UNITED NATIONS New York, 2003

E/2003/39 E/ESCAP/1298

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

ANNUAL REPORT (23 May 2002-25 April 2003)

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL OFFICIAL RECORDS, 2003

SUPPLEMENT No. 19

UNITED NATIONS New York, 2003

NOTE

Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.

E/2003/39 E/ESCAP/1298

ISSN: 0252 - 2284

ABBREVIATIONS

ACHR Asian Coalition for Housing Rights ACPR Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission ADB Asian Development Bank APCAEM Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery APCTT Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology APDC Asian and Pacific Development Centre ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations CCOP Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia CGPRT Centre Regional Coordination Centre for Research and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific CITYNET Regional Network of Local Authorities for the Management of Human Settlements ECO Economic Cooperation Organization FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FDI foreign direct investment GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services GIS geographic information systems HIV/AIDS human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ICT information and communication technology IMO International Maritime Organization ITU International Telecommunication Union IULA International Union of Local Authorities JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency LOGOTRI Network of Local Government Training and Research Institutes in Asia and the Pacific OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development RB regular budget RNAEM Regional Network for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery SIAP Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific SMEs small and medium-sized enterprises SNA System of National Accounts SPECA Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia TCDC technical cooperation among developing countries TISNET computerized trade information system UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDP United Nations Development Programme UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programme UNIFEM United Nations Development Fund for Women WMO World Meteorological Organization WTO World Trade Organization XB extrabudgetary

(ii) CONTENTS

Paragraphs Page

Abbreviations ...... (ii) Introduction ...... 1 1 Chapter I. ISSUES CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION ...... 2-3 1 A. Draft resolution for action by the Economic and Social Council...... 2 1 B. Decision for approval by the Economic and Social Council ...... 3 1

II. WORK OF THE COMMISSION SINCE THE FIFTY-EIGHTH SESSION...... 4-7 1 A. Activities of subsidiary bodies...... 4-5 1 B. Other activities...... 6 1 C. Relations with other United Nations programmes...... 7 1

III. FIFTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION...... 8-123 2 A. Attendance and organization of work...... 8-12 2 B. Agenda...... 13 2

C. Account of proceedings ...... 14-123 2 Admission of new members ...... 15-16 3 Programme planning and evaluation ...... 17-56 3 Report on the realignment and implementation of the programme of work, 2002-2003...... 17-27 3 Proposed programme changes for 2003 ...... 28-31 4 Draft programme of work, 2004-2005 ...... 32-48 4 Report on the evaluation of ESCAP publications...... 49-56 5 Resource mobilization: technical cooperation activities of ESCAP and announcement of intended contributions ...... 57-100 6 Transit transport issues in landlocked and transit developing countries...... 101-114 9 Election of the governing boards of regional institutions ...... 115-118 10 Date, venue and theme topic of the sixtieth session of the Commission ...... 119-122 11 Other matters ...... 123 11

Annexes

I. Programme of work, 2004-2005 ...... 12 II. Meetings of subsidiary bodies and ad hoc ministerial conference ...... 40 III. Documents submitted to the Commission during the first phase (listed by agenda item)...... 42 IV. List of publications, meetings and advisory services in 2002 ...... 43 V. Terms of reference of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific...... 54 VI. Rules of procedure of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific...... 56

(i)

Introduction

1. The present report of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific was adopted unanimously by the Commission at the first phase of its fifty-ninth session, which was held at Bangkok on 24 and 25 April 2003. Any additional part of the report will be attached to the present report as an addendum hereto when it is adopted at the second phase of the session, the dates for which will be determined subsequently.

Chapter I

ISSUES CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION

A. Draft resolution for action by the “Also noting that, in accordance with paragraph Economic and Social Council 3 of the terms of reference of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Timor-Leste shall thereupon be admitted as a member of the Commission, Admission of Timor-Leste as a full member of the Commission: amendment of the terms of “Decides to amend paragraphs 2 and 3 of the reference of the Commission terms of reference of the Commission accordingly.”

2. The Commission welcomed the application of B. Decision for approval by the Timor-Leste for admission to membership in the Economic and Social Council Commission and decided to recommend to the Economic and Social Council that it adopt the following Venue of the sixtieth session of the Commission draft resolution: 3. The Commission welcomed the generous offer “The Economic and Social Council, by the Government of China to host the sixtieth session of the Commission and decided that it should be held at “Noting that Timor-Leste became a Member of Shanghai, China, in April 2004, subject to the approval the United Nations on 27 September 2002, of the Economic and Social Council. The Commission requests the Council to approve this decision.

Chapter II

WORK OF THE COMMISSION SINCE THE FIFTY-EIGHTH SESSION

A. Activities of subsidiary bodies B. Other activities

4. During the period under review, the following 6. A list of publications issued, meetings held and meetings of subsidiary bodies, ad hoc advisory services provided in the calendar year 2002 is intergovernmental meetings and ministerial conference given in annex IV to the present report. were held: Committee on Transport, Communications,

Tourism and Infrastructure Development, Committee on

Environment and Natural Resources Development, Committee on Statistics, Steering Group of the C. Relations with other United Committee on Regional Economic Cooperation, High- Nations programmes level Intergovernmental Meeting to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, 7. The secretariat maintained close and regular and Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference. liaison with United Nations Headquarters and 5. The dates, bureaux and document symbols of cooperated with the departments concerned, as well as the reports of the meetings are given in annex II to the with the secretariats of the other regional commissions, present report. These reports will be presented to the on projects of common interest. Commission for consideration when the second phase of its fifty-ninth session is convened. Chapter III

FIFTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION

A. Attendance and organization of work 3. Adoption of the agenda. 4. Admission of new members. 8. The first phase of the fifty-ninth session of the Commission was held at the United Nations Conference 5. Programme planning and evaluation: Centre, Bangkok, on 24 and 25 April 2003. (a) Report on the realignment and 9. The session was attended by representatives of implementation of the programme of the following members and associate members: work, 2002-2003; (b) Proposed programme changes for Australia Mongolia 2003; Bangladesh Myanmar Bhutan Nepal (c) Draft programme of work, 2004- Brunei Darussalam Netherlands 2005; Cambodia New Zealand (d) Report on the evaluation of ESCAP China Pakistan publications. Democratic People’s Philippines Republic of Korea Republic of Korea 6. Resource mobilization: technical cooperation Fiji Russian Federation activities of ESCAP and announcement of France Singapore intended contributions. India Sri Lanka Indonesia Thailand 7. Transit transport issues in landlocked and Iran (Islamic Turkey transit developing countries. Republic of) United Kingdom of 8. Election of the governing boards of Japan Great Britain and regional institutions: Kazakhstan Northern Ireland Lao People’s United States of America (a) Regional Coordination Centre for Democratic Uzbekistan Research and Development of Republic Viet Nam Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Malaysia Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific; 10. By virtue of rule 3 of the Commission’s rules of procedure, representatives of Austria, Germany, (b) Asian and Pacific Centre for Israel, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain Agricultural Engineering and attended. Representatives of the Holy See also attended Machinery. under Council decision 244 (LXIII) of 22 July 1977. 9. Date, venue and theme topic of the sixtieth session of the Commission. 11. The list of participants is given in document ESCAP(LIX)/INF.1/Rev.1. 10. Other matters. 12. In accordance with rule 13 of its rules of 11. Adoption of the report of the Commission. procedure, the Commission elected H.E. Mrs. Leela

Krishnamurthy Ponappa (India) Chairperson. H.E. Ms. Adi Litia Samanunu Qalirea Talakuli Cakobau (Fiji) C. Account of proceedings and H.E. Mr. Luvsandorj Dawagiv (Mongolia) were elected Vice-Chairpersons. 14. The Executive Secretary declared open the first phase of the fifty-ninth session of the Commission and welcomed those attending the session. He stated that the session was being held under extraordinary B. Agenda circumstances. Following extensive consultations with members and associate members of the Commission 13. The Commission adopted the following agenda: and taking into consideration the prevailing situation in the region, it had been decided that the fifty-ninth 1. Opening of the session. session would be held in two phases. The dates for the second phase of the session would be determined after 2. Election of officers. close observation of the developments regarding severe

2 acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and further 21. The Commission welcomed the secretariat’s consultation with members and associate members. It efforts in reporting the status of implementation of the was unfortunate that the unforeseen developments had programme of work in tabular form, in order to facilitate forced ESCAP to make that unprecedented two-phase programme monitoring by its members and associate arrangement for the fifty-ninth session. Nevertheless, members. It suggested that, in future reports, details on the secretariat remained confident that, with the specific outputs also be included. continued strong support and cooperation of members and associate members, ESCAP would complete its 22. The Commission noted with satisfaction that work in an effective manner. the secretariat was on track in programme implementation, having achieved a 47 per cent delivery rate at the mid-point of the biennium 2002-2003. It Admission of new members acknowledged that several subprogrammes had achieved delivery rates higher than 50 per cent. As to 15. The Commission had before it document the subprogrammes on “Poverty and development” and E/ESCAP/1265. It welcomed the application of “Information, communication and space technology”, Timor-Leste for admission to membership in the the Commission, while noting their lower delivery rates, Commission and decided to recommend to the also recognized that those two subprogrammes had been Economic and Social Council that it adopt the draft the most heavily affected by the restructuring exercise. resolution contained in paragraph 2 of this report. The Commission expressed confidence that the two 16. The Commission expressed the hope that the subprogrammes would be able to achieve higher admission of Timor-Leste to membership in ESCAP delivery rates in the second half of the biennium. and its inclusion in ESCAP’s activities would contribute 23. The Commission commended the secretariat further to the enhancement of economic and social for its flagship publication, the Economic and Social development in the region. Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2003, and noted its in- depth coverage of key economic and social issues affecting the region. It expressed appreciation of the Programme planning and evaluation health and education focus in the 2003 Survey since those aspects were key to poverty reduction in Report on the realignment and implementation of developing countries and areas, and requested the the programme of work, 2002-2003 secretariat to give due attention to those aspects in the implementation of the programme of work. 17. The Commission had before it documents E/ESCAP/1285 and Corr.1 and Add.1, containing the 24. The Commission expressed appreciation of the report on the realignment and implementation of the advisory services and training which the secretariat had programme of work, 2002-2003. provided to developing and least developed countries and areas to help in their national capacity-building 18. The Executive Secretary, in his introduction, efforts. It felt that the secretariat’s work had assisted pointed out that the Commission, at its fifty-eighth those members and associate members in addressing session, had requested the secretariat to realign the emerging economic and social issues effectively. programme of work for 2002-2003 with the new programme structure, as set out in the revisions to the 25. The Commission noted with satisfaction the medium-term plan for the period 2002-2005. In progress in the drafting of an intergovernmental accordance with that request, the secretariat had agreement on the Asian Highway. It welcomed the reconfigured the programme of work for 2002-2003, as efforts of the secretariat in the development of container contained in the above-mentioned document. transport along the Northern Corridor of the Trans- Asian Railway and the creation of an integrated 19. The Commission was informed that the transport system in Asia. realignment had been undertaken in consultation with United Nations Headquarters and had entailed the 26. In the area of the environment and sustainable modification of the objectives and expected development, the Commission noted the importance of accomplishments for the programme of work, 2002- the holding of the Senior Officials Meeting on Energy 2003, in line with the revised medium-term plan for the Cooperation in North-East Asia at Vladivostok, Russian period 2002-2005, as endorsed by the General Federation, in April 2003. It requested the secretariat to Assembly. continue promoting energy cooperation in North-East Asia, including through consideration of the proposal 20. The Commission expressed support for the that the secretariat serve as an interim secretariat of the Executive Secretary’s continuing efforts to revitalize envisaged intergovernmental steering committee of the ESCAP and welcomed the timely action taken by the Senior Officials Meeting. secretariat to realign the programme of work, 2002- 2003. It endorsed the realignment of the programme of 27. Noting that a more detailed report on the work, as contained in documents E/ESCAP/1285 and implementation of the programme of work, 2002-2003, Corr.1 and Add.1. including qualitative assessments, would be submitted

