..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date 17 March 2006
Press Release No: G/CS62/2006/1

ASIA-PACIFIC BUSINESS FORUM SET FOR 7-8 APRIL IN JAKARTA

Speakers include Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and UNCTAD’s Supachai Panitchpakdi

Meeting to focus on public, private sectors working together to ensure
sustainable economic and social development

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) – Some of Asia-Pacific’s most prominent leaders in the public and private sectors are scheduled to participate in the Third Asia-Pacific Business Forum (APBF 2006) to be held from 7-8 April at the Jakarta Convention Centre, Jakarta, Indonesia.

The President of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, former Malaysian Prime Minister, Hon. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, and UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi are among a host of high-profile speakers who will discuss their ideas on how the public and private sectors could work together to ensure sustainable economic and social development in the region.

Over 400 corporate decision makers as well as representatives of Government and civil society are also expected to attend the event, which will be held under the theme, ‘Public-Private Partnerships for Development in Asia and the Pacific.’

APBF 2006 is organized by UNESCAP in close collaboration with the Government of Indonesia, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), and the International Chamber of Commerce, Indonesia.

According to UNESCAP Executive Secretary Kim Hak-Su, the Asia-Pacific Business Forum provides a unique opportunity for business, government and civil society in the region to jointly discuss how to create an enabling environment for sustainable development.

“Development of ICT and transport infrastructure, skilled trade negotiations, and environmentally sustainable technologies are critical for economic growth and this can only be achieved through strong public-private partnerships. UNESCAP is working to achieve the United Nations Development Goals. Active private sector engagement will reinforce these efforts,” Mr. Kim notes.

Plenary sessions will discuss the role of public-private partnerships in overcoming impediments to development such as Pacific island connectivity through group negotiations and concerted partnerships.

Six breakout sessions will also be held where senior business and government representatives and leading academics will discuss such topics as how public and private sectors could benefit from cooperation in the field of transport and ICT infrastructure development; poverty reduction; green business growth; trade negotiations and implementation of corporate social responsibility.

The APBF is the only UNESCAP region-wide forum for dialogue between governments, private sector, and civil society. AS such, the Forum offers a platform for business and civil society sector to express their views and concerns regarding regional policy making.

APBF 2006 is being organized back-to-back with the 62nd UNESCAP Commission Session and will be open to policy makers, business representatives, civil society and academia from across the Asian and Pacific region.

On-line registration for APBF 2006 as well as additional information on the meeting is available on the UNESCAP web-page at www.unescap.org/apbf.

Headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) is the largest of the UN's five Regional Commissions, in terms of population served and area covered. The only inter-governmental forum covering the entire Asia-Pacific region, it aims to promote economic activity and social progress in the developing countries of the Asian and Pacific region. More information is available at www.unescap.org.

For further information on APBF 2006, please contact:
Ms. Sarah Mueller
Trade and Investment Division
Tel: +(66-2) 288-2573
Fax: +(66-2) 288-1026
E-mail: muellers@un.org

For media inquiries, please contact:
Mr. David Lazarus, Chief
United Nations Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1862/66
Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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