ESCAP COMMISSION RESOLVES TO INCREASE PRACTICAL EFFORTS TO FIGHT POVERTY AND SOCIAL ILLS
Press Release
ESCAP/256
ESCAP COMMISSION RESOLVES TO INCREASE PRACTICAL EFFORTS TO FIGHT POVERTY AND SOCIAL ILLS
19960426 BANGKOK, 24 April (UN Information Services) -- The fifty-second Commission of the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) ended today with most governments supporting the work of ESCAP and urging the oldest intergovernmental body in the region to continue its reforms.It ended with several practical initiatives such as the enhancement of more youth, non-governmental organizations and media participation in the development process, the invigoration of sub-regional cooperation, the containment of HIV/AIDs, more collateral-free but non-subsidized credit for the rural poor and a Trade Facilitation Information Exchange -- a "one stop address in cyberspace".
The ESCAP was also urged to continue its reforms, and given credit for continuing to play a valuable role in promoting economic and social cooperation.
"Let me urge all stakeholders to continue to try and raise the living standards of everyone in the region," said ESCAP's Executive Secretary, Adrianus Mooy. "Our goal is to expect a cost-effective well-organized ESCAP that addresses high priority issues of its members while eliminating some programmes and reinvesting in new relevant activities."
The Chairperson of the Commission Secretary of State for Social Welfare and Development of the Philippines, Lina Laigo, said "While our policy priorities may vary and our policy prescriptions also differ, the common theme of the need for sustained and sustainable economic growth coupled with significant attention to poverty eradication binds us together".
The week-long meeting attended by 59 Asia-Pacific countries and territories had begun with the launch of the 1996 Economic and Social Survey for Asia and the Pacific. It praised governments for their economic progress but warned that more attention must be paid to poverty, environment, health, women and the disabled.
The fifty-second session adopted 11 resolutions ranging from enhancing Intra-Asia and Asia-Europe land bridges to promoting human resources development among youth. The Commission welcomed the in-house assessment of the Commission's programmes and activities in order to deliver its services effectively to member governments in the face of diminishing resources. The results of the assessment will be reported to the Commission at its fifty- third session next year.
- 2 - Press Release ESCAP/256 26 April 1996
Resolutions also centred around strengthening regional and subregional economic cooperation to enhance the growth of intraregional trade, expansion of intraregional investment flows, development of small- and medium-sized enterprises, economies in transition and inter-subregional linkages.
Intra-Asia and Asia-Europe land bridges to increase international trade and tourism were also noted. Countries were asked to support the Asian Land Transport Infrastructure Development Project, and ESCAP was asked to provide full support for the earliest implementation of the New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development to complete the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway networks, including Asia-Europe links.
China offered to host a regional meeting in 1996 to consider launching the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond in Asia and the Pacific. It also said ESCAP should advise governments on how to enhance youth skills and promote youth participation in development.
Three resolutions called for environmentally sound and sustainable development in the region, for the transfer of technology and environmentally sound and healthy cities, and a regional funding mechanism to implement the Declaration and the Regional Action Programme for Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development 1996-2000 adopted at the Third Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development, held in Bangkok in November 1995.
In a resolution on the regional follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Commission urged all countries to ensure full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for the Advancement of Women.
In spite of the United Nations financial crisis, countries still wanted to avail itself of ESCAP's services, and they also pledged money for its programmes. It endorsed Palau's request to upgrade its associate membership to full, and Turkey's application to be a full member. Member countries pledged a total of $17.45 million for the Commission's 1996 work programme, regional institutions and technical cooperation projects.
On the eve of ESCAP's fiftieth anniversary, China offered to host a three-day symposium on "Development challenges and opportunities for Asia and the Pacific in the twenty-first century and the role of ESCAP" in 1997. Shanghai was the venue for the first meeting in 1947 of the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE), as ESCAP was then known.
The fifty-second Commission session decided that next year's session should be held in Bangkok with the theme topic "Asia and the Pacific into the twenty-first century: Opportunities and challenges for ESCAP".
The venue and theme topic are subject to approval by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the General Assembly, both meeting later this year.
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