and landlocked developing countries to discuss trade and development initiatives. For more information, please visit www.unescap.org
September is shaping up to be a busy month at UNESCAP with the meeting of two special bodies during the first week. The first session of the Committee on Emerging Social Issues will take place from 4-6 September and will consider issues relating to population, persons with disabilities, gender, and health and development. Key guests include Senator Eita Yashiro from Japan, Bangladeshi scholar Naila Kabeer, and India’s Permanent Secretary for Health, J.V.R. Prasada Rao. From 1-2 September the sixth session of the Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries is scheduled. The Body will bring together representatives from 25 least developed and landlocked developing countries to discuss trade and development initiatives. For more information, please visit www.unescap.org
|
| Nepal's tourism trade to help reduce poverty. |
Poverty alleviation
in Nepal through tourism
A regional UNESCAP seminar from 26-28 August outlined effective strategies to spread the monetary benefits of Nepal’s tourism industry to poor communities, especially the rural population. The Kathmandu Seminar on Poverty Alleviation Through Sustainable Tourism Development brought together delegates from international organizations, tourism bodies and representatives from at least 23 regional government tourism agencies to discuss practical ways to help the estimated 42 percent of Nepal’s population currently living in poverty. The Seminar recommended involving rural communities in tourism, learning from successful sister programs in other countries, and identifying types of tourism already contributing to poverty alleviation.
A regional UNESCAP seminar from 26-28 August outlined effective strategies to spread the monetary benefits of Nepal’s tourism industry to poor communities, especially the rural population. The Kathmandu Seminar on Poverty Alleviation Through Sustainable Tourism Development brought together delegates from international organizations, tourism bodies and representatives from at least 23 regional government tourism agencies to discuss practical ways to help the estimated 42 percent of Nepal’s population currently living in poverty. The Seminar recommended involving rural communities in tourism, learning from successful sister programs in other countries, and identifying types of tourism already contributing to poverty alleviation.
 |
UNESCAP promotes
participation of women with disabilities
As part of the UN’s global effort to advocate the adoption of an International Convention on Promoting and Protecting the Rights and Dignity of Disabled Persons, a regional training workshop for women with disabilities was organized by the Emerging Social Issues Division at UNESCAP between the 18-22 of August. Delegates to the Bangkok workshop were trained in advocacy skills to allow them to actively participating in the national, regional and international campaign to establish the international convention. The recommendations from the workshop will contribute towards the global sessions of the "Ad Hoc Committee for the Comprehensive and Integrated International Convention on Protecting and Promoting the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities".
UNESCAP Calendar
As part of the UN’s global effort to advocate the adoption of an International Convention on Promoting and Protecting the Rights and Dignity of Disabled Persons, a regional training workshop for women with disabilities was organized by the Emerging Social Issues Division at UNESCAP between the 18-22 of August. Delegates to the Bangkok workshop were trained in advocacy skills to allow them to actively participating in the national, regional and international campaign to establish the international convention. The recommendations from the workshop will contribute towards the global sessions of the "Ad Hoc Committee for the Comprehensive and Integrated International Convention on Protecting and Promoting the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities".
UNESCAP Calendar
-
Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries, sixth session (Bangkok, 1-2 September)
-
59th UNESCAP Commission Session, Second Phase (Bangkok, 1-4 September)
-
Launch of joint AusAid/ UNESCAP HIV/ AIDS advocacy kit (Bangkok, 2 September)
-
First session of the Committee on Emerging Social Issues (Bangkok, 4-6 September)
- International Literacy Day (8 September)
- The Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancún (Mexico, 10-14 September)
- International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer (16 September)
For further event details, please visit
UNESCAP at: www.unescap.org
UN
News Centre
|
UN
Works
|
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily
reflect the official views or policies of the United Nations. The information
contained herein may be freely reproduced.
UNESCAP eNews Bulletin is edited and published by the United Nations Information
Services/Bangkok.
Telephone: (+662) 288 1234 : Fax: (+662) 288 1052 : E-mail: unisbbk.unescap@un.org