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

Date 21 May 2007
Press Release No. G/17/2007/CS63/21

Asia-Pacific Ministers Overwhelmingly Support MDG "Road Map"

Plan Aims to Help “Off-track” Countries Achieve Goals by 2015

Almaty (United Nations Information Services, Bangkok)—Government ministers from across the Asia-Pacific region have expressed support to a “road map” which aims to help the poor countries lagging behind to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

The blue-print, set out by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), was discussed at its annual ministerial meeting which opened today in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Under-Secretary-General of United Nations and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, applauded the commitment from the member states. The objective of the plan, Mr. Kim said, was “to add value to national-level strategies and processes”, targeting those “‘off-track’ countries and those below the ‘Asian average’”.

A paper presented by UNESCAP to the Commission session says that “not all developing countries are making adequate progress towards achieving the goals; and none are presently on track to meet all the goals by 2015”.

The road map aims to have all countries ‘marginally’ off-track to be back on-track towards reaching MDGs by 2009, those ‘moderately’ off-track to be in line by 2011, and those in the ‘severely’ off-track category on target by the end of 2013.

The road map proposes a multi-track approach, including enhancing MDG-related legislations and strengthening partnerships, such as the existing partnership between UNESCAP, UN Development Programme, and the Asian Development Bank on promoting MDGs. It emphasizes the involvement of all the stakeholders – the government, the private sector, non-government organizations (NGOs), research and academic institutes, and international organizations.

The proposals are intended to be fed into national development strategies which need to be monitored and evaluated as well as to be fully resourced. The road map also calls for regional cooperation to help off-track countries with capacity development, expertise, resources and advocacy.

There was overwhelming support from ministers at the meeting.  The Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, Mr. Mendsaikhan Enkhasaikhan, commended UNESCAP for the initiative. He said the proposed Regional Road Map to 2015 would “serve as a platform for region-wide action” and pledged full support and active cooperation from Mongolia in its implementation.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities of Vanuatu, Mr. Edward Natapei, said his government was encouraged “to see the high level of commitment by UN agencies at all levels”. He said his government endorsed the road map and the recommendations put forward.

Mr. Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, said the road map laid a good foundation and provided “a unique opportunity for all nations to coordinate and redouble their efforts aimed at achieving the MDGs by 2015.” 
 
“Your commitment is vital to the regional road map”, Mr. Kim told the ministers. “2007 marks the midway point to 2015. It is important that the countries come together to ensure the targets are met,” he said.

The road-map is expected to be endorsed by the Commission session when it concludes on Wednesday 23 May.

Further information on the MDG road map is available at:  http://www.unescap.org/EDC/English/Commissions/E63/E63_2E.pdf

For media inquires, please contact:  

In Almaty

Mr. Hak-Fan Lau, Chief
UN Information Services Bangkok          
Almaty mobile: +(7 705) 168 1553.               
Fax: +(7-327) 244-2847
Email: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

Mr. Hak-Fan Lau, Chief, United Nations Information Services
In Almaty:  tel. +(7-705) 168-1553   ♦  fax: +(7-327) 244-2847
Email: unisbkk.unescap@un.org
http://www.unescap.org/63/index_media.asp.

Mr. Vlastimil Samek, Representative, Department of Public Information
United Nations Secretariat
Almaty
Tel. +(7-327) 258 26543
Email: dpi.kz@undp.org

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Headquartered in Bangkok, UNESCAP is the largest of the UN's five Regional Commissions in terms of its membership, population served and area covered. The only inter-governmental forum covering the entire Asia-Pacific region, UNESCAP aims to promote economic and social progress. More information on UNESCAP is available from www.unescap.org