The 69th Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific was held in Bangkok from 25 April  to 1 May 2013. My colleagues and I attended the annual week-long meetings of ESCAP that covered and tackled  the most pressing issues and challenges of the subregion and the region of Asia-Pacific. During her opening remarks,  Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP noted the 17 resolutions proposed by the member States, which  indicate the significance and high relevance of the Commission as the common platform to discuss regional issues.