Bangkok--25 May--ESCAP
A half-dozen leaders from the Pacific and otherhigh-level officials from around Asia and the Pacific will convene inBangkok this week for the annual United Nations regional development policyforum, where they will debate the integration and implementation of thethree dimensions of sustainable development, and region-wide support forPacific Island countries.
The 71st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission forAsia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will meet from 25 to 29 May, just monthsbefore the United Nations will adopt a new agenda to promote sustainabledevelopment that looks to ensure continued economic growth, preservation ofthe environment and social protection and equality for all.
The Presidents of Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and Nauru; and the PrimeMinisters of Fiji, Tuvalu and the Cook Islands Henry Puna, also come toBangkok to discuss the follow up to the third international conference onSmall Island Developing States (SIDS), held in September 2014 in Samoa. ThePrime Minister of Thailand, General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.) is scheduledto address the opening of the ministerial segment on 28 May.
Several ministers will be among key speakers at panel discussions duringthe high-level session this week that will focus on the successful implementation of the new development agenda, and ways of addressing keypolicy concerns affecting the region.
The Commission session is being held against the backdrop of the conclusionof the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the international community’scollaborative effort to drive development. While the region has made greatdevelopment strides, progress has not been shared evenly and much
development remains to be carried out.
ESCAP also will launch the final MDG progress report, Making it happen:Technology, finance and statistics for sustainable development in Asia andthe Pacific, prepared in collaboration with the United Nations DevelopmentProgramme (UNDP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). United NationsUnder-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Dr. Shamshad Akhtarwill present the key findings of the MDG progress report at a pressconference on 28 May.
A ministerial roundtable will be held on 28 May with a focus on the themeof the 71st session, ‘Balancing the three dimensions of sustainabledevelopment: from integration to implementation.’
On 29 May, Asia-Pacific leaders will join a panel discussion on policyissues facing the region, with particular emphasis on the findings of theEconomic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2015, ESCAP’s flagshippublication.
Follow us: Live Webstreaming and Social Media Coverage
Key events during the week, including all panel discussions, will bewebcast 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 hashtag #CS71.
For more information on the Commission session visit:http://www.unescap.org/commission