United Nations Partners With Bangkok Students to Mark International Day of Peace
More than 200 students in Bangkok today explored the role of human rights in achieving peace at a youth forum held by the United Nations to raise awareness of the upcoming International Day of Peace. [19 September 2008]

UN Helps Strengthen Mongolia and Pacific Islands’ Information and Communication Technology Capabilities
Two new agreements with UN are expected to help improve the ability of policymakers and government leaders to better leverage information and communication technology (ICT) for social and economic development in Mongolia and Pacific Island states. The United Nations Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology (UN-APCICT) signed Wednesday separate agreements with Mongolia’s Information and Communication Technology Authority and the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission, which will see both organizations customize an APCICT training curriculum, the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders. [12 September 2008]

UN MDG report says world on track to halve poverty thanks to Asia
The world is on track to halve the global poverty rate by 2015 and achieve the number one target of the MDGs, thanks to progress made in East Asia, particularly China, says the United Nations' latest MDG report. Without China's contribution, the world would fail to meet the poverty reduction goal. [10 September 2008]

UN MDG Report 2008 will be launched in Bangkok on 10 September by Noeleen Heyzer
The United Nations will publish The Millennium Development Goals Report 2008, the most current global assessment on progress towards the MDGs, on Thursday, 11 September, with the Secretary-General launching this report in New York. The Asia-Pacific regional launch will take place in Bangkok on Wednesday, 10 September, at 13:30 at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand. Noeleen Heyzer, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, will present the report. [9 September 2008]

United Nations Strengthens ICT Capacity of Government Leaders in the Pacific
Knowledge and familiarity with information and communication technology (ICT) in the Pacific is receiving a boost with the holding of a key UN training programme for some of the region’s policy-makers and government officials. The UN-APCICT, in collaboration with Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), is holding a four-day workshop on ICT on the Cook Islands from 2 to 5 September, 2008. [3 September 2008]

Afghanistan's Digital Divide Set to Narrow Following Collaboration Agreement with UN-APCICT
An agreement promoting the use of information and communication technology, signed today by the Afghan Government and the United Nations, is expected to contribute greatly to Afghanistan's efforts to bridge the digital divide – the gap between those who benefit from digital technology and those who do not [29 August 2008]

Region's governments urged to push through tough anti-child sex measures
Despite some progress in recent years in addressing the problem of sexual abuse of children in East Asia and the Pacific, much more needs to be done to address the issue of child exploitation. That was one of the key messages heard at the "East Asia Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents" – a two-day meeting held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok to feed recommendations to an upcoming world summit on the issue. [20 August 2008]

Press Conference by UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar Cancelled
The press conference that had been planned for Wednesday, 13 August, by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, has been cancelled due a scheduling conflict. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused. A notification will be issued should it be possible to re-schedule the conference. [13 August 2008]

Address Power Relations to Achieve Development Goals, say Leading Gender Experts
Advances in policies and legislations at the macro-level do not necessarily bring about progress for women. Their implementation are frequently obstructed by entrenched structures, values and power relations at the meso- and micro-level, shaping local policies, communities and cultural beliefs and women’s daily lives. This is the level where empowerment must occur if progress for women is to be achieved. That was one of the key messages heard at a forum entitled, "Where's the Power in Women's Empowerment?" organized by the UN ESCAP. [4 August 2008]

ESCAP Joined Ban Ki-moon's Cool UN Initiative to Cut Emissions at Bangkok UN Compound
Thermostats turned up and dress code relaxed to save energy
The main United Nations premises in Bangkok joined the New York Headquarters today to turn up thermostats by 2°C in an effort to reduce the use of air conditioning and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Most staff members came to work wearing lighter clothing, including national dress. [1 August 2008]

UN ESCAP Forum to Explore Women's Empowerment
As part of a seminar series, UN ESCAP is holding a forum entitled "Where's the Power in Women’s Empowerment?" at which leading experts from the Research Programme Consortium on Women’s Empowerment in Muslim Contexts will share their views and analyses. [31 July 2008]

Regional Mission to Reinforce Disability Policy in the Federated States of Micronesia
The rights of persons with disabilities in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) will be the focus of a first-of-its-kind joint mission by the United Nations and the Pacific Disability Forum. The aim of the mission to Pohnpei is to build substantial support for the implementation of the FSM’s national policy on disability – which UN ESCAP helped local authorities draft in 2006. [10 July 2008]

