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

Date 15 May 2007
Press Release No. L/16/2007/CS63/5

Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries
Eighth Session

15-16 May 2007
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Statement by Mr. Kim Hak-Su
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Excellencies,
Distinguished Representatives,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this eighth session of the Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries.

At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation to H.E. Mr. Serik N. Akhmetov, Minister of Transport and Communications, Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, for kindly agreeing to deliver a keynote speech at this meeting. I would also like to express our deep gratitude to the Government of  Kazakhstan  for  hosting  this  session of the Special Body in this beautiful city of Almaty as well as generously sponsoring the participation of representatives from all 14 least developed countries of the Asia-Pacific region in this meeting.

Excellencies and Distinguished Representatives,

As you are aware, the Special Body is an intergovernmental body, established to give high priority to the concerns of the least developed and landlocked developing countries of the region.  It serves as a platform for calling attention to the special needs of these countries and soliciting support from other members of the Commission. 

This year, the Special Body on LDCs and LLDCs will discuss two substantive agenda items that are very pertinent and timely to its member States: the first item will be inter-country energy cooperation; and the second international migration and development in least developed and landlocked developing countries.    I am sure the discussions on these agenda items will produce valuable insights and recommendations that would benefit the LDCs and LLDCs of the UNESCAP region.

Excellencies and Distinguished Representatives,

Allow me to share with you some of my thoughts on these two substantive topics.

Regarding inter-country energy cooperation, you would agree with me that energy security continues to be a major concern in the Asia-Pacific region, given the increasing energy demand in the region, combined with high and volatile oil prices.  Moreover, access to energy services has been widely recognized as a major developmental challenge and this was re-emphasized in the World Summit 2005.

High oil prices have also put considerable pressure on the oil-importing least developed and landlocked developing countries in our region. It is important to note that the volatile oil   prices  have  also   affected    the  oil-exporting   landlocked developing countries especially due to unpredictable exports revenues.  These have raised serious concerns about the sustainability of economic growth for least developed and landlocked developing countries.

This year’s Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific pointed out that the developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region have achieved impressive economic growth rates. This also extends to many of the least developed and landlocked developing countries in the region. Strong economic growth along with considerable unmet energy needs will mean a significant increase in energy demand in the future. In this context, access to energy services, especially for the poor, is a major concern in least developed countries.

In many least developed countries only a small proportion of the population has access to modern energy sources. In most of these countries, the bulk of the energy demand is met through traditional energy sources. Although access to commercial energy has been increasing, it is likely to be used by the more affluent sections of the population. This raises the need for policies to widen access to modern energy sources for the poorer sections of society.

Inter-country energy cooperation can play an important role in addressing energy constraints in the Asia-Pacific region, having both energy-importing and energy-exporting least developed and landlocked countries in the region. Resource-rich least developed and landlocked developing countries could benefit from exporting their resources to the regional energy markets, while resource-poor countries could benefit from better access to energy supplies.

During this meeting of the Special Body, you may wish to propose strategies for improving energy access in the region and to  explore  the  possibilities  for  energy  cooperation within the region. I would like to urge both developed and developing countries of the region to reiterate their commitments towards assisting the least developed and landlocked developing countries by extending, whenever possible, these proposed measures.

Excellencies and Distinguished Representatives,

Now allow me to share with you my views on the second substantive agenda item of this meeting, which is “International Migration and Development in Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries: Challenges and Opportunities”.

International migration from many least developed and landlocked developing countries has become an intrinsic part of their development and also a source of income for poor workers. It is increasingly considered as a development finance tool  that  can  contribute  to  the  achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs.

International migration in least developed and landlocked developing countries in Asia and the Pacific takes a variety of forms and there are a number of issues to be looked at.  A large number of people from these countries migrate to the traditional countries of immigration or relatively affluent neighboring countries where job opportunities exist.  At the same time, many least developed and landlocked countries themselves are witnessing the influx of a growing number of migrants. Conflicts and natural disasters have displaced thousands of civilians both inside and outside the country.

For some least developed and landlocked developing countries, international migration has become an important feature of their social and economic system. This can be turned into  an  opportunity  by  considering  remittances as a source of  development finance.

The safety and well-being of migrants in destination countries are a major concern to the countries of origin. Hence, international agreements relating to international migration are important tools to manage the interests of all the concerned parties. Better management of temporary movement through official channels to receiving countries can reduce illegal migration and facilitate the integration of those workers in receiving countries. In this regard, I would again urge the Special Body to discuss economic and social implications of international migration and suggest workable recommendations which would lead to a win-win situation for both to workers sending and recipient countries.   

Excellencies and Distinguished Representatives,

It was four years ago in 2003 that the Almaty Programme of Action, a comprehensive action plan addressing transit issues  for landlocked and transit developing countries, was endorsed. The General Assembly in its resolution has recently mandated the United Nations to conduct a global mid-term review of the progress and implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action in September 2008 and has also requested the regional commissions to conduct a mid-term review at the regional level. In this regard, I am happy to inform the Special Body that ESCAP has already initiated the process of the review. This afternoon, the secretariat will provide a detailed briefing on the preparation of the regional review.

Excellencies and Distinguished Representatives,

It is my sincere hope that during the next two days you will constructively discuss the substantive issues as contained in the two substantive documents and come up with recommendations to strengthen partnerships for improving the living conditions of the   poor    in  least     developed  and   landlocked    developing countries.

Excellencies and Distinguished Representatives,

Let me reassure the Special Body that ESCAP, as the Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific, is committed to promote strategic partnerships in supporting the cause of least developed and landlocked developing countries.

I am looking forward to hearing the views of the distinguished delegates on these substantive issues or any other aspect of the secretariat’s activities for the benefit of LDCs and LLDCs.  I wish you every success in your deliberations.

Thank you.