3 to it at its sixtieth session, the Commission requested the reduction, managing globalization and emerging social secretariat to report on the new methodologies for issues, (b) sharpening the focus of work under the new monitoring and evaluating the programme of work that programme structure, (c) ensuring a balance between were being developed by United Nations Headquarters. the secretariat’s normative and operational work, (d) paying special attention to the needs of least developed, landlocked and island developing countries and Proposed programme changes for 2003 countries with economies in transition and (e) reflecting sectoral priorities within the theme areas. 28. The Commission had before it document E/ESCAP/1296 and Corr.1 and 2, containing the 35. The Executive Secretary highlighted the key proposed programme changes for 2003, and endorsed features of the draft programme of work, including the those changes. full results-based framework and identification of the accomplishments that ESCAP expected to achieve by 29. The Executive Secretary stated that the the end of the biennium. The programme of work proposed programme changes for 2003 had been contained indicators to assess the achievement of those necessitated by the Commission’s directive to realign accomplishments which would enable the Commission the programme of work for 2002-2003. The changes to monitor programme implementation and evaluate had been made to ensure that all outputs contributed to programme performance. the achievement of the revised objectives and expected accomplishments under the new programme structure, 36. The Commission commended the secretariat as contained in the revised medium-term plan for the for the overall quality of the draft programme of work, period 2002-2005. 2004-2005, including the successful application of the results-based framework. It noted that the draft reflected 30. The Commission supported the shift in priority the priorities of members and associate members. It under the new programme structure as well as the expressed support for the expected accomplishments emphasis given to follow-up on the outcomes of the and indicators of achievement in the draft programme Millennium Summit, the International Conference on of work, which constituted a clear road map for Financing for Development and the World Summit on programme implementation. It felt that the outputs were Sustainable Development. of value and addressed the needs of members and associate members. It noted with appreciation the efforts 31. With regard to the organization of the first of the secretariat to achieve a balance in its normative session of the Committee on Managing Globalization in and operational work. November 2003, the Commission noted that the agenda of the session should be in line with the terms of 37. The view was expressed that there was a need reference of the Committee and strike a good balance to elaborate on the indicators of achievement, which between sectoral and intersectoral issues. It felt that the reflected the qualitative aspects, to enable a thorough ad hoc intergovernmental meeting to finalize and adopt assessment of the secretariat’s effectiveness in the intergovernmental agreement on the Asian Highway programme delivery. In addition, the need for an network could be held back to back with the first independent monitoring and evaluation system to session of the Committee on Managing Globalization. review subprogrammes was highlighted. 38. With regard to the terms “ESCAP-promoted Draft programme of work, 2004-2005 principles” and “ESCAP-promoted practices”, the Commission requested the secretariat to be more 32. The Commission had before it document specific with regard to the details of the practices and E/ESCAP/1284 and Corr.1 and 2. It endorsed the draft principles to enable better assessment of programme programme of work, 2004-2005, contained in that delivery. As to external factors cited in the logical document. The programme of work is given in annex I framework, the Commission noted that every effort to the present report. should be made to cope with them to ensure timely implementation of the programme of work. 33. The Executive Secretary pointed out that the draft programme of work reflected the new programme 39. The Commission noted that the regional structure, as endorsed by the Commission at its fifty- commissions were entrusted with periodic review of the eighth session and approved by the General Assembly. implementation of the Programme of Action for the He indicated that the draft programme of work, 2004- Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010 2005, had been initially reviewed by ACPR early in emanating from the Third United Nations Conference 2003 and that its comments had been incorporated in the on the Least Developed Countries, held at Brussels in document. May 2001. In that connection, it pointed to the need to establish an effective mechanism for follow-up action. 34. The Executive Secretary informed the Commission that the draft programme of work addressed the key 40. With regard to reviews of the achievement of recommendations on programme planning made by the the Millennium Development Goals, the view was Commission at its fifty-eighth session, including (a) expressed that intercountry comparisons of poverty reorienting work to the three theme areas of poverty levels should be avoided.

4 41. The Commission recognized the need for a Report on the evaluation of ESCAP publications global enabling environment in view of the important contribution which market access and FDI flows could 49. The Commission had before it document make to economic development. It stressed the E/ESCAP/1286 containing a report on the evaluation of importance of the integration of its members and ESCAP publications, which reflected the outcome of a associate members into the multilateral trading system comprehensive evaluation of ESCAP publications and requested the secretariat to ensure the which had been conducted in 2002. The Commission implementation of outputs related to those areas in the endorsed the report, including the plan of action to draft programme of work, 2004-2005. improve the planning, production, processing and 42. The Commission underscored the importance dissemination of ESCAP publications. of the development of transport infrastructure in the region, particularly the development of the Asian 50. The Executive Secretary pointed out that the Highway and Trans-Asian Railway networks as well as evaluation exercise had been undertaken as part of the Asia-Europe and North-South transport corridors. ESCAP revitalization in response to a request by the Commission. The primary purpose of the evaluation 43. The Commission attached importance to had been to assess the impact of ESCAP publications on activities to expand regional and subregional end-users and, based on the outcome, to propose environmental and energy cooperation, including the measures to enhance the quality and usefulness of implementation of the outcome of the World Summit on ESCAP publications and improve the planning, Sustainable Development. It was noted that a production, processing and dissemination processes. recommendation by the Committee on Environment and The secretariat had obtained feedback from a range of Natural Resources Development at its fourth session, users of ESCAP publications and conducted a self- held at Bangkok in November 2002, to convene a assessment. senior-level policy forum to discuss the regional follow- up to the World Summit had not been reflected in the 51. The Commission commended the secretariat programme of work, 2004-2005. for initiating the review of publications and its efforts to streamline the ESCAP publication programme for 44. Under the subprogramme on environment and optimal utilization of resources. It noted with sustainable development, the Commission requested satisfaction the results achieved thus far by the the addition of the words “energy demand forecasting, secretariat in reducing the number of publications by 47 energy pricing” to outputs 2.4 and 4.4. per cent and requested the secretariat to continue its efforts to reduce the number further. 45. Welcoming the establishment of a new subprogramme on information, communication and 52. The Commission supported the measures space technology, the Commission requested that work recommended by the secretariat to enhance the quality be undertaken in the region within the next two years to and impact of ESCAP publications and the criteria for implement the decisions of the first phase of the World quality assurance. It felt that the actions proposed Summit on the Information Society, to be held at should be implemented to improve the quality of Geneva in December 2003,and to prepare for the second ESCAP publications, enhance their user-friendliness, phase of the World Summit, to be held at Tunis in 2005. ensure greater focus and avoid overlap. 46. The Commission commended the secretariat for its timely selection of HIV/AIDS as the theme topic 53. The view was expressed that priority should be for the fifty-ninth session in view of the need to promote given to publications in certain areas, including more awareness of the subject. As HIV/AIDS posed infrastructure development. In addition, it was felt that major challenges to human survival and development, priority should be given to reports of key expert the secretariat had an important role to play in assisting groups and proceedings of ministerial conferences and members and associate members in addressing the regional follow-up to global conferences such as those social and economic dimensions of the epidemic. held at Copenhagen, Beijing and Johannesburg. The Commission noted that members and associate members 47. The view was expressed that the high-level would benefit from easy access to those reference intergovernmental meeting to review the regional materials, which could be made available in either implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and printed or electronic form. With regard to electronic its regional and global outcomes might form part of the dissemination, it was pointed out that, owing to the agenda for the second session of the Committee on digital divide, several developing countries had limited Emerging Social Issues, to be held in 2005. access to the Internet and that fact needed to be noted by the secretariat. 48. The Commission noted the request that more attention be given to technical cooperation activities for 54. The Commission recognized that the countries of South-West Asia in such areas as translation of important documents into local languages macroeconomic policies for growth and mobilization of would increase the impact of ESCAP publications on internal and external resources for economic and social end-users. It was suggested that the secretariat should development. extend its streamlining exercise to other areas such as

5 electronic issuances, technical materials, booklets and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system, parliamentary documentation. which would be fully operational in 2003.

55. The Commission also felt that increased 60. The Executive Secretary informed the cooperation between the secretariat and the national Commission that the total extrabudgetary resources focal points of each country and area would facilitate available to ESCAP for the implementation of its the secretariat’s effort to improve the quality of ESCAP technical cooperation activities in 2002 had been US$ 15.9 publications. million. Of the extrabudgetary resources allocated in 2002, US$ 5.9 million, or 37 per cent, had originated 56. For enhanced focus of ESCAP publications, from sources within the United Nations system. The the view was expressed that the secretariat should remaining US$ 10 million, or 63 per cent, had come restrict its publications in print form to topics which from bilateral donors, including developing and least related to key ESCAP projects and that other developed countries, as well as other intergovernmental information should be published on the ESCAP web and non-governmental organizations. site. Aside from distributing ESCAP publications through an e-mail alert system and in printed form to 61. The Executive Secretary reported that, in 2002, clearly defined target groups, the Commission requested US$ 9.7 million, contributed by bilateral donors the secretariat to explore additional means of including developing and least developed countries, had disseminating publications to maximize their impact and been allocated to technical cooperation activities. Of readership. that amount, US$ 7.8 million had been received from seven developed donor countries, with Japan being the largest contributor. Among the developing members and associate members, the Republic of Korea, China Resource mobilization: technical cooperation and India had been the largest contributors. activities of ESCAP and announcement of intended contributions 62. In addition to cash contributions, donor countries, including developing members, had provided about 188 work-months of the services of experts on a 57. The Commission had before it document non-reimbursable loan basis, which had enhanced the E/ESCAP/1289 and Corr.1 on resource mobilization: implementation capacity of the secretariat’s technical technical cooperation activities of ESCAP and cooperation programme. announcement of intended contributions, as well as information paper ESCAP(LIX)/INF.3 on technical 63. The Commission noted the following cooperation activities funded from extrabudgetary contributions pledged by members and associate resources. members for 2003.

58. The Executive Secretary informed the 64. Australia. The representative of Australia Commission that, as part of its revitalization, the conveyed his Government’s appreciation of cooperation secretariat had introduced far-reaching measures to with ESCAP regarding HIV/AIDS activities. enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its technical cooperation programme. Those measures were driven 65. Bangladesh. The representative of Bangladesh by the need to align technical cooperation activities with confirmed that his Government would make the the priorities of ESCAP members and associate following contributions: members, a stronger orientation of technical cooperation activities towards the new programme structure and a US$ desire to increase the impact of ESCAP’s technical (a) APCTT 7 000 cooperation work in the region. The Executive (b) CGPRT Centre 1 000 Secretary indicated that the decision to concentrate limited technical cooperation resources on fewer projects had already begun to shape the portfolio of 66. Bhutan. The representative of Bhutan indicated ESCAP projects. that her Government would contribute US$ 2,000 towards ESCAP’s programme of work. 59. The Executive Secretary stated that while ESCAP’s newly developed technical cooperation 67. Brunei Darussalam. The representative of guidelines reflected broad policy changes, the Brunei Darussalam announced that his Government secretariat had made a concerted effort to develop a new would contribute as follows: culture of objective-oriented project planning, US$ monitoring and evaluation. Measures taken included the training of 90 secretariat project managers in the (a) Pacific Trust Fund 1 000 application of the logical framework approach, made (b) SIAP 15 000 possible by the generous support of the Government of Germany, the introduction of interactive project In addition, the Government of Brunei Darussalam planning procedures and the establishment of a would contribute US$ 20,000 to APDC.