Press launch of World Economic and Social Survey 2008, 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, 1 July, FCCT, Bangkok
The United Nations will hold a press briefing at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, in Bangkok, on 1 July, 2008, for the launch of the World Economic and Social Survey 2008, published by the United Nations Department of Eeconomic and Social Affairs. This year's Survey considers means for overcoming economic insecurity, and it also assesses insecurity posed by weather, natural disasters and climate change. [30 June 2008]

Transcription of UN media briefing on humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, 18 June, Bangkok
The United Nations system in Bangkok gave a media briefing to update on the humanitarian assistance provided in response to Cyclone Nargis on Wednesday, 18 June, at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT). [18 June 2008]

UN ESCAP's ICT Training Centre Launches Three New Initiatives to Bridge Digital Divide
Coinciding with its second anniversary and a major global meeting on the economic impact of the Internet, the UN-APCICT, a regional institute of ESCAP, based in Incheon, Republic of Korea, is today holding a global forum and launching two events aimed at promoting the use of information and communication technologies for national development. [16 June 2008]

One Million Gallons of Diesel Fuel Urgently Needed To Ensure Food Security in Myanmar
Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP is calling for ASEAN countries, donors and traditional oil suppliers of Myanmar to assist the country’s urgent need for diesel to ensure timely plowing of rice fields in the Ayeyarwady Delta. [13 June 2008]

Transcription of UN media briefing on humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, 11 June, Bangkok
The United Nations system in Bangkok gave a media briefing to update on the humanitarian assistance provided in response to Cyclone Nargis on Wednesday, 11 June, at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT). [11 June 2008]

Transcription of UN media briefing on humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, 4 June, Bangkok
The United Nations system in Bangkok gave a media briefing to update on the humanitarian assistance provided in response to Cyclone Nargis on Wednesday, 4 June, at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT). [4 June 2008]

Transcription of UN media briefing on humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, 30 May, Bangkok
The United Nations system in Bangkok gave a media briefing to update on the humanitarian assistance provided in response to Cyclone Nargis on Friday, 30 May, at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT). [30 May 2008]

Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of UN Peacekeeping and the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, 30 May 2008
ESCAP, on behalf of the UN family in the region, will organize a commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of United Nations Peacekeeping and the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on Friday, 30 May 2008, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, from 0945 to 1200 hrs. [28 May 2008]

Transcription of UN media briefing on humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, 27 May, Bangkok
The United Nations system in Bangkok gave a media briefing to update on the humanitarian assistance provided in response to Cyclone Nargis on Tuesday, 27 May, at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT). [27 May 2008]

Transcription of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's Press Conference at Bangkok Airport, 25 May 2008
The transcription of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's Press Conference at Bangkok Airport on 25 May 2008 can be downloaded here. [25 May 2008]

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's statement at pledging conference for assistance to the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar
The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, delivered the following statement at the ASEAN-UN International Pledging Conference on Cyclone Nargis, on Sunday, 25 May, 2008, in Yangon, Myanmar. [25 May 2008]

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks at the official opening of the Don Mueang Air Hub
The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, delivered the following remarks at a ceremony to mark official opening of the Don Mueang Air Hub and the ASEAN-UN Cooperation Inaugural Relief Flight for the victims of Cyclone Nargis, on Saturday, 24 May 2008, at Don Mueang Airport. [24 May 2008]

The Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, remarks to the press at Bangkok airport
The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday, 21 May, on his way to Myanmar where he will visit people devastated by Cyclone Nargis and meet with government leaders. Mr. Ban made the following statement to the press upon his arrival. [21 May 2008]

Transcription of UN media briefing on humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, 19 May, Bangkok
The United Nations system in Bangkok gave a media briefing to update on the humanitarian assistance provided in response to Cyclone Nargis on Monday, 19 May, at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT). [19 May 2008]

Transcription of UN media briefing on humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, 16 May, Bangkok
The United Nations system in Bangkok gave a media briefing to update on the humanitarian assistance provided in response to Cyclone Nargis on Friday, 16 May, at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT). [16 May 2008]

