IMPLICATIONS OF CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, GLOBALIZATION, ECONOMIC SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT ON AGENDA AT ESCAP ANNUAL SESSION
Press Release
REC/38
IMPLICATIONS OF CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, GLOBALIZATION, ECONOMIC SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT ON AGENDA AT ESCAP ANNUAL SESSION
19990419 BANGKOK, 19 April (UN Information Service) -- The ongoing economic crisis and trends relevant to the Asia and Pacific region in the twenty-first century will be the focus of discussions at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) fifty-fifth annual session, from 22 to 28 April in Bangkok, at the United Nations Conference Centre.The theme topic for this year's session is "Asia and Pacific into the twenty-first century: information technology, globalization, economic security and development".
Ministers and senior officials from 60 member and associate member countries and territories of ESCAP are expected to participate in this year's Commission session. The ESCAP is the only region-wide forum in the Asia and Pacific region which meets annually at the ministerial level.
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Bhichai Rattakul, will inaugurate the Ministerial Segment, Monday, 26 April at 9 a.m.
A special feature, to be held on Tuesday, 27 April, will be a panel discussion on the significance of information technology in promoting social and economic development. International experts on the issue are expected to speak. The 1999 Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific, unveiled in Bangkok and other major capitals around the world on 8 April, will serve as the main document for discussion at the forthcoming session of the Commission.
The Commission meets against the backdrop of the current economic crisis that began in Asia in 1997 and has turned out to be more long-lasting, widespread and deeper than had been foreseen, causing dramatic and severe social problems, with unemployment and poverty increasing rapidly in several countries. As many as seven economies in mainland Asia suffered negative growth in 1998, compared to none in 1996, and only one in 1997.
According to the Survey, the overall economic prospects for the region will continue to be uncertain. World financial markets have displayed
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increased volatility, commodity prices have weakened and international capital flows to developing countries, especially debt flows, have declined.
Delegates at the fifty-fifth annual session of the Commission are expected to discuss implications of recent economic and social developments in the region and suggest policy responses required. Environmental and natural resources development, socio-economic measures to alleviate poverty in rural and urban areas, transport, communications, tourism and infrastructure development, statistics and least developed, landlocked and island developing countries will also be discussed.
The session ends on 28 April with the adoption of resolutions and policy recommendations. The Commission session will be divided into two segments: the Senior Officials' Meeting (22-24 April) and the Ministerial Segment (26-28 April).
The Senior Officials' Segment will be opened by Adrianus Mooy, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP at 9 a.m. on Thursday, 22 April.
The Ministerial Segment (26-28 April) will be opened by Mr. Rattakul on Monday, 26 April at 9 a.m. Both opening sessions will take place in the ESCAP Hall, Level 2, United Nations Conference Centre.
Information regarding the session can also be obtained online at http://www.unescap.org/55th. For further information please contact the United Nations Information Service at telephone (66-2) 288-1861, 1862, 1869 or fax: (66-2) 288-1052.
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