6 68. Cambodia. The representative of Cambodia The representative of India informed the Commission indicated that his Government had made a contribution that the Government of India was actively considering that was not reflected in document E/ESCAP/1289.1 He enhancing its contributions to APCTT and urged other would communicate his Government’s intended 2003 members and associate members to consider enhancing contribution in due course. their funding support for the Centre.

69. China. The representative of China recalled 73. Indonesia. The representative of Indonesia that in recent years the Government of China had been stated that his Government would communicate its expanding the scope of its technical cooperation with intended contribution to the secretariat at a later date. ESCAP and had increased its contribution to ESCAP’s technical cooperation projects. For 2003, the 74. Islamic Republic of Iran. The representative contribution of the Government of China would be as of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that his follows: Government would communicate its intended (a) RMB 1 million and US$ 100,000 for contribution to the secretariat at a later date. cooperation projects implemented jointly by China and ESCAP 75. Japan. The representative of Japan informed the Commission of his Government’s intention to (b) US$ 40,000 for the ESCAP TCDC contribute US$ 727,600 for the Japan-ESCAP supplementary fund Cooperation Fund. His Government was also giving (c) US$ 10,000 for the Pacific Trust Fund positive consideration to the continued provision of resources to SIAP, the CGPRT Centre, the Typhoon The relevant government agencies of China would Committee and specific programmes of work of ESCAP, provide additional resources for the implementation of including the North-East Asian Subregional Programme China-ESCAP cooperation projects. In addition, the of Environmental Cooperation. The representative of Government of China had committed itself to providing Japan urged the secretariat to utilize its available financial support totalling US$ 3.8 million, together resources in a more efficient and transparent manner. with 1,000 square metres of office space, to APCAEM for the first five years of its operation. 76. Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The representative of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic 70. Fiji. The representative of Fiji announced that announced that, in view of the limited availability of her Government would meet its current financial resources, it would maintain its current level of commitments. contribution of US$ 2,000 to the ESCAP programme of work. 71. France. The representative of France informed the Commission of his Government’s 77. Malaysia. The representative of Malaysia cooperation with the Information, Communication announced that her Government would maintain its and Space Technology Division and its provision of current level of contribution. US$ 200,000 over three years for the Division’s activities. Of that sum, approximately US$ 150,000 78. Mongolia. The representative of Mongolia was to be used in the next two years for the project on announced that a modest contribution would be made capacity-building for disaster management in Asia and available in due course. the Pacific. For that project, the Government of France would also make available to ESCAP the services of an 79. Nepal. The representative of Nepal announced expert on a non-reimbursable loan basis. As part of its his Government’s intention to maintain the same level cooperation with the CGPRT Centre, the Government of of contribution as for the previous year. France committed approximately US$ 19,000 to the Centre, as well as the services of an expert on a non- 80. Netherlands. The representative of the reimbursable loan basis. Netherlands announced that his Government was not in a position to make any additional commitments at the 72. India. The representative of India announced present time. that his Government would make the following contributions: 81. New Zealand. The representative of New US$ Zealand stated that his Government would determine its (a) APCTT 100 000 contribution following the completion of an ongoing (in Indian rupees) review of its partnership with the United Nations and (b) SIAP 15 000 other multilateral organizations. (c) APCAEM 15 000 82. Pakistan. The representative of Pakistan (d) CGPRT Centre 10 000 recalled the regular contributions which his Government had made to SIAP and the CGPRT Centre. It had initiated steps to arrange annual contributions to 1 The secretariat received a contribution of US$ 2,950 in January 2003. In accordance with established practice, that APCAEM. Details would be provided in due course. amount will be reflected in the 2004 report. He also announced in-kind contributions in the context

7 of the memorandum of understanding recently concluded eighth session in 2002, his Government had already with ESCAP on a third country training programme. He announced its contributions for a two-year project. He noted that, owing to external factors, Pakistan had not had no additional announcement to convey at benefited much from APCTT activities. present.

83. Philippines. The representative of the 90. Viet Nam. The representative of Viet Nam Philippines announced that his Government would make announced that for 2003 her Government would the following contributions: maintain the same contribution as for 2002. (a) APCTT P 245 000 91. In announcing the intended contributions for (b) CGPRT Centre P 343 000 2003, several delegations emphasized that their (c) APCAEM P 441 000 Governments attached great importance to the technical (d) SIAP P 595 000 cooperation activities of ESCAP and the training activities of regional institutions and pledged to 84. Republic of Korea. The representative of the continue their support and cooperation. Republic of Korea announced that his Government was considering increasing the level of its contribution to the 92. Several delegations expressed satisfaction with Korea-ESCAP Cooperation Fund in excess of the 2002 the secretariat’s measures to revitalize its technical contribution of US$ 400,000. His Government would cooperation programme and noted that many members also contribute US$ 10,000 to each of the four regional and associate members had benefited from the institutions (APCAEM, APCTT, CGPRT Centre and secretariat’s technical cooperation activities. They SIAP). In addition, it would continue to make available reaffirmed their Governments’ support for ESCAP’s to ESCAP the services of experts on a non-reimbursable results-oriented approach to its technical cooperation loan basis. The representative of the Republic of Korea projects. The representative of India suggested that the noted the effective implementation of the ESCAP secretariat involve beneficiary countries in the project on replication of Saemaul Undong best evaluation of technical cooperation projects so as to practices and confirmed its planned 2003 contribution reduce costs. of US$ 118,000 for the project. The Republic of Korea 93. The Commission expressed appreciation to its would also contribute US$ 75,000 to APDC. members and associate members for their continued 85. Russian Federation. The representative of the efforts in implementing TCDC-related activities, Russian Federation announced that his Government including workshops, training courses and study visits would communicate its intended contribution to the to enhance the managerial and technical capabilities of secretariat at a later date. beneficiary countries in numerous areas. It also suggested that TCDC-related activities be further 86. Sri Lanka. The representative of Sri Lanka promoted and facilitated with secretariat assistance. It announced that his Government would make a was proposed that more attention be paid to matching contribution of US$ 10,000 to SIAP. In addition, Sri the needs of beneficiary countries with assistance that Lanka would contribute US$ 4,500 to APDC. could be provided by higher-capacity countries.

87. Thailand. The representative of Thailand 94. The Commission recognized the important announced that his Government would make the role, within the framework of TCDC, of third following contributions: country training programmes. Through that modality, participating countries were not only recipients of (a) APCTT B 645 000 assistance but also partners, thereby enhancing the spirit (b) CGPRT Centre US$ 5 000 of cooperation and self-reliance among developing (c) SIAP US$ 20 000 countries. (d) Trust fund for the US$ 2 000 participation of the disadvantaged 95. The Commission noted with appreciation that the Government of India had signed a memorandum of economies in transition and Mongolia understanding with ESCAP with a view to organizing (e) Pacific Trust Fund US$ 1 000 training programmes and strengthening its interface with ESCAP. It noted that the Government of India was Thailand had already contributed US$ 12,000 to the planning to organize, in collaboration with ESCAP, a Typhoon Committee and US$ 1,000 to the Tropical number of training programmes on WTO issues as well Cyclone Trust Fund and would also contribute US$ 40,000 as on highway projects during the current year; India to CCOP. indicated that additional donors whose financial support 88. Turkey. The representative of Turkey stated could make such programmes more useful and effective that his Government would support joint ESCAP-ECO needed to be identified. The Government of India also activities. announced its intention to organize several activities and projects on information, communication and space 89. United States of America. The representative technology applications, e-readiness, remote sensing, of the United States of America stated that, at the fifty- GIS and satellite-based positioning, space technology,

8 evaluation of poverty alleviation programmes, continue to exert its best efforts to assist developing telecommunication sectors in human resources members and associate members, particularly the least development and capacity-building, and affordable rural developed, landlocked and island developing countries connectivity solutions. Furthermore, the Government of and areas, and economies in transition, through its India was considering the possibility of hosting, in technical cooperation programmes. He acknowledged cooperation with the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, a with appreciation the pledges of intended contributions meeting on an Asian initiative for the information by members and associate members as a reaffirmation society. India also offered to share its expertise, of their continuing commitment to the ideals and experience and capabilities with other developing and purposes for which the Commission had been least developed members and associate members, established, thereby enabling ESCAP to carry out its especially in the conduct of renewable energy activities. mandate effectively. 96. The Government of Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to promoting TCDC. It had organized jointly with ESCAP two training programmes on Transit transport issues in landlocked and training on rehabilitation for physically handicapped transit developing countries persons and on remote sensing and GIS technologies for integrated water and land resources management, in 101. The Commission had before it document addition to eight other training programmes conducted E/ESCAP/1282 and Corr.1 on transit transport issues in in collaboration with the Government of Japan through landlocked and transit developing countries. It the third country training programme of JICA. considered that the documentation prepared under that Moreover, the Government of Indonesia, in item reflected the transit transport systems of the region collaboration with the Government of Brunei and effectively identified common issues and concerns Darussalam, had provided support to the Non-Aligned of both the landlocked and transit countries. Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation at Jakarta, which implemented programmes 102. The Commission noted that in an era of that benefited ESCAP members and associate members globalization, economic growth and development were through the exchange of information and development closely linked to the provision of adequate and efficient experiences, and training workshops and seminars. transport infrastructure and services. It further noted that landlocked and transit countries in the Asian and 97. The Commission noted with appreciation the Pacific region were particularly constrained by a range successful cooperative third country training of difficulties, including geographic disadvantages, high programme arrangement between ESCAP and the transport costs, less developed infrastructure facilities Government of Malaysia, which had entered its sixth and inadequate management information. It also noted year. Under the programme, the development that emerging opportunities for intraregional trade were experiences of Malaysia were shared with other stimulating the demand for landlocked countries to developing countries through the provision of training serve as “land-linking” countries by providing transit and advisory services and the organization of study services to their neighbours. visits. In 2002, training courses had been organized in a variety of areas, including environmental protection, 103. Stressing the importance of addressing the solar energy applications, biogas technology and issues and concerns with respect to transit transport at information technology management in the public the highest level, the Commission welcomed the sector. convening of the International Ministerial Conference of 98. The Commission also noted with appreciation Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and that ESCAP had been implementing the project on Donor Countries and International Financial and providing basic services to the poor through public- Development Institutions on Transit Transport private partnerships. It expressed the hope that that Cooperation, scheduled to be held at Almaty on 28 and initiative in the four critical areas of energy, water, 29 August 2003. It noted with appreciation the health and biodiversity would help member countries in extensive preparations being made for the Conference developing capacities in those areas. by Kazakhstan as the host country and encouraged all members and associate members to participate actively 99. The Commission urged developed countries at the highest level. and multilateral organizations to further support the process of TCDC, not only through the provision of 104. The Commission recognized that for transit technical and advisory support, but also by providing transport issues to be addressed effectively, a funding support to achieve the full potential of TCDC. comprehensive approach was required involving relevant government ministries, agencies and the private 100. The Executive Secretary expressed gratitude to sector. It considered that there was a need to establish all donor countries, developing members and associate mutually beneficial partnerships between landlocked members, funding agencies within the United Nations countries, transit developing countries and the system and other organizations for their generous and international community that included collaboration invaluable extrabudgetary and in-kind contributions. with other relevant stakeholders, including donors and He assured the Commission that the secretariat would the private sector.