Regional Seminar seeks to enhance family well-being in Asia and the Pacific
Families all over the Asian and Pacific region have undergone rapid and unprecedented changes over the past few decades. Among these transformations are shifts from extended family to nuclear family patterns, increased participation of women in the labour force, and increased instances of separation and divorce. Strengthening the family through effective social services measures was the focus of UN-backed Regional Seminar, held from 13 to 15 May in Macao, China. [15 May 2008]

Transcription of UN system press briefing on humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, 14 May, Bangkok
The United Nations system gave a briefing in Bangkok on 14 May to provide the media with an update on the humanitarian assistance provided in response to Cyclone Nargis. [14 May 2008]

Headquarters agreement signed between ESCAP and Government of the Republic of Fiji
An important headquarters agreement between UN and the Government of Fiji on the establishment of the Pacific Operations Centre of ESCAP in Fiji, was signed on 12 May 2008 in Bangkok by H.E. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Fiji, and Ms. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP. [14 May 2008]

Transcription of UN media briefing on humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, 12 May, Bangkok
The United Nations system in Bangkok gave a media briefing on the humanitarian assistance provided in response to Cyclone Nargis on Monday, 12 May, at the UN Conference Centre. [12 May 2008]

Top UN Official in Asia-Pacific Region Calls for Urgent Humanitarian Access to Myanmar
In the wake of the devastating Cyclone Nargis, the humanitarian situation in Myanmar is growing increasingly desperate with reported deaths topping 100,000 with at least 42,000 known missing and nearly 1.5 million people severely affected and a real danger that an even worse tragedy might unfold if urgently needed aid does not get in quickly to the people affected. “I am deeply concerned and saddened by the continuing tragedy unfolding in Myanmar,” said Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, the regional arm of the United Nations in Asia and the Pacific. [9 May 2008]

Bollywood Star Amitabh Bachchan Lends Support to UN Billion Tree Campaign
One of India's leading actors, Amitabh Bachchan, will show his support to UN Billion Tree Campaign by planting a tree at the UN’s Asia-Pacific regional headquarters in Bangkok on 30 April 2008, at 5:00 p.m. [29 April 2008]

Asia-Pacific Region Will Miss MDGs If “Gaps” Are Not Filled Immediately
Many countries in the Asia-Pacific region may not meet all of MDGs due to gaps in several key areas according to a joint report by UN and ADB. The report, entitled A Future Within Reach 2008, was launched today, at a high-level panel meeting on the MDGs, during the annual session of ESCAP. It is the third regional report on MDGs produced by ESCAP, ADB and UNDP. [29 April 2008]

United Nations in Bangkok to Mark Entry into Force of Treaty on Disability Rights
A ground-breaking new international treaty, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, will enter into force on 3 May 2008 – one month after it was ratified by the twentieth country. To celebrate the Convention’s entry into force, ESCAP, UNOHCHR, and ILO will organize a special event on 30 April 2008, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 a.m., at the UN Conference Centre, Bangkok. [29 April 2008]

Asia-Pacific Region Addresses Energy Security Challenges at ESCAP Annual Session
“Asia-Pacific countries need to embrace a new strategic regional cooperation framework urgently to meet the mounting challenge of ‘energy insecurity’ and avoid its grave implications for the economic prospects of the region and for the plight of its poor”, says Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP. [28 April 2008]

Business and Government Leaders to Discuss Energy Security at UN Forum
Senior government officials, business leaders and civil society representatives will meet in Bangkok to discuss ways to improve energy security through regional and public-private cooperation, a subject which has taken on new importance given the recent record-breaking oil prices. The participants will gather at the Asia-Pacific Business Forum 2008 held by ESCAP at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok on 27 April. The theme of the event is Energy Security: Opportunities through Regional Energy Cooperation and Public-Private Partnerships. [26 April 2008]

Simpler Customs Procedures Could Boost Exports of Landlocked Countries, UN
Most of the high costs related to transporting goods from landlocked developing countries to international markets are avoidable, as they are caused to a large extent by cumbersome custom procedures, says a senior United Nations official. [24 April 2008]

Viable Economy and Human Investment Key to Create Jobs in Pacific Islands, UN
Effective partnerships with the private sector to create viable economies, and boosting investment in human development, such as in education and health, are two of the key measures the Pacific islands could take to reduce high unemployment in those countries, the most senior UN official in the Asia-Pacific region said. [24 April 2008]

