ESCAP'S FIFTY-SIXTH COMMISSION SESSION ENDS ON OPTIMISTIC NOTE
Press Release
REC/92
ESCAP'S FIFTY-SIXTH COMMISSION SESSION ENDS ON OPTIMISTIC NOTE
20000607BANGKOK, 7 June (UN Information Service) -- The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) ended its fifty-sixth annual Commission session today with the 61-member and associate member organization sharpening its focus to face the challenges of the new millennium.
As development through globalization and partnership in the twenty-first century was its theme, the Commission noted that given the irreversible nature of globalization and interdependence, the overarching challenge facing the region was to manage the risks and to seize the opportunities of globalization, so that the benefits could be shared equally.
Asian and Pacific governments unanimously adopted the final report which contains five resolutions and a blueprint for ESCAPs programme of work. We also agreed that ESCAP should continue to enhance its institutional capacity to undertake its mission as a leading institution in economic and social development in the region, said Commission Chairman Kamal Kharrazi, Foreign Minister of Iran.
The Commission reaffirmed its strong commitment to a rule-based multilateral trading system that operated in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner and that ensured predictable and secure market access.
It noted that the World Trade Organization (WTO) was of paramount importance to the expansion of trade, continued economic prosperity and all-round balanced development. However, as a lot of developing countries in the ESCAP region were not yet members of the WTO, the secretariat was asked to give high priority to its technical assistance and advisory services to enable these countries to integrate into the world economy.
With a nod towards strengthening its subregional programmes, the Commission proclaimed the Decade of Greater Mekong Subregion Development Cooperation 2000-2009 to draw attention and encourage support of the international community towards intensification of economic and social development in the region. This is subject to endorsement by the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council.
The ESCAP has been asked to mobilize the necessary measures to provide technical assistance to the Greater Mekong Subregion, particularly on such key sectors as human resources development, trade and investment, transportation and communication, poverty alleviation and social development.
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The Commission underlined their support for phase II of the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development, which was the result of the Second Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, held in New Delhi, India, last year. Space technology and its applications, it noted, were important for vital areas from food security and agricultural systems, to natural disaster reduction, health care and hygiene.
The future energy needs of the Pacific region were also accorded high priority by the Commission. They resolved to facilitate the exchange of experiences and information among members and associate members on the efficient use of energy and the enhanced application of renewable energy technologies for small island States.
Human resources development was considered a key issue for alleviating poverty, especially for the enhancement of educational, health and employment status in marginalized population groups. The Commission resolved to focus on investments in all areas of human resources development, including education and training, health and nutrition, and promoting sustainable livelihoods to empower people to become self-reliant and self-supporting.
The Commission also scrutinized ESCAPs work programmes over the six-day meeting. In view of the ramifications of the still-unfolding process of globalization, the active involvement of the United Nations in macroeconomic policy-making and coordination was considered imperative.
The Commission accorded high priority to all of ESCAPs programmes, such as regional economic cooperation, environment and natural resources development, socio-economic measures to alleviate poverty in rural and urban areas, transport communications, tourism and infrastructure development, and statistics.
It called on the secretariat to continue reforming itself, while acknowledging the efforts made so far to cut down costs and streamline its programmes.
During this first session of the millennium, ESCAP welcomed Georgia as its newest member and said farewell to its outgoing Executive Secretary Adrianus Mooy of Indonesia. It expressed its deep gratitude and appreciation to Mr Mooys five-year service towards the social and economic development of the region. Hak-Su Kim from the Republic of Korea will take over as ESCAPs new Executive Secretary on 1 July.
In his farewell statement, Mr. Mooy said that he had served ESCAP during difficult periods in the regions history -- the Asian financial crisis of 1997, and the United Nations financial woes since 1995. As I prepare to leave the secretariat at the end of the month, I am pleased to say that it remains healthy and vibrant, fully committed to performing its assigned tasks efficiently and effectively, he said.
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