9 105. The Commission took note of the information issued subsequently for submission to the International provided by individual countries with respect to the Ministerial Conference. In that regard, it proposed that development of transit transport, including the regional platform be considered as the basis for the infrastructure and facilitation measures, as well as the global action plan expected to emanate from the valuable experience existing in the region in the Conference. development and implementation of bilateral, trilateral 112. To ensure the successful implementation of the and subregional agreements on transit transport. regional platform, the Commission requested the 106. The Commission proposed that landlocked and secretariat to give high priority to addressing the issues transit developing countries should, with the assistance of transit transport, facilitation and related capacity- of donor countries and international organizations, building activities. In that regard, it noted the enhance their bilateral and multilateral cooperation and importance of the full involvement of subregional promote economic and trade development within the organizations in the development of transit transport region by formulating model framework agreements systems. It noted the request of the Government of that could be utilized by countries to facilitate and Kazakhstan for advisory services on the involvement of increase the efficiency of transit transport. freight forwarders in the commercial carriage of containers by rail and the organization of a training 107. The Commission recalled that the Seoul seminar on multimodal transport. Declaration adopted by the second Ministerial Conference on Infrastructure, held at Seoul in 113. The Commission recommended that the November 2001, had served as a blueprint for strategic outcomes of the International Ministerial Conference reference at the national, subregional and regional and their implementation be considered by the levels. In that regard, it noted the relevance of the Subcommittee on Transport Infrastructure and ongoing activities being undertaken by the secretariat Facilitation and Tourism in 2004. It requested the within the framework of phase II of the Regional Action secretariat to conduct in 2005 an evaluation of the Programme, 2002-2006, of the New Delhi Action Plan implementation of the recommendations emanating on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific, from the Conference. which were contributing to the improvement of transit 114. The Commission expressed deep appreciation transport systems. In particular, it also noted that further to the Government of Japan for its generous support for work on the development of integrated intermodal those preparatory activities, as well as its support to transport systems in the Asian region could contribute to countries for their participation in the Conference. addressing the challenges faced by landlocked countries. Election of the governing boards of 108. The Commission noted the relevance of such regional institutions projects as those on Trans-Asian Railway Northern Corridor container demonstration runs and an integrated 115. In accordance with paragraph 9 of the Statute international transport and logistics system for North- of the Regional Coordination Centre for Research and East Asia to transit transport and encouraged all Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber concerned countries to participate fully in those Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific, the activities so as to ensure their successful Commission elected, in addition to the host country, implementation. Indonesia, the following members to the Governing Board of the Centre for the period 2003-2006: 109. The Commission requested the secretariat to Bangladesh, France, India, Japan, Philippines, Republic prepare a status paper on the implementation of the of Korea and Thailand. Asian Highway and Trans-Asian Railway projects in member countries indicating missing links and potential 116. In accordance with paragraph 10 of the Statute funding requirements for further development. of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery, the Commission elected, in 110. The Commission noted the interest of many addition to the host country, China, the following countries in the “North-South” international transport members to the Governing Board of APCAEM for the corridor and the action being taken by India, the Islamic period 2003-2006: Fiji, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation to Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Viet Nam. encourage other countries along the corridor to join the initiative. In that regard, it noted with interest that 117. Based on its expression of interest at the Kazakhstan was considering joining the agreement. session, the Commission also agreed to consider Pakistan to have been elected to the governing boards of 111. Following extensive and constructive both regional institutions, subject to subsequent receipt discussions, the Commission expressed support for the of confirmation from its Government. framework of recommendations and action plan contained in document E/ESCAP/1282 and Corr.1 as a 118. The Commission noted that agriculture was practical framework for strengthening transit transport one of the most important sectors for sustainable systems and endorsed the regional platform, as amended livelihoods for a majority of people in Asia and the in document E/ESCAP/1282/Rev.2, which would be Pacific and that APCAEM would undertake agricultural

10 engineering and technical activities to improve the agreement on the hosting of the session with the productivity of the rural sector. It expressed Government of China and providing the Government appreciation to the Government of China for its efforts with full cooperation in holding it. The Government of to assist the secretariat in making APCAEM operational China would be responsible for the additional as soon as possible, including financial support of administrative, logistical and financial expenditure US$ 3.8 million for a period of five years and the involved in holding the session away from the provision of temporary office premises. The headquarters of the Commission and for fulfilling its Commission also noted with appreciation the obligations under the agreement on the hosting of the Government of Finland’s funding support of US$ 1.25 session. million for the same period. It encouraged more of its members to join APCAEM and appealed to other 121. It was noted that, in accordance with resolution donors and United Nations agencies for additional 58/1 of 22 May 2002 on restructuring the conference resources. structure of the Commission, the eighth session of the Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries would be held back to back with the Commission Date, venue and theme topic of the sixtieth session at Shanghai on 20 and 21 April 2004. session of the Commission 122. The Commission agreed that the theme topic for the sixtieth session would be “Meeting the 119. The Commission had before it document challenges in an era of rapid globalization by E/ESCAP/1295. It welcomed the generous offer by the strengthening regional development cooperation”, Government of China to host the sixtieth session of the subject to a final decision by the Commission during the Commission and decided that it should be held at second phase of the fifty-ninth session. Shanghai, China, from 22 to 28 April 2004. As required by rule 1 of its rules of procedure, the Commission requested the Executive Secretary to take the necessary Other matters action to obtain the approval of the Economic and Social Council for that decision. 123. The Commission noted a statement by the representative of Indonesia inviting members and 120. The Commission called upon all its members associate members of the Commission to a seminar on and associate members to send high-level delegations crisis management in the field of tourism to be and participate actively in the session. It requested the organized by his Government in cooperation with Executive Secretary to start preparations for the session ESCAP in Bali, sometime in August or September as early as possible, among which were concluding an 2003.

Annex I

PROGRAMME OF WORK, 2004-2005

CONTENTS

Page

Subprogrammes

1. Poverty and development...... 13

2. Statistics...... 17

3. Trade and investment...... 20

4. Transport and tourism...... 23

5. Environment and sustainable development...... 27

6. Information, communication and space technology...... 31

7. Social development, including emerging social issues ...... 35

Subprogramme 1. Poverty and development

Introduction

The subprogramme is under the responsibility of the Poverty and Development Division and the ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre.

Objective for the biennium, expected accomplishments, indicators of achievement and external factors

Objective: To strengthen the capacity of ESCAP members and associate members to identify and analyse opportunities and constraints relating to poverty eradication and to design and implement policies and programmes to reduce poverty in accordance with the relevant Millennium Development Goals.

Expected accomplishments Indicators of achievement

1. Increased priority accorded to poverty 1. Greater attention given to poverty reduction, with due reduction policies, with due attention to the attention to the gender dimensions of poverty, (a) in national gender dimensions of poverty, at the national economic growth and development policies and (b) in local and local levels. policies and plans, as evidenced by increased coverage of poverty-related issues and increased proportional budgetary allocations.

2. More effective planning and 2. Increase in the number of counterparts that incorporate implementation of poverty reduction into their work ESCAP-promoted good practices in poverty programmes at the national and local levels. reduction.

External factors The subprogramme is expected to achieve its objectives on the assumption that the members and associate members will take into account poverty reduction policies recommended by ESCAP; national institutions and local authorities will be willing to collaborate and provide relevant information; and sufficient financial resources will be made available to ESCAP, in particular for its operational activities.

Strategy The subprogramme will be implemented through the following strategy:

Subprogramme focus

In support of the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus and the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, a blend of multidisciplinary research and operational activities will be undertaken on pro-poor policies and strategies and the macroeconomic, socio-economic and institutional aspects of poverty reduction as well as the gender dimensions of poverty. The research and analytical work will cover the monitoring of global and regional economic trends and issues that have an impact on poverty and will provide an in-depth analysis of wide-ranging macroeconomic reforms undertaken by the developing economies in the ESCAP region and of new challenges and opportunities for the economies in the region arising from the process of globalization and liberalization. Operational activities will be geared towards the documentation, adaptation and dissemination of good practices in poverty reduction through pilot projects and to the provision of advice and assistance to build the capacity of members and associate members in the region to adapt and replicate these practices. It will focus particularly on achieving a significant improvement in the living conditions of slum dwellers as proposed in the “Cities without Slums” initiative as part of the process towards the implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration.

Special attention will be paid to the emerging economic and social issues faced by least developed, landlocked and island developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Regular exchange of information and experiences on relevant problems and policies will be promoted to ensure the integration and full participation of the members and associate members concerned in the global and regional economies.

Immediate beneficiaries of the outputs

The immediate beneficiaries of the outputs will be the Governments of ESCAP members and associate members and government officials directly involved in poverty reduction and the formulation and implementation of macroeconomic policy. Local governments, civil society organizations and low-income communities, particularly women, will benefit from the outputs to be delivered by the subprogramme through the adaptation of good practices in poverty reduction to local conditions and through the strengthening of their capacity to replicate the practices to implement pro-poor policies. To promote effective management, exchange and transfer of poverty-related knowledge, the subprogramme will strengthen regional networks of key institutions and organizations concerned with poverty reduction, organize regional forums on poverty reduction where stakeholders discuss and review policies and practices to reduce poverty, share information and establish regional resource facilities on poverty- related issues.

Major changes from the biennium 2002-2003

The subprogramme will be reoriented towards the provision of assistance to the members and associate members in the ESCAP region to meet the Millennium Development Goals, implement the Monterrey Consensus and the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development as well as provide synergy between analytical and operational activities.

Outputs

The subprogramme is expected to deliver the following outputs to achieve its objective:

I. Servicing of intergovernmental and expert bodies (RB)

1. Substantive servicing of the legislative meetings approved by the Commission, including the preparation of related publications and documents and the organization of related events:

1.1 Annual Commission sessions (2004, 2005)

- Flagship publication - Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (annual)

- An ad hoc expert group on development issues and policies will review the outline of the Survey, which will be launched in selected member countries of ESCAP and United Nations organizations, prior to the annual Commission sessions. - Organization of informal meetings on countries with economies in transition (2004, 2005)

- Organization of an informal meeting on Pacific island developing countries (2005)

- Reports on the current economic situation and policy issues (2004, 2005)

- Reports of the Committee on Poverty Reduction (2004, 2005)

- Report of the Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries (2004)

- Reports on issues related to poverty reduction (2004, 2005)

1.2 Biennial session of the Committee on Poverty Reduction (2005) - Report of the Subcommittee on Poverty Reduction Practices (2005)

- Report on the impact of emerging economic issues on poverty (2005)

- Report on poverty reduction policies and strategies (2005)

1.3 Biennial session of the Subcommittee on Poverty Reduction Practices (2004) - Reports on issues in poverty reduction (2 in 2004)

1.4 Biennial session of the Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries (2005) - Reports on issues related to Pacific island developing countries (2 in 2004)

2. Organization of ad hoc expert group meetings on: 2.1 Review of decentralization policies and their impact on urban poverty (2005) 2.2 Rural poverty reduction and rural development (2004) 3. Assistance to the Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, as mandated by the Tashkent Declaration on the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, 1998: 3.1 Follow-up to the International Economic Conference on Tajikistan in the Regional Context of Central Asia (2004, 2005)

II. Other substantive activities (RB/XB)

1. Provision of data, information and analyses through: Recurrent publications

1.1 Asia-Pacific Development Journal (biannual) (RB)

1.2 Development Papers (annual) (RB)

One issue will focus on priority policies to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific and the other on priority policies to implement the Monterrey Consensus in Asia and the Pacific. 1.3 Bulletin on Asia-Pacific Perspectives (annual) (RB)

A meeting of eminent persons on economic and social performance and issues will review the outline of the Bulletin (RB).