Asia-Pacific Countries to Address Energy Security at ESCAP Annual Session
With oil prices continue to break new records, government ministers and senior officials from the 62 members of ESCAP will focus on energy security, and its impact on sustainable development, when they gather for the Commission’s annual session in Bangkok from 24 to 30 April. [23 April 2008]

Asia-Pacific Countries Share Win-Win Climate Change Solutions
Countries from Asia and the Pacific, both developed and developing, are gathering in Bangkok to share experiences on “co-benefits approach to climate change” - win-win actions which cut greenhouse gas emissions while alleviating poverty. The meeting today is organized by ESCAP in cooperation with the Japanese Ministry of the Environment and the Japanese Overseas Environmental Cooperation Centre. About 50 participants are sharing good practices on “co-benefits”. [23 April 2008]

UN to Explore Improving Market Access for Landlocked Developing Countries
The Asia-Pacific region is home to 12 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), most of which are located in Central Asia and the Caucusus. Goods from these countries must pass through their neighbours’ territories in order to reach international markets, increasing their transport costs—and hindering the development of these countries. While some LLDCs are experiencing remarkable growth, many still lag behind the rest of the region, with average GDP growth rates reaching only half the rate of nearby countries. [21 April 2008]

Addressing High Unemployment Focus of UN Meeting on the Pacific Islands
Historically high birth rates combined with slow economic growth has resulted in high unemployment in many Pacific Island countries--reaching as high as 60% in the worst affected countries. This has made it difficult for new entrants to the job market, with the youth and women being the hardest hit. Underlying the importance of this issue, about 40 representatives from the Asia-Pacific region will be attending the Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries of ESCAP on 22 and 23 April to discuss promoting employment in the Pacific islands. [21 April 2008]

UN Launches New Training Course to Help Developing Countries Use ICT
Information and communications technologies (ICTs) - from wireless technology to the Internet - are widely accepted as powerful tools for enhancing human development. With access to ICT, people are able to find the information they need to improve their lives. However, without visionary policy makers and ICT savvy government officials the promise of a better future through the use of ICTs is unlikely to be realized. [16 April 2008]

Better Figures on Labour Force Trends Help Asia-Pacific to Avert Jobless Growth
Rising labour productivity has been a main driver of economic growth in Asia and the Pacific. The region contributed to 60 per cent of the global growth in labour productivity since 1995. But there has been no comparable growth in employment. To help countries to better project their labour force and employment trends, and to ensure a balance between productivity and employment growth, SIAP held a training course on "Labour Force and Manpower Projection" for 25 officials from six countries and territories. [11 April 2008]

United Nations ESCAP to Launch Study on Energy Security in Asia and the Pacific
With the price of oil continuing to rise, securing energy supplies to sustain economic growth and social development has become an issue of increasing concern for many countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Decisions of governments will not only have an immediate economic and social impact but lasting implications for future generations. ESCAP, in a comprehensive new study, says a new sustainable energy paradigm is needed if countries in Asia and the Pacific are to meet their long-term development goals. [11 April 2008]

UN Uses Distance Learning to Boost Statistical Training for Developing Countries
Training for government statisticians in the Asia-Pacific region received a boost this week thanks to a new distance training course, provided by SIAP. Thirty statisticians from India and Cambodia completed a nine-day training course today learning from lecturers based in Japan through videoconferencing. [9 April 2008]

ESCAP Chief Calls for Greater Aid for Developing Countries to Address Climate Change
Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, today called on developed countries to help meet the technological and financial needs of developing countries facing the challenge of climate change at the start of the Climate Change talks in Bangkok. [31 March 2008]

ASEAN's Future ICT Leaders Awarded Scholarship to Explore the Role of ICT in Socio-economic Development
Twenty promising undergraduate students from seven ASEAN member countries will begin their scholarships to study information and communications technology (ICT) for socio-economic development at Daejeon University (DJU) in the Republic of Korea, on 1 April, 2008. [31 March 2008]

ESCAP Executive Secretary meets with Prime Minister of India
Ms. Noeleen Heyzer, the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, met today with the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Manmohan Singh. At the one-on-one meeting, Ms. Heyzer briefed the Prime Minister on the key issues that ESCAP intended to focus on in the years ahead: food and energy security, water and sanitation and climate change -- which as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has emphasized -- is not only an environmental but a development issue. [27 March 2008]

