Bangkok--27 Apr--UNISBKK
ESCAP panel examines impacts of crises on least developed countries in Asia-Pacific
Regional cooperation is absolutely essential for the poorest and most vulnerable countries in Asia and the Pacific in their response to the triple threat of food-fuel volatility, the economic crisis and climate change.
This was the key message coming out of the special high-level discussion on the impacts of the triple crises on the least developed countries (LDCs), land-locked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS). The event in Bangkok today was part of the annual session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) — the regional arm of the United Nations.
Out of ESCAP’s 62 members, over half of them — 36 — are LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.
“The global economic crisis has hit hard the economies of many of the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDs of our region,” said Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. “We now have an opportunity to rethink the way forward; to ensure development is more inclusive and sustainable.”
Many developing countries have been carrying out significant economic reforms since the mid-eighties. Opening up their economies to international trade and finance has led to significant social and economic development. While significant disparities remain, these gains are now at risk of being lost due to impacts from the current economic crisis.
The panellists agreed that any attempt to deal with the triple threats to development must involving intraregional cooperation among developing and developed countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Our geographic disadvantages and constraints make it difficult to mitigate against these threats on a country by country basis,” said Feleti P Teo, Deputy Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. “It requires a cooperative response at the regional level.”
This message was echoed by Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan from the Ministry of Finance and Planning , Bangladesh . “In view of the current challenges the Asia-Pacific region faces, regional, sub-regional and bilateral cooperation are essential for balanced development and a win-win situation for all.”
The Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to ESCAP, Carson Wu, said ESCAP has an important role to play in promoting such regional cooperation.
“It is important that we leverage the UN’s development mandate in coming together to address this crisis,” said Mr. Wu. “There is still relatively little data on the political, social, economic and gender impacts of the crisis. The UN’s regional commissions, including ESCAP, can play a constructive towards this end.”
The Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to ESCAP, Masahide Hirokawa, expressed his country’s willingness to support regional cooperation.
“ Japan is ready to provide up to $20 billion of official development assistance for budgetary support and infrastructural improvements for Asian countries,” stated Mr.Hirokawa. He said Japan would also provide $1 billion to help improve food security in Southeast Asian countries and train 1,200 people over the next five year to enhance food productivity.
ESCAP’s annual session continues until Wednesday, 29 April.
For further information please contact:
Bentley Jenson
UN Information Services (UNIS), ESCAP
Tel: (66) 2 288 1869
Email: [email protected] and [email protected]