Non-recurrent publications

1.4 Three issues of the monograph series on poverty reduction: (a) good and innovative practices for improving the living conditions of slum dwellers (2004) (RB); (b) micro-macro linkages between poverty reduction and sustainable development (2005) (RB/XB); and (c) the role of secondary towns and their rural-urban linkages in poverty reduction (2005) (RB)

1.5 Manual on good practices for rural poverty reduction (2005) (RB)

Electronic issuances

1.6 ESCAP web page on poverty and development (quarterly updating, 2004-2005) (RB)

Technical material

1.7 Two working papers on: (a) micro-macro linkages for poverty reduction (2004) (RB/XB); and (b) effective pro-poor economic growth policies and experiences in Asia and the Pacific (2005) (RB/XB)

2. Organization of special events to commemorate: 2.1 World Poverty Eradication Day (2004, 2005) (RB)

2.2 World Habitat Day (2004, 2005) (RB)

3. Organization of inter-agency meetings: 3.1 Regional Coordination Meeting Thematic Working Group on Poverty Reduction and Food Security (2004, 2005) (RB)

3.2 Regional Inter-agency Consultative Meeting on Good Urban Governance (2004, 2005) (RB)

III. Technical cooperation (RB/XB)

1. Provision of advisory services at the request of the Governments on: 1.1 Macroeconomic policy and related institution-building in island developing countries (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 1.2 Good poverty reduction practices (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB)

1.3 Strengthening of local governments to implement poverty reduction strategies in line with the Millennium Development Goals and the Habitat Agenda (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB)

2. Provision of group training on: 2.1 Micro-macro linkages: poverty reduction and sustainable development (2005) (RB/XB) 2.2 Debt management and financial issues for development in Asia and the Pacific (2004) (RB/XB) 2.3 Least developed countries’ issues in financing for development, foreign direct investment and trade liberalization arising from the Monterrey Consensus and the Brussels Plan of Action (2005) (RB/XB) 2.4 Dissemination of Saemaul Undong poverty reduction practices in least developed countries (2 in 2004) (RB/XB) 2.5 Promoting access to markets, market information and credit for the rural poor through good practices with a gender focus (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.6 Poverty, urbanization and economic development – Third Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (2005) (RB/XB) 2.7 The role of secondary towns and their rural-urban linkages in poverty reduction (2005) (RB/XB) 2.8 Good practices relating to urban poor participation in environmental management at the local level (2004) (RB/XB)

3. Provision of technical cooperation projects on: 3.1 Provision of basic services to the poor through public-private partnerships: ESCAP follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (capacity-building for a public-private partnership facilities component) (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.2 Management of water resources for poverty reduction (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

3.3 Policy priorities to reduce poverty and promote growth in countries with economies in transition (2004) (RB/XB) 3.4 Poverty reduction support to local governments and regional networks, including LOGOTRI, CITYNET, ACHR, Asia-Urbs and IULA (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB) 3.5 Establishment and strengthening of regional resource centres to support urban poverty reduction programmes in areas such as slum improvement, women in local government and human security (2005) (RB/XB) 3.6 Rural-urban linkages for poverty reduction (demonstration projects in least developed countries) (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB) 3.7 Slum improvement (pilot projects) (5 in 2004)

3.8 Participation of the urban poor in environmental management (pilot projects) (1 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB) 3.9 Implementation of the Habitat Agenda and the Millennium Development Goals (joint project with UN-HABITAT) (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.10 Regional implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.11 Support to the Regional Coordination Centre for Research and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific in technical cooperation activities (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

Subprogramme 2. Statistics

Introduction

The subprogramme is under the responsibility of the Statistics Division.

Objective for the biennium, expected accomplishments, indicators of achievement and external factors

Objective: To improve the statistical capabilities of ESCAP members and associate members, with a special focus on strengthening their capacity to collate and utilize sectoral data, particularly relating to poverty, and measure progress towards mobilizing international, regional and national resources in achieving development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration.

Expected accomplishments Indicators of achievement

1. More effective generation and 1 (a). An increase in good-quality data produced by national dissemination of data on poverty and other statistical offices interacting with ESCAP required to monitor the areas of the Millennium Development Goals achievement of internationally agreed development goals, and economic and social development, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium including sex-disaggregated and gender- Declaration, as evidenced by greater availability, improved specific data. timeliness, greater accuracy and better consistency. 1 (b). An increase in comparable data on poverty and other areas of the millennium development goals and economic and social development, including sex-disaggregated and gender-specific data, made available by countries for compilation and dissemination on the ESCAP web site.

2. Increased priority accorded to the use of 2. An increase in the publication of statistics corresponding to internationally recognized statistical standards internationally recognized statistical standards and principles by and principles. national statistical offices interacting with ESCAP, as evidenced by additional national statistical offices subscribing to the Special Data Dissemination Standard or participating in the General Data Dissemination System.

External factors The subprogramme is expected to achieve its objectives on the assumption that members and associate members have the resources to implement recommendations and accord priority to compiling data for monitoring internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration; and sufficient financial resources are made available to ESCAP, in particular for its operational activities.

Strategy

The subprogramme will be implemented through the following strategy:

Subprogramme focus

The subprogramme will contribute to improving the capacity of national statistical systems, particularly in priority areas determined by members and associate members for the purpose of reviewing the achievements pertaining to internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration.

The subprogramme will also collect and disseminate statistical data on the countries and areas in the region. Statistical indicators relating to the Millennium Development Goals will be included in the data holdings of the secretariat.

Immediate beneficiaries of the outputs The immediate beneficiaries of the outputs will be national statistical systems, with particular emphasis on national statistical offices. The indirect beneficiaries are the users of statistical data, including government agencies and international agencies, which need reliable and timely data to fulfil their respective missions.

Major changes from the biennium 2002-2003 The major changes from the biennium 2002-2003 will be the subject matter to be taken up in the training and technical cooperation activities undertaken by the subprogramme. More emphasis will be placed on the development of common methodologies and harmonized approaches for the appraisal of poverty levels as well as for measuring and monitoring poverty.

Outputs The subprogramme is expected to deliver the following outputs to achieve its objective:

I. Servicing of intergovernmental and expert bodies (RB)

1. Substantive servicing of the legislative meetings approved by the Commission, including the preparation of related documents and the organization of related events: 1.1 Annual Commission sessions (2004, 2005) - Report on issues related to statistics (2005) 1.2 Biennial session of the Committee on Poverty Reduction (2005) - Report of the Subcommittee on Statistics (2005) - Report on issues related to statistics (2005) 1.3 Biennial session of the Subcommittee on Statistics (2004)

- Report on issues related to statistics (2004) - Report on activities of the secretariat in the field of statistics (2004) - Exhibit for the Subcommittee on Statistics (2004) 2. Organization of ad hoc expert group meetings on: 2.1 Statistical indicators on Millennium Development Goals (2004) 2.2 Data dissemination (2005)

II. Other substantive activities (RB/XB)

1. Provision of data, information and analysis through:

Recurrent publications

1.1 Statistical Newsletter (annual) (RB) 1.2 Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific (annual) (RB)

1.3 Statistical Indicators for Asia and the Pacific (annual) (RB)

1.4 Asia-Pacific in Figures (annual) (RB)

Non-recurrent publications

1.5 Improving the quality of the statistics used for selected Millennium Development Goal indicators (2005) (RB/XB)

1.6 Towards international comparability of data (2005) (RB/XB)

1.7 Women and men in Asia and the Pacific (volume I, statistical profile) (2004) (RB/XB)

Electronic issuance

1.8 ESCAP web page on statistics (weekly updating, 2004-2005) (RB)

Fact sheets

1.9 Fact sheets on general/thematic statistics (2005) (RB)

Technical material

1.10 Data disseminated on electronic media (Internet, CD-ROM, diskettes, etc.) (2004, 2005) (RB)

1.11 Responses to ad hoc requests for statistical information from outside users (2004-2005) (RB)

1.12 Maintenance of data holdings in the ESCAP Statistical Information System (2004-2005) (RB)

III. Technical cooperation (RB/XB)

1. Provision of advisory services at the request of the Governments on: 1.1 Statistics on gender issues, other aspects of socio-economic statistics and indicators and application of information technology (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB)

2. Provision of group training on: 2.1 Poverty statistics and statistics on gender issues and other aspects of social and demographic statistics, including follow-up to global conferences and the Millennium Development Goals (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.2 Economic and environment statistics, including national accounts and environmental accounting, and statistics on statistical organization and management (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.3 Application of information and communication technology in statistical offices and measurement of the information society and the knowledge-based economy (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

3. Provision of technical cooperation projects on: 3.1 International Comparison Programme (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.2 Forging new partnerships to end violence against women (statistical component) (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.3 Support to the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific in technical cooperation activities (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

Subprogramme 3. Trade and investment

Introduction

The subprogramme is under the responsibility of the Trade and Investment Division.

Objective for the biennium, expected accomplishments, indicators of achievement and external factors

Objective: To enhance the capacity of ESCAP members and associate members to integrate effectively into the world economy through sustained trade and investment.

Expected accomplishments Indicators of achievement 1. More effective policies and programmes by 1 (a). An increase in the number of policies, laws, regulations Governments and the private sector for and procedures that reflect principles promoted by ESCAP and increasing (a) trade and investment and (b) policy guidelines in (a) and (b). enterprise development, including its gender dimensions. 1 (b). Introduction of programmes by public and private institutions interacting with ESCAP that reflect good practices promoted by ESCAP in the area of enterprise development, including its gender dimensions.

2. Improved national decision-making and 2 (a). An increase in the number of policy decisions and participation in regional and multilateral trade position papers by national institutions interacting with ESCAP and investment agreements and mechanisms. that reflect more effective participation in regional and multilateral trade and investment agreements and mechanisms (e.g., Bangkok Agreement and World Trade Organization).

2 (b). Reduction in trade barriers among the Bangkok Agreement members, as evidenced by lower preferential tariff margins.

External factors The subprogramme is expected to achieve its objectives on the assumption that the members and associate members will take into account ESCAP recommendations in the implementation of policies and programmes; national institutions will be willing to provide relevant information; and sufficient financial resources will be made available to ESCAP, in particular for its operational activities.

Strategy

The subprogramme will be implemented through the following strategy:

Subprogramme focus The focus will be in accordance with the Doha Ministerial Declaration, which refers to the implementation of technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives to enable developing, least developed countries and countries with economies in transition to participate more effectively in the multilateral trading system. The focus will also be in line with the Millennium Development Goals, the Monterrey Consensus and the key outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which clearly recognize the important role that an open, equitable, predictable and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system can play in achieving sustainable development and poverty reduction. In this connection, the subprogramme will address issues related to trade policy, trade facilitation, market access, enterprise development and investment promotion and facilitation.

Immediate beneficiaries of the outputs The immediate beneficiaries of the outputs will be government policy makers and decision makers, trade and industry associations, private sector entrepreneurs, particularly those in small and medium-sized enterprises, chambers of commerce, investment promotion bodies, financial organizations, non-governmental organizations, academia and trade service providers.

Major changes from the biennium 2002-2003 The subprogramme will move away from activities related to industrial restructuring, technology flows and trade exhibitions. It will focus more on trade and investment policy, trade efficiency and enterprise development, with particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprise development. Capacity-building initiatives on matters related to follow-up to the Doha Development Agenda, the Monterrey Consensus and the key outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development will be increased and information services will be strengthened and expanded. Technical assistance provided under the Bangkok Agreement will be increased.