Neglect of Agriculture Condemns 218 Million People to Poverty, ESCAP Says
Chronic neglect of the agricultural sector in Asia and the Pacific is condemning 218 million people to continuing extreme poverty, and widening the gap between the region's rich and poor, according to the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2008 , launched at multiple locations today throughout the region by ESCAP. [27 March 2008]

ESCAP chief outlines the pathways for taking India to the next level
Speaking in New Delhi, the Executive Secretary of ESCAP said that considerable progress had been achieved by India on many fronts, but much more needed to be done if India is to achieve MDGs. She was a special guest speaker at a roundtable, entitled “Taking India to the level” and organized by The Economist. Among the speakers were several senior government ministers and around a dozen business leaders from India and abroad. [26 March 2008]

ESCAP to Launch Key Economic and Social Survey on Asia-Pacific Region
The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2008 was launched on Thursday, 27 March, in about 20 capitals in the region and in New York and Geneva. This year’s Survey, entitled “Sustaining Growth and Sharing Prosperity,” says 218 million people – a third of the region’s poor, largely living in rural areas – could be lifted out of poverty by raising agricultural productivity if governments address decades of policy neglect and failure in the agricultural sector. [21 March 2008]

UN Promotes the Use of Satellites to Combat Disasters in Asia and the Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region has been the victim of some of the most devastating disasters in human history. Over the last ten years, six out of ten of the most deadly natural disasters occurred within the region. To help prepare the countries of the region for future disasters, ESCAP is organizing a Regional Symposium on Disaster Management to explore ways of effectively utilizing information collected from Earth observation satellites. [20 March 2008]

New Asia-Pacific Statistical Yearbook Presents Complete Picture of the Region's Development
While the world-leading pace of urbanization in Asia and the Pacific has contributed to the region's growth - it has also driven up urban poverty, according to the latest edition of the Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific, released today. The Yearbook, produced by ESCAP, is the region's leading compilation of statistical data which provides a detailed picture of the major economic, social and environmental trends in Asia and the Pacific. [20 March 2008]

Government officials complete six-month UN course on statistics
33 government officials from 27 African, Latin American and Asia-Pacific countries, recently completed a six-month statistics course. The course was conducted by the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific, part of ESCAP, in Chiba Japan. [19 March 2008]

Better sanitation focus of UN World Water Day observance in Bangkok
More than 1.5 billion people in the Asia-Pacific region lack basic sanitation, such as access to a toilet—leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases. Globally, one child dies every 20 seconds as a result of poor sanitation. In order to raise awareness of this issue, UN General Assembly declared 2008 to be the International Year of Sanitation (IYS). The Year will be highlighted at the observance of World Water Day in Bangkok. The event, organized by ESCAP, will take plac on 20 March. [14 March 2008]

Pacific island states, ESCAP and subregional organizations find new potential for strengthened collaboration
The heads of ASEAN, PIFS and leaders and senior ministers from selected Pacific island states met with ESCAP in New Caledonia on 12 and 13 March. They explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration between Pacific island states and ESCAP, and closer partnership with Asia-based subregional organizations. [14 March 2008]

UN Launches Database of Telecentres in Asia and the Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region is home to thousands of telecentres which enable many rural communities to go online and to learn about market trends, business opportunities, and how to market their products. In order to foster development of these centres, ESCAP has launched a Telecentre Online Database. [11 March 2008]

Asia-Pacific Population Journal Paints Mixed Picture of Pacific Sub-region
With a total population of about 34 million and very diverse levels of fertility – from 1.2 children per woman in the Northern Mariana Islands to 4.6 in Samoa – the Pacific sub-region needs to redouble its efforts to tackle crucial issues such as maternal mortality, low contraceptive prevalence rate and teenage fertility in the pursuit of its MDGs, according to an article published in the latest issue of the Asia-Pacific Population Journal. [10 March 2008]

UN High-level Meeting in the Pacific to Address Challenges Facing Island States
Leaders of Pacific island countries and heads of major Asian regional groupings – ASEAN, SAARC and ECO - will meet in Noumea, New Caledonia, on 12-13 March, to discuss key challenges facing the island states and how Asian countries can increase their support to addressing these challenges. The meeting, organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in cooperation with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), will be chaired by Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. [5 March 2008]

