Bangkok--11 Apr--UN Information Services Bangkok
What will drive growth in the Asia-Pacific region if the US economy slows down in 2007? Ten years after the Asian financial crisis, is the region once again becoming more vulnerable to shocks? Has the region learnt to live with high oil prices?
What kinds of opportunities and challenges does China present to trading nations in Asia and the Pacific? How do Central Asian countries cope with the appreciation of their currencies in the face of rising oil prices? These are some of the questions answered in the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007, which will be launched on 18 April in major cities throughout the region and elsewhere, including Almaty, Bangkok, Beijing, Canberra, Colombo, Dhaka, Geneva, Hanoi, Islamabad, Jakarta, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Moscow, New Delhi, New York, Seoul, Singapore, Suva, Tbilisi, and Tokyo.
The Survey, UNESCAP’s flagship publication, looks at the most critical issues, challenges, and risks in the Asia-Pacific region in the months ahead.
One of the highlights of this year’s report, entitled “Surging Ahead in Uncertain Times,” is a special chapter that addresses the economic cost of gender discrimination. In the report UNESCAP estimates financial losses of $42-47 billion due to restrictions on women’s access to employment opportunities and gender gaps in education and health in the region.
The Survey is one of the main documents prepared for UNESCAP’s annual Commission Session which will be held this year from 17 to 23 May in Almaty, Kazakhstan. During the Session UNESCAP members endorse the Commission’s work plan and priorities for the future.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Thawadi Pachariyangkun, Information Officer
UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861
E-mail: [email protected]