Outputs The subprogramme is expected to deliver the following outputs to achieve its objective:

I. Servicing of intergovernmental and expert bodies (RB)

- Report of the Subcommittee on International Trade and Investment (2005) - Report on issues related to trade and investment (2005) 1.3 Biennial session of the Subcommittee on International Trade and Investment (2004)

- Reports on issues related to trade, investment and enterprise development (2 in 2004)

2. Organization of ad hoc expert group meetings on: 2.1 Trade and development financing linkages (2004) 2.2 Globalization and emerging issues in trade and investment: implications for small and medium- sized enterprise development and export competitiveness (2005) 2.3 Enhancing access to information sources for negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda (2004)

3. Assistance to intergovernmental bodies under their established mandates: 3.1 Annual sessions of the Standing Committee of the Bangkok Agreement (2004, 2005) - Reports (2004, 2005)

II. Other substantive activities (RB/XB) 1. Provision of data, information and analysis through: Recurrent publication 1.1 Investment Promotion and Enterprise Development Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific (annual) (RB)

Non-recurrent publications 1.2 Eight issues of the monograph series on managing globalization: (a) regional perspectives on the Doha Development Agenda (2004) (RB/XB); (b) finance for trade development and the Monterrey Consensus (2004) (RB); (c) facilitating accession to the World Trade Organization: country perspectives (2005) (RB/XB); (d) trade efficiency and facilitation (2005); (e) export competitiveness as related to trade management and financing (2004) (RB/XB); (f) enterprise development and promotion of women’s entrepreneurship (2004) (RB); (g) promoting information and communication technology applications in rural small and medium-sized enterprises for increasing export competitiveness (2005) (RB); and (h) policies and good practices for investment promotion in weaker economies (2005) (RB/XB) 1.3 Trade information manual for landlocked countries in Asia and the Pacific (2005)

Electronic issuance 1.4 ESCAP web page on managing globalization: trade and investment (monthly updating, 2004-2005) (RB) Fact sheets and information kits 1.5 Information materials on managing globalization: trade and investment (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB) Technical material 1.6 Technical information in response to requests from the public and private sectors and non-governmental organizations and dissemination (in/out via the e-mail address: on a daily basis) (2004-2005) (RB) 1.7 Internet database series on managing globalization: trade- and investment-related information service (2004) (RB/XB) 1.8 Internet database series on managing globalization: trade research and training institutes directory (2004) (RB/XB) 1.9 Internet database series on managing globalization: upgrading to online maintenance of the Directory of Trade and Investment-related Organizations of Developing Countries and Areas in Asia and the Pacific (2005) (RB/XB) III. Technical cooperation (RB/XB) 1. Provision of advisory services at the request of the Governments on: 1.1 Trade agreements, including the Bangkok Agreement, trade facilitation and accession to the World Trade Organization (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB) 2. Provision of group training on: 2.1 Trade policy (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.2 Trade and information technology enabling policies (2004) (RB/XB) 2.3 Mutually supportive trade liberalization and development policies (2005) (RB/XB) 2.4 Capacity-building in trade and investment information source networking making use of information and communication technology (2004) (RB/XB) 2.5 Trade management and financing (2005) (RB/XB) 2.6 Trade efficiency and facilitation (2005) (RB/XB) 2.7 Strengthening capacities in investment promotion and facilitation (2004) (RB/XB) 2.8 Enterprise development and entrepreneurship, including women entrepreneurs (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.9 Good practices in investment policy and promotion of the developing economies (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.10 Subregional investment forums (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB) 2.11 Capacity-building and networking of business associations in the least developed countries and the countries with economies in transition (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.12 Enterprise development in the least developed countries and the countries with economies in transition (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 3. Provision of technical cooperation projects on: 3.1 Building capacity to implement trade agreements effectively (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.2 Building capacity on the emerging World Trade Organization negotiating agenda (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.3 Enhancing the capacity of members and associate members to accede to the World Trade Organization (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.4 Support to the Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery in technical cooperation activities (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

Subprogramme 4. Transport and tourism

Introduction

The subprogramme is under the responsibility of the Transport and Tourism Division.

Objective for the biennium, expected accomplishments, indicators of achievement and external factors

Objective: To strengthen the capacity of ESCAP members and associate members to formulate and implement national, regional and interregional transport policies and initiatives with a view to improving access to regional and global markets and to strengthen the role of tourism in economic and social development.

Expected accomplishments Indicators of achievement 1. More effective policies and programmes 1. An increase in the number of policies and programmes by Governments, civil society and the private that reflect principles promoted by ESCAP in (a) and (b). sector to enhance (a) transport logistics and public-private partnerships in transport and (b) the social and environmental aspects of transport and tourism.

2. Improved implementation and decision- 2. An increase in the number of policy decisions and making on agreements related to regional position papers by national counterpart organizations transport networks and cross-border and interacting with ESCAP that reflect ESCAP-promoted transit transport. programmes related to agreements on regional transport networks and cross-border and transit transport.

External factors The subprogramme is expected to achieve its objectives on the assumption that the members and associate members will take into account ESCAP-promoted principles and programmes and sufficient financial resources will be made available to ESCAP, in particular for its operational activities.

Strategy

The subprogramme will be implemented through the following strategy:

Subprogramme focus

The subprogramme will (a) coordinate and facilitate the development of regional and interregional transport linkages that will enhance the ability of ESCAP members and associate members to compete in regional and global markets, (b) play a proactive role in promoting the development of national and regional transport systems through international policy dialogues and operational activities as well as regional and intersubregional networking and (c) use innovative and pragmatic approaches to strengthen institutional capacity at the national level to formulate and implement sustainable transport and tourism policies and planning, taking into account economic, social and environmental considerations. Emphasis will continue to be given to addressing the specific needs of least developed, landlocked and Pacific island developing countries, as well as countries with economies in transition.

Immediate beneficiaries of the outputs Immediate beneficiaries of the subprogramme will be senior policy makers, policy advisers and other stakeholders who are in a position to initiate or influence the direction of policies, as well as public and private sector business undertakings. Activities will also be designed to assist working-level officials who are responsible for implementing programmes and projects.

Major changes from the biennium 2002-2003 The focus and emphasis of the subprogramme for the biennium will be upon integrated transport networks, transport logistics and public-private partnerships in transport development. This represents not only a step forward in the process of developing reliable, affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound transport services but also a movement away from a sectoral to an integrated network approach to transport

development and facilitation in the region.

Outputs

The subprogramme is expected to deliver the following outputs to achieve its objective:

I. Servicing of intergovernmental and expert bodies (RB)

1. Substantive servicing of the legislative meetings approved by the Commission, including the preparation of related documents: 1.1 Annual Commission sessions (2004, 2005)

- Report on the outcome of the International Ministerial Conference on Transit Transport Cooperation (2004)

- Report on the implementation of the New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific (2004)

- Report on the emerging issues related to transport and tourism (2005)

1.2 Biennial session of the Committee on Managing Globalization (2005)

- Report of the Subcommittee on Transport Infrastructure and Facilitation and Tourism (2005)

- Report on issues related to transport and tourism (2005) 1.3 Biennial session of the Subcommittee on Transport Infrastructure and Facilitation and Tourism (2004)

- Report on the implementation of the New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific (2004)

- Reports on issues related to transport and tourism (2 in 2004) 2. Organization of ad hoc expert group meetings on: 2.1 The Trans-Asian Railway in North and Central Asia (2004) 2.2 The Trans-Asian Railway in South Asia (2004) 3. Assistance to the Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, as mandated by the Tashkent Declaration on the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, 1998: 3.1 SPECA Project Working Group on Transport Infrastructure and Border-crossing Facilitation (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) 4. Depository services with respect to intergovernmental agreements:

4.1 Intergovernmental agreement on the Asian Highway network to facilitate coordinated highway development in Asia (2004)

II. Other substantive activities (RB/XB)

1. Provision of data, information and analysis through:

Recurrent publications

1.1 Review of Developments in Transport in Asia and the Pacific (biennial - 2005) (RB)

1.2 Transport and Communications Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific (annual) (RB)

1.3 Tourism Review (annual) (RB/XB)

Non-recurrent publications

1.4 Three issues of the monograph series on managing globalization: (a) integrated Asian transport network (2004) (RB/XB); (b) regional shipping and port development strategies (2004) (RB/XB); and (c) policy issues on sustainable tourism development (2005) (RB/XB) Electronic issuances

1.5 ESCAP web page on transport policy and tourism (quarterly updating, 2004-2005) (RB/XB)

1.6 ESCAP web page on transport infrastructure (quarterly updating, 2004-2005) (RB/XB)

1.7 ESCAP web page on transport facilitation (biannual updating, 2004-2005) (RB/XB)

Technical material

1.8 Refining and updating of the ESCAP database on transport and infrastructure (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

1.9 Maps of the Asian Highway and Trans-Asian Railway (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

1.10 Updating of the Asian Highway database (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

1.11 Refining and updating of the Asia-Pacific Road Accident Database (APRAD) (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

1.12 Statistical abstract of transport in the Asian and Pacific region, including transport performance indicators and comparative analysis of transport productivity in the Asian and Pacific region (2005) (RB/XB)

1.13 Review of international agreements that facilitate the transport of goods and people (2004) (RB/XB)

1.14 Training materials in support of improved capacity-building for institutes involved in transport education and research (2005) (RB/XB)

III. Technical cooperation (RB/XB) 1. Provision of advisory services at the request of the Governments on:

1.1 Transport policy, infrastructure planning and development (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

1.2 Tourism development (2005) (RB/XB) 2. Provision of group training on:

2.1 Transport infrastructure planning and development (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

2.2 Transport planning, management, education and research centres (2004) (RB/XB)

2.3 APRAD-related activities (2004) (RB/XB)

2.4 Liberalization of transport services (2004) (RB/XB)

2.5 Shipping and port development strategies (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

2.6 Strengthening national capabilities in the sound and sustainable development of tourism (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

2.7 Tourism education and training (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

2.8 Promotion of tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 3. Fellowship on:

3.1 Tourism development and training through TCDC (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 4. Provision of technical cooperation projects on:

4.1 Land transport infrastructure development, including the working groups on the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway and the Steering Committee on the Trans-Asian Railway Northern Corridor (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.2 Transit transport for landlocked and transit developing countries (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.3 Private sector participation/public-private partnerships in transport development (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.4 Transport facilitation (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.5 Freight forwarding, multimodal transport and logistics (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.6 Technical cooperation project on providing basic services to the poor through public-private partnerships: ESCAP follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (transport component) (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

Subprogramme 5. Environment and sustainable development Introduction

The subprogramme is under the responsibility of the Environment and Sustainable Development Division. Objective for the biennium, expected accomplishments, indicators of achievement and external factors

Objective: To strengthen the national capacity of ESCAP members and associate members to design and implement environmental and sustainable development policies and strategies, in particular on sustainable development of energy and water resources, that would enable them to maximize the benefits of globalization while minimizing its adverse impacts.

Expected accomplishments Indicators of achievement 1. More effective policies and 1 (a). An increase in the number of policies and programmes programmes by Governments, civil society that reflect principles promoted by ESCAP in (a), (b) and (c). and the private sector to enhance (a) environmental management, (b) water resources management and (c) energy resources management. 1 (b). Introduction of policies and programmes by counterparts in civil society and/or the private sector to reflect principles promoted by ESCAP and good practices in (a), (b) and (c).

2. Improved national capacity for 2. An increase in the number of policy decisions and decision-making and participation in position papers by national counterparts interacting with ESCAP subregional, regional and global that reflect country initiatives for transboundary cooperation and environmental and sustainable development concerns related to subregional, regional and global environmental agreements and other initiatives for and sustainable development agreements. transboundary cooperation.