UN Observes International Women’s Day in Bangkok on 7 March
In celebration of International Women’s Day, 8 March, UN system in Thailand will organize a special event on Friday, 7 March 2008 at UN Conference Centre. The theme this year is “Investing in Women and Girls”, which highlights the importance of financial and other resources for the promotion of women’s empowerment and the multiplier effect of investing in women on economic growth and development. [4 March 2008]

Deputy Secretary-General discusses "Delivering as One" at regional level in Bangkok
The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Asha-Rose Migiro, paid a two-day visit to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok on 18 -19 February during which how to ‘deliver as one UN” at the regional level was the main theme of her discussions. [20 February 2008]

UN Assists Asia-Pacific to Measure Progress Towards Information Economies
The demand for reliable and comparable statistics on ICT and their impact on development has increased exponentially in recent years as a result of the rapid advances in ICT. This poses a major challenge to national statistical organizations in many developing countries. In response, UN has organized a regional training course in Republic of Korea, bringing together national statisticians to discuss the production and dissemination of ICT statistics. [18 February 2008]

ESCAP Executive Secretary Meets Top Chinese Leaders on First Official Visit
Ms. Noeleen Heyzer, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), visited China from 17 to 23 January 2008. It was Ms. Heyzer’s first official visit to China since taking office. Ms. Heyzer’s discussions with the Chinese authorities focused on five key areas. [24 January 2008]

UN-APCAEM to host a Regional Forum on Bioenergy Sector Development
Record breaking oil prices have forced many countries to search for alternative sources of energy. Biofuels are proving to be one of the most viable of the emerging energy sources. In order to take a comprehensive view of the bioenergy development, ESCAP will host a regional forum on bioenergy sector development in Bangkok, from 23 to 25 January 2008, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand. [15 January 2008]

Asia-Pacific ready to face US sub-prime uncertainties in 2008, says UN
The robust economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region will continue in 2008, despite uncertainties in US and continued appreciation of regional currencies. Strong growth in China and India, sound economic fundamentals and buoyant commodity prices will underpin the region’s resilience. The positive outlook was presented by ESCAP, in its Key Economic Developments and Prospects in the Asia-Pacific Region 2008 report . [9 January 2008]

UN Sees Risks for Asia-Pacific Region in Slowing US Economy
Despite predicted robust growth in 2008, the risks for the Asia-Pacific economies are “tilted to the downside” as they await an “unraveling of the United States sub-prime mortgage problem and a slowing U.S. economy". The warnings come from a preview by ESCAP, Key Economic Developments and Prospects in the Asia-Pacific Region 2008, which will be launched on 9 January at FCCT in Bangkok . [5 January 2008]

UN Regional Commission Heads Outline Development Challenges in Bangkok
“The Middle East is rich but not developed”, said the Executive Secretary of ESCWA, Bader Al-Dafa, today in Bangkok. He was speaking to UN staff at a seminar which brought together the heads of four UN regional commissions. The seminar, on emerging development issues and challenges in the regions, was organized by Ms. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP. The other two Executive Secretaries present were Abdoulie Janneh of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Marek Belka of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). [14 December 2007]

Developing countries need support to fight climate change, says ESCAP
Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of ESCAP, says that active support to developing countries is key to global success in fighting against climate change. Speaking today in Bali, Ms heyzer noted that developing countries will not be able to simultaneously achieve continued economic growth and take adequate climate action unless there is technology transfer. [12 December 2007]

Ban Ki-moon visited ESCAP during first tour of Asia-Pacific
UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, visited ESCAP on 10 December on his way to the Bali climate change conference. He delivered a keynote address on climate change in which he called on developing countries to do their part in addressing the challenge.

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Ban Ki-moon to mark Human Rights Day by launching in Bangkok rights treaty 60th anniversary celebrations
The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki- moon, will officially unveil in Bangkok the logo of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on 10 December, the International Human Rights Day. The observance of the Human Rights Day in Bangkok this year coincides with the official visit of Mr. Ban to Thailand, from 9 to 11 December 2007. The event will take place at UN Conference Centre (UNCC) at 1430. [7 December 2007]

UN Meeting Promotes Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific
According to a recent UN study, paperless trade could save businesses more than half a billion dollars a year globally. The savings would come from streamlined customs procedures, thereby reducing delays at border crossings. However, paperless trade requires trained customs and trade officials and traders in order to be effective. For this reason, ESCAP in cooperation with ECE will hold a workshop in Bangkok from 10 to 14 December. [7 December 2007]

