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Asia-Pacific Countries Assemble
Asia-Pacific countries assemble to explore regional connectivity for shared prosperity
4 August 2014
ESCAP’s Annual Session live
webcast
Bangkok: Asia-Pacific countries will
convene in Bangkok this week for the annual policy session
of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), focusing on the role of
regional connectivity in supporting economic growth and
development, particularly through the three dimensions of
sustainable development: social, economic and
environmental.
Senior government officials from over 40 member countries and associate member countries will meet at the 70th session from 4 to 6 August ahead of the Commission’s high-level ministerial segment from 7 to 8 August to be attended by Heads of State and senior ministers.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Security, Timor-Leste, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, the Prime Minister of Bhutan H.E. Tshering Tobgay, H.E. Lord Tu'ivakano, Prime Minister of Tonga and the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow will address the opening of the ministerial segment. More than 30 ministers from Asia and the Pacific are expected to participate in the ministerial segment.
Ministers from Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Pakistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands and Tonga will be among key speakers at panel discussions during the high-level session this week, focusing on steering the region towards equitable, environment-friendly and resilient growth.
The ESCAP session is being held against the backdrop of high public debt levels and declining international development assistance, which has affected Asia-Pacific growth and contributed to rising income inequality, both within and between countries in the region.
A Ministerial Round Table on the theme of the 70th session, “Regional connectivity for shared prosperity”, on the opening day of the ministerial segment will focus on transport, ICT and energy connectivity and multi-sectoral and cross-border cooperation.
At a media launch on 6 August, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Dr. Shamshad Akhtar will present the key findings of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2014, the flagship publication of ESCAP outlining the latest macroeconomic projections and policy advice for the region.
On the second day of the ministerial segment, Asia-Pacific government leaders and policymakers will join a panel discussion on sustainable development and development finance to suggest policy options for addressing existing and emerging vulnerabilities.
Follow us: Live Webstreaming and Social Media Coverage
Key events during the week,
including all panel discussions, will be
webcast live at
http://www.unescap.org/commission/webcast
The
ministerial segment will be webcast in four languages
(English,
Chinese, French and Russian)
The Commission
session can also be followed on social media using the
hash
tag #CS70.
For more information about the
Commission session visit:
http://www.unescap.org/commission
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