External factors The subprogramme is expected to achieve its objectives on the assumption that the members and associate members will take into account activities and programmes for sustainable development; national institutions will be willing to provide relevant information; and sufficient financial resources will be made available to ESCAP, in particular for its operational activities.

Strategy

The subprogramme will be implemented through the following strategy:

Subprogramme focus

ESCAP will play an active role in the regional implementation of the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The prerequisite for success is to build and strengthen national capacities, both human and institutional, for the development and management of resources on a sustainable basis. The World Summit on Sustainable Development addressed energy, water and biodiversity in the five specific theme areas where concrete results are essential for sustainable development. There is regional consensus on the need for a paradigm shift in policy for sustainable energy development. Developing countries need assistance in the formulation and implementation of such policies. Based on the needs identified and prioritized for the region, activities will focus on three elements, namely, sustainable energy policy and planning, energy efficiency improvement and enhanced utilization of new and renewable sources of energy, as well as transboundary energy cooperation. In the area of water resources, emphasis will be placed on capacity-building in strategic planning and management to promote integrated water resources management; improved access to safe drinking water and reduction of water contamination; strengthening public-private sector partnerships to improve access to water supply and sanitation for the poor; and public awareness of water conservation. Regional cooperation will be strengthened for the mitigation of natural disasters, particularly water-related disasters, which will have a direct impact on poverty reduction in the region. Continued support to developing countries in the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements 27

will promote environmental governance for sustainable development. Specific attention will be paid to addressing environmental problems created by mismanagement of natural resources leading to land degradation and desertification as well as to the causes and impact of climate change and the post-Doha trade and environment nexus. ESCAP will continue to promote effective regional and subregional cooperation. It will continue to monitor and assess the state of the environment in the region and promote environmental governance for sustainable development.

Immediate beneficiaries of the outputs The immediate beneficiaries of the activities will be the policy makers and policy advisers of developing countries, in particular least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, Pacific island developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Major changes from the biennium 2002-2003 The programme focuses on capacity-building for the promotion of environmental protection and sustainable development of energy and water resources in line with the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Particular emphasis will be placed on improving access to basic energy and water services for the poor.

Outputs The subprogramme is expected to deliver the following outputs to achieve its objective:

I. Servicing of intergovernmental and expert bodies (RB)

1. Substantive servicing of the legislative meetings approved by the Commission, including the preparation of related documents: 1.1 Annual Commission sessions (2004, 2005) - Reports of the Committee on Managing Globalization (2004, 2005) - Reports on policies and emerging issues related to the environment and sustainable development of natural resources (2004, 2005) 1.2 Biennial session of the Committee on Managing Globalization (2005)

- Report of the Subcommittee on Environment and Sustainable Development (2005) - Report on issues related to the environment and sustainable development of natural resources (2005) 1.3 Biennial session of the Subcommittee on Environment and Sustainable Development (2004)

- Report on issues related to the environment and sustainable development (2004) - Report on the implementation of World Summit on Sustainable Development targets/decisions related to water and energy resources and environmental management for sustainable development (2004) 2. Ad hoc ministerial conference as mandated by the Commission at its fifty-eighth session, including the preparation of related publications, documents and information material and the organization of related events: 2.1 Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2005 - Flagship publication - State of the Environment in Asia and the Pacific, 2005 (every five years) (RB/XB) - Reports (3 in 2005) (RB/XB) - Exhibit for the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2005 (RB/XB) - Information kit for the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2005 (RB/XB) - Special events on sustainable development issues for the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2005 (2005) (RB/XB)

3. Organization of ad hoc expert group meetings on: 3.1 Energy services for sustainable development in rural areas (2004) 3.2 Water-efficiency planning (2004) 4. Assistance to the Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, as mandated by the Tashkent Declaration on the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, 1998: 4.1 SPECA Regional Advisory Committee (2004, 2005) 4.2 SPECA Project Working Group on Rational and Efficient Use of Energy and Water Resources (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005)

II. Other substantive activities (RB/XB) 1. Provision of data, information and analysis through: Recurrent publications 1.1 Environment and Sustainable Development Newsletter (quarterly) (RB)

1.2 Electric Power in Asia and the Pacific, 2001 and 2002 (biennial - 2004) (RB)

1.3 Energy Resources Development Series: energy services for sustainable development in rural areas (biennial - 2005) (RB) 1.4 Water Resources Journal (annual) (RB)

1.5 Water Resources Series (annual) (RB)

Non-recurrent publications

1.6 Urban environmental governance (2004) (RB)

1.7 Mitigation strategies for dust and sandstorms in North-East Asia (2005) (RB)

1.8 Perspectives for transboundary energy cooperation in North-East Asia (2005) (RB/XB)

1.9 Outcome of the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2005 (2005) (RB/XB) Electronic issuances

1.10 ESCAP web page on the environment (quarterly updating, 2004-2005) (RB/XB) 1.11 ESCAP web page on energy (quarterly updating, 2004-2005) (RB/XB) 1.12 ESCAP web page on water resources (quarterly updating, 2004-2005) (RB/XB) 2. Organization of exhibits to commemorate:

2.1 World Water Day (2004, 2005) (RB)

2.2 International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction (2004, 2005) (RB)

III. Technical cooperation (RB/XB)

1. Provision of advisory services at the request of the Governments on: 1.1 World Summit on Sustainable Development Plan of Implementation, sustainable development and management of energy and water resources, and natural disaster reduction (7 in 2004, 7 in 2005) (RB/XB)

2. Provision of group training on: 2.1 Environmental governance (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.2 Capacity-building for the implementation of international environmental conventions, particularly on desertification, climate change and biological diversity (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.3 Urban environmental management (2004) (RB/XB) 2.4 Strategic planning and management of energy resources, energy demand forecasting, energy pricing, energy efficiency and renewable energy development (6 in 2004, 4 in 2005) (RB/XB) 2.5 Water resources management and development (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.6 Water-related disaster preparedness and reduction (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

3. Fellowship on: 3.1 Exchange of information and experience and transfer of technologies in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energy development, environmental management and sustainable water management, through TCDC (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB)

4. Provision of technical cooperation projects on: 4.1 Environmental cooperation in North-East Asia (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 4.2 Provision of basic services to the poor through public-private partnerships: ESCAP follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (water, energy and biodiversity components) (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.3 Strategic planning and integrated water resources management and natural disaster reduction (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 4.4 Strategic planning and management of energy resources, energy demand forecasting, energy pricing, energy efficiency and renewable energy development (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.5 Kitakyushu Initiative for a Clean Environment (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.6 Prevention and control of dust and sandstorms in North-East Asia (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.7 Access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.8 Water-related disaster preparedness and reduction (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

Subprogramme 6. Information, communication and space technology

Introduction

The subprogramme is under the responsibility of the Information, Communication and Space Technology Division.

Objective for the biennium, expected accomplishments, indicators of achievement and external factors

Objective: To strengthen the capacity of ESCAP members and associate members, especially the developing countries and countries with economies in transition in the region, particularly the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, to create an enabling environment for the development, transfer and application of information, communication and space technology.

Expected accomplishments Indicators of achievement

1. Increased emphasis in national policies 1 (a). The number of countries in which new national policy and regulatory frameworks accorded to: (a) the and regulatory framework initiatives and developments focus application of information, communication and on increasing the application of information, communication space technology; and (b) access to information, and space technology and reflect ESCAP-promoted principles communication and space technology, including and inputs. its gender dimensions. 1 (b). The number of countries in which new national and policy and regulatory framework initiatives and developments focus on increasing access to information, communication and space technology and reflect ESCAP- promoted principles and inputs, including gender dimensions of access to information, communication and space technology services.

2. Improved application and promotion of 2. The number of institutions which report that they have information, communication and space undertaken new initiatives for, and developments in, the use technology by Governments and stakeholders in and promotion of information, communication and space planning and implementing socio-economic technology to further the achievement of internationally development policies and programmes, towards agreed development goals, including those contained in the the achievement of internationally agreed United Nations Millennium Declaration, using ESCAP development goals, including those contained in inputs. the United Nations Millennium Declaration.

External factors The subprogramme is expected to achieve its objectives on the assumption that support is provided by the relatively advanced countries of the region through sharing of knowledge, experience and human and financial resources; the members and associate members will be willing to implement recommendations of the World Summits on the Information Society and decisions made by relevant intergovernmental bodies, particularly those of ESCAP; and sufficient financial resources will be made available to ESCAP, in particular for its operational activities.

Strategy

The subprogramme will be implemented through the following strategy: Subprogramme focus

Information, communication and space technologies are viewed as tools for achieving internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, in particular as they relate to reducing poverty and managing globalization. In the developing and least developed countries in the region, there is generally limited access to, and application of, information, communication and space technologies. The subprogramme will focus on policies and applications that address these constraints, in cooperation with other ESCAP subprogrammes, in order to assist the region in achieving internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration. 31

The subprogramme will capitalize on the knowledge and experience of the members and associate members of the region that are among the most advanced in information, communication and space technologies by promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation programmes and regional consultative mechanisms to facilitate equitable sharing of these technologies with the less developed countries. The subprogramme will facilitate regional cooperation in the context of preparations for and follow-up to the World Summits on the Information Society.

Immediate beneficiaries of the outputs The subprogramme aims to benefit government officials, experts in civil society and the public sector and individuals whose work is related to policy-making and/or the application of information, communication and space technology, in particular those in the least developed, landlocked and island developing countries as well as the countries with economies in transition. National and regional institutions and other stakeholders that work towards the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, and towards increasing access to information, communication and space technology applications will be the immediate target group for the activities of the subprogramme related to applications, promotion and participatory policy development.

Major changes from the biennium 2002-2003 The subprogramme was established in the second half of the biennium 2002-2003, based on the need to consolidate and strengthen activities to promote information, communication and space technology as well as to take advantage of opportunities presented by the convergence of these technologies. The biennium 2002-2003 therefore served as a transitional period during which the subprogramme’s activities focused on the consolidation of its programmed activities and the establishment of priorities for future work. For the biennium 2004-2005, the subprogramme will build on these experiences while increasing its focus on promoting policies for increasing access to, and application of, information, communication and space technology; it will also continue to focus on the opportunities and challenges posed by the convergence of these technologies.

