Bold Actions Key to Region’s Emergence from Crisis, Secretary-General

 

Tells Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the sixty-sixth session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, in Incheon, today, 17 May:

Excellencies, Madame Noleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP [Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific], distinguished delegates,

I am pleased to share my best wishes as you gather for the sixty-sixth session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

At the outset, I want to acknowledge the many leaders joining this session:  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh; Prime Minister Edward Natapei of Vanuatu; President Anote Tong of Kiribati; Vice President Mohammed Waheed of Maldives.

I also thank Prime Minister Chung Un-Chan of the Republic of Korea for opening this meeting, and the city of Incheon for hosting.

Incheon is known as the gateway city.  It is living proof of the power of sustainable development and green growth in the twenty-first century.  That is your focus at this session and I commend you for it. 

You gather at a challenging time.  The world and the Asia Pacific region continue to confront the fallout from the global financial crisis. 

There are encouraging signs, but recovery is uneven.  It is precarious.  We need bold actions and cooperation at every level.  As the regional arm of the United Nations, ESCAP is a forum for doing just that. 

Asia and the Pacific are home to nearly two thirds of humanity.  You have some of the world’s largest and most dynamic economies.  Many millions have been lifted out of poverty.  But far too many still remain.

Now is the time to invest in sustainable development.  Now is the time to focus on green growth strategies.  That means renewable energy sources, clean and low carbon technologies, mass transit, reforestation, and more. 

This will generate jobs and boost consumer spending power.  Your work will have even greater impact with three new subregional offices, including one in Incheon.

I wish you all the best.  I look forward to the outcome and your ideas as we prepare for the September Millennium Development Goals Summit in New York. 

Thank you.

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For information media • not an official record