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to visit ESCAP on his way to Bali Conference
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, will visit ESCAP on 10 December and deliver a keynote address on “climate change, green growth and inclusive development”. This will be Mr. Ban’s key policy statement on climate change on the eve of his attendance at the Bali Conference. He will also hold a dialogue with UN staff members on his development and reform agenda. [6 December 2007]

UN Meeting Promotes Online Dispute Resolution in Asia and the Pacific
With the rapid growth in e-trade, regulators need better ways to ensure the security of online transactions. Against this backdrop, ESCAP organized the Sixth International Forum on Online Dispute Resolution in Hong Kong, China, on 4 and 5 December 2007. [6 December 2007]

UN assists Azerbaijan to transform from oil to knowledge economy
Azerbaijan is the fastest growing economy in the Asia-Pacific region, with an annual growth rate of more than 20 per cent thanks to surging oil revenues. In order to secure longer-term economic stability, the government is prioritizing ICT sector, making it second in importance only to the oil industry. To assist the government to realize its goal, ESCAP, in cooperation with ECE and the Ministry of ICT of Azerbaijan, organized a seminar on ICT policymaking in Baku. [28 November 2007]

UN to Connect Rural Women Entrepreneurs through Online Knowledge Network
ESCAP will launch the Knowledge Network of Women’s Cooperatives on 27 November in Bali. The network will empower women entrepreneurs by providing them with a web-based system that enables them to share knowledge, resources and collaborate on projects across the region. The project will target rural women who are managing small enterprises. [26 November 2007]

People with disabilities an untapped market for tourism industry, UN
People with disabilities represent a huge untapped market for the travel industry. How to make tourism accessible to them will be discussed when representatives of the industry meet with policy makers and disabled people in Bangkok, 22 – 24 November 2007. The meeting is organized by ESCAP in cooperation with the government of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Disabled People International Asia-Pacific. [21 November 2007]

Researcher’s Foresight Gives Hope to Indonesian Cooking Banana Industry
The discovery of several disease-resistant banana trees by a far-sighted scientist may save farmers across South East Asia from an epidemic that has already destroyed the banana industry in several Indonesian provinces. The researcher shared his find with CAPSA -- an ESCAP agricultural development centre based in Indonesia -- to develop a project aimed at propagating the plant and distributing it to farmers across the archipelago. [21 November 2007]

UN Envoy urges Asia -Pacific to turn climate change into new economic opportunities
UN SG’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, Han Seung-soo, called on Asian- Pacific countries to find a way to avoid further environmental deterioration while pursuing economic growth at the Committee on Managing Globalization of ESCAP. Mr. Han applauded ESCAP for its Green Growth initiative, which calls for a paradigm change in thinking of growth and argues for ecological costs to be fully reflected in market prices. [19 November 2007]

ASEAN needs to address serious development gaps among members, says UN
ASEAN needs to address development gaps between its 10 members, if it is to build a more integrated ASEAN community, says UN. As ASEAN leaders gather in Singapore to sign the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint this week, a study entitled "Ten as One: Challenges and Opportunities for ASEAN Integration" by ESCAPoutlines the major challenges for ASEAN integration and recommend key actions to be taken. [19 November 2007]

Governments to Set Research Agenda for Agriculture as a Means of Combating Rural Poverty
High-level officials from governments across the region will meet in Bangkok on 21 November to discuss approaches to tackling poverty in rural Asia. The meeting will set the regional agenda for research priorities in the development of agriculture as a means of combating poverty in the areas where it is most needed. [16 November 2007]

UN Climate Change Envoy to Speak in Bangkok
he UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, Han Seung-soo, will give a briefing on recent developments in UN climate change activities on 19 November, in Bangkok. The briefing will be given at the Fourth session of the Committee on Managing Globalization, which will be held by ESCAP from 19 to 21 November in Bangkok. [15 November 2007]

Thai Victims Join the UN on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
About 300 people from all walks of life, including 50 wheelchair bound victims of road traffic accidents, will join the UN on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, 18 November 2007, in Bangkok. They will proceed from Amphorn Garden to the UN Building, head office of ESCAP. Mr.