FOURTEENTH UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL CARTOGRAPHIC CONFERENCE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC IN BANGKOK, 3-7 FEBRUARY

4 February 1997

Press Release
DEV/2133

FOURTEENTH UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL CARTOGRAPHIC CONFERENCE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC IN BANGKOK, 3-7 FEBRUARY

19970204 Conference Focuses on Cartography Development to Support Implementation of Agenda 21 for Region

NEW YORK, 4 February (DDSMS) -- The Fourteenth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific, which commenced Monday, 3 February, in Bangkok, is focusing on the contribution of surveying, mapping and charting in support of the implementation of Agenda 21 and other multinational environmental agreements. The Conference also serves as a focal point for regional cooperation and transfer of technology and expertise. The Conference is being serviced by the Department for Development Support and Management Services (DDSMS) which provides substantive inputs, as well as by staff of the Office of Conference Services from United Nations Headquarters and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Held at the headquarters of ESCAP, the Conference is convened pursuant to Economic and Social Council decision 1994/2288 of 14 July 1994. The Conference provides a regional forum for government officials, planners, scientists and experts from Asia and the Pacific and other regions in which to address common needs, problems and experiences in the field of surveying and mapping, cartography, hydrography, remote sensing, land and geographical information systems, including educational and training aspects, scientific and technological requirements, implementation issues and benefits.

The welcoming message from the Under-Secretary-General for Development Support and Management Services, Jin Yongjian, which was read out at the opening session of the conference, stressed how recent changes in technology and communication can now make the use of cartography as a feasible tool for national, regional and global sustainable development strategy, where focus has now shifted from local and national issues and problems towards those with regional and global impact.

The Conference elected the Administrator, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Republic of the Philippines, Jose Solis as President. Attending the Conference are 145 delegates from 26 countries of the Asian and Pacific region, as well as delegates form Europe, North America, the Middle East and representatives of international scientific organizations. The Session concludes on 7 February.

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