Outputs

The subprogramme is expected to deliver the following outputs to achieve its objective:

I. Servicing of intergovernmental and expert bodies (RB)

1. Substantive servicing of the legislative meetings approved by the Commission, including the preparation of related documents: 1.1 Annual Commission sessions (2004, 2005) - Report on the follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society, 2003 (2004) - Report on issues related to information, communication and space technology and preparations for the World Summit on the Information Society, 2005 (2005) 1.2 Biennial session of the Committee on Managing Globalization (2005) - Report of the Subcommittee on Information, Communications and Space Technology (2005) - Report on preparations for the Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2006 (2005) - Report on the follow-up to, and preparations for, the World Summits on the Information Society, 2003 and 2005 (2005) 1.3 Biennial session of the Subcommittee on Information, Communications and Space Technology (2004) - Reports on issues related to information, communication and space technology (2 in 2004) - Report on the follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society, 2003 (2004)

2. Organization of ad hoc expert group meetings on: 2.1 Follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society, 2003 (2004) 2.2 Development and sharing of open source software (2004) 2.3 Preparations for the Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, 2006 (2005)

3. Assistance to intergovernmental bodies under their established mandates: 3.1 Intergovernmental Consultative Committee on the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (2004, 2005) II. Other substantive activities (RB/XB) 1. Provision of data, information and analysis through: Recurrent publication 1.1 Asian-Pacific Journal on Information, Communication and Space Technology (biannual) (RB/XB) Non-recurrent publications

1.2 Two issues of a monograph series on managing globalization: (a) regional information and communication technology complementarities for the promotion of sustainable development (2004) (RB/XB); and (b) promoting key information and communication technology partnerships to bridge the digital divide for sustainable development (2005) (RB/XB) Electronic issuance

1.3 ESCAP web page on information, communication and space technology (continuous updating, 2004-2005) (RB/XB) Technical material

1.4 Good practices in information and communication technology policies in Asia and the Pacific (2004) (RB/XB) 1.5 Regional inventory of space technology application capabilities, facilities and initiatives in Asia and the Pacific (2005) (RB/XB) 1.6 Compliance with information and communication technology-related multilateral frameworks (2005) (RB/XB) 1.7 Regional database of regulations, policies and legal frameworks related to information, communication and space technology (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 1.8 Databases on population and social indicators and issues (information and communication technology component) (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2. Organization of inter-agency meetings:

2.1 Inter-agency Working Group on Information and Communication Technology (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB) III. Technical cooperation (RB/XB)

1. Provision of advisory services at the request of the Governments on: 1.1 Integration of information and communication technology policies into the overall development framework (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 1.2 Development, management and diffusion of information and communication technology applications (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB) 1.3 Space technology applications for sustainable development (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB)

2. Provision of group training on: 2.1 Exploring regional information and communication technology complementarities and cooperation on regional trade in goods and services related to information and communication technology (2004) (RB/XB) 2.2 Promotion of partnerships among information and communication technology stakeholders for sustainable development (2005) (RB/XB) 2.3 Good practices in information and communication technology policies and strategies for sustainable development (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2.4 Information and communication technology policy compliance with multilateral agreements (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB)

2.5 Information, communication and space technology applications for sustainable development (6 in 2004, 6 in 2005) (RB/XB) 2.6 National, regional and international information, communication and space technology policies and regulatory frameworks and related multilateral agreements (2004) (RB/XB) 2.7 Regional working groups on major space applications sectors (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB)

3. Fellowships on:

3.1 Space technology applications (10 long-term fellowships each year in 2004 and 2005 and 10 medium-term fellowships in each of the years 2004 and 2005) (RB/XB)

4. Provision of technical cooperation projects on:

4.1 Space technology applications for informed natural disaster management (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

4.2 Information, communication and space technology applications to bridge the digital divide for poverty reduction (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 4.3 Support to the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology in technical cooperation activities (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

Subprogramme 7. Social development, including emerging social issues

Introduction

The subprogramme is under the responsibility of the Emerging Social Issues Division.

Objective for the biennium, expected accomplishments, indicators of achievement and external factors

Objective: To strengthen the capacity of ESCAP members and associate members in the development and implementation of policies and programmes to address persistent and emerging social issues in their evolving manifestations in order to enhance the productivity and quality of human resources.

Expected accomplishments Indicators of achievement

1. Increased priority accorded to emerging 1 (a). National policies and plans give greater attention to each social issues, which will be mainstreamed into of the following categories of issues: (a) gender; (b) health policies and programmes of Governments and promotion, especially to address HIV/AIDS issues; and (c) civil society. population, disability and ageing, as evidenced by increased coverage of those issues and increased proportional budget allocations.

1 (b). An increase in the number of either (a) policy directives that mainstream emerging social issues or (b) focal points in relevant ministries and/or civil society entities for each of the categories of issues listed under indicator 1 (a) above.

2. More effective planning of programmes 2. An increase in the coverage of the needs of the intended by Governments and civil society organizations beneficiaries in the design of programmes by national counterpart for achieving: (a) gender equality; (b) health organizations interacting with ESCAP for each of the categories promotion, especially to address HIV/AIDS of issues listed under expected accomplishment 2. issues; and (c) integration of persons with disabilities and older persons into society.

External factors The subprogramme is expected to achieve its objectives on the assumption that the members and associate members are willing to adopt policies and programmes that are in line with the relevant global and regional mandates; and sufficient financial resources are made available to ESCAP, in particular for its operational activities.

Strategy The subprogramme will be implemented through the following strategy:

Subprogramme focus The subprogramme will focus on regional support to members and associate members in achieving the Millennium Development Goals related to gender equality and empowerment of women and combating HIV/AIDS. In addition, the Millennium Development Goals on extreme poverty eradication will be addressed through tackling key emerging social issues, as well as population and development issues, that have an impact on vulnerable groups in society, especially youth, persons with disabilities and older persons. This will be accomplished through a range of advocacy and capacity development activities that promote the mainstreaming of those issues into government policies and programmes. Partnerships with civil society in tackling emerging social issues will be emphasized as a means of mobilizing greater stakeholder participation in the planning of programmes on the Millennium Development Goals mentioned above.

Immediate beneficiaries of the outputs The immediate beneficiaries of the subprogramme will be government policy makers, planners and programme managers, primarily in the social sectors, with particular emphasis on the focal points in relevant entities concerning the issues of (a) population, integration of persons with disabilities and older persons in society, (b) health promotion, especially to address HIV/AIDS-related issues, and (c) gender equality.

Major changes from the biennium 2002-2003 The subprogramme will incorporate activities related to population issues which in 2002 had been included in the subprogramme on population and rural and urban development, highlight the link between health and economic and social development, particularly focusing on HIV/AIDS, and adopt a gender equality programme perspective that emphasizes “mainstreaming of gender concerns” to replace the “women-in-development” approach of the biennium 2002-2003.

Outputs

The subprogramme is expected to deliver the following outputs to achieve its objective:

I. Servicing of intergovernmental and expert bodies (RB)

1. Substantive servicing of the legislative meetings approved by the Commission, including the preparation of related documents and the organization of related events: 1.1 Annual Commission sessions (2004, 2005) - Reports of the Committee on Emerging Social Issues (2004, 2005) - Reports on issues related to emerging social issues (2004, 2005) - Report on the Asia-Pacific Leadership Summit on a Commitment to Fight the Spread of HIV/AIDS (2005) - Report on the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review the Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and Its Regional and Global Outcomes (2005)

1.2 Biennial session of the Committee on Emerging Social Issues (2005) - Report of the Subcommittee on Socially Vulnerable Groups (2005) - Report of the Subcommittee on Health and Development (2005) - Reports on issues related to emerging social issues (3 in 2005)

1.3 Biennial session of the Subcommittee on Socially Vulnerable Groups (2004) - Report on regional follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing (2004) - Report on regional implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (2004)

1.4 Biennial session of the Subcommittee on Health and Development (2004) - Report on a strategy for the promotion of health and development in the Asian and Pacific region (2004) - Exhibit on health and development issues (2004) 2. Ad hoc intergovernmental meetings as mandated by the Commission at its fifty-eighth session, including the preparation of related documents and the organization of related events: 2.1 Asia-Pacific Leadership Summit on a Commitment to Fight the Spread of HIV/AIDS (2004) - Reports (2 in 2004) - Exhibit to promote a leadership commitment to fight HIV/AIDS in the Asian and Pacific region (2004) (RB/XB) 2.2 High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review the Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and Its Regional and Global Outcomes - Ad hoc expert group on preparations for the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review the Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and Its Regional and Global Outcomes (2004) - Reports (3 in 2004) 3. Organization of ad hoc expert group meetings on: 36

3.1 Regional follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing (2004) 3.2 Implementation of the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference Plan of Action on Population and Poverty (2005) 3.3 Development of a regional strategy for the promotion of health and development issues in government and civil society policies and programmes (2004) 3.4 Promotion and implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, with particular emphasis on violence against women and trafficking of women (2005)

II. Other substantive activities (RB/XB)

1. Provision of data, information and analyses through:

Recurrent publications

1.1 Asia-Pacific Population Journal (quarterly) (RB)

1.2 Population Headliners (bimonthly) (RB/XB)

Non-recurrent publications

1.3 Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference follow-up study on population and health (2004) (RB/XB) 1.4 Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference follow-up study on population, sustainable development and poverty (2005) (RB/XB) 1.5 Handbook on rights-based development for persons with disabilities (2005) (RB/XB)

1.6 Good practices and emerging issues in meeting the challenge of ageing (2004) (RB/XB)

1.7 Survey on ageing in Asia and the Pacific 2005 (2005) (RB/XB)

1.8 Key issues in strengthening the social integration of disadvantaged groups in Asia and the Pacific (2005) (RB/XB) 1.9 Assessment of progress in the regional implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and its regional and global outcomes (2004) (RB) 1.10 Two issues of the monograph series on emerging social issues: (a) violence against women and trafficking of women and girls in Asia and the Pacific (2004) (RB/XB); and (b) gender and HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (2005) (RB/XB) 1.11 Women and men in Asia and the Pacific (volume II, qualitative indicators) (2004) (RB)

1.12 Community-level good practices in HIV prevention, care and support for policy consideration (2005) (RB/XB) 1.13 Regional report on post-Yokohama progress in combating commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth (2005) (RB/XB)

Electronic issuances

1.14 ESCAP web page on population and social integration (quarterly updating, 2004-2005) (RB/XB)

1.15 ESCAP web page on health and development (quarterly updating, 2004-2005) (RB/XB)

1.16 ESCAP web page on gender and development (quarterly updating, 2004-2005) (RB/XB)

Booklets, pamphlets, fact sheets and information kits

1.17 ESCAP population data sheets (2004, 2005) (RB)

1.18 Information material on emerging and critical social issues (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

1.19 Advocacy material on promoting investment in health in the Asian and Pacific region (2005) (RB/XB) 1.20 Information kit on mobilizing responses to fight HIV/AIDS in the Asian and Pacific region (2005) (RB/XB) 1.21 Information kit on post-Yokohama monitoring: tools and outcomes (2005) (RB/XB)

1.22 Information material on gender and development in Asia and the Pacific (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

Technical material

1.23 Training material on health and development for human security, especially for HIV/AIDS-related Millennium Development Goal target fulfilment (2005) (RB/XB) 1.24 Updating of a database on various gender mainstreaming issues (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

1.25 Databases on population and social indicators and issues (population component) (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

2. Organization of an exhibit on:

2.1 Information and communication technologies for persons with disabilities (2005) (RB/XB)

3. Organization of special events to commemorate:

3.1 International Youth Day (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

3.2 International Women’s Day (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

4. Organization of inter-agency meetings:

4.1 Regional Coordination Meeting Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns (2 in 2004, 2 in 2005) (RB/XB) 4.2 ESCAP Youth Advisory Group on HIV/AIDS (2004, 2005) (RB/XB)

4.3 Regional Coordination Meeting Thematic Working Group on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (2004, 2005) (RB)

III. Technical cooperation (RB/XB)

1. Provision of advisory services at the request of the Governments on: 1.1 Regional follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 1.2 Strengthening country-level responses to achieving health-related Millennium Development Goal targets (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 1.3 Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and its regional and global outcomes in the Asian and Pacific region (2004, 2005) (RB/XB) 2. Provision of group training on: 2.1 Ageing, social protection and social integration (2005) (RB/XB) 2.2 Critical and emerging issues in promoting gender equality (2 in 2004) (RB/XB) 2.3 Regional review meeting on the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Macao Plan of Action on Ageing for Asia and the Pacific (2004) (RB/XB) 3. Provision of technical cooperation projects on:

3.1 Regional implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (2004- 2005) (RB/XB) 3.2 Population and development (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.3 Follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing and the Macao Plan of Action on Ageing for Asia and the Pacific (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.4 Strengthening multisectoral responses towards the achievement of health-related Millennium Development Goal targets, especially concerning HIV/AIDS (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.5 Provision of basic services to the poor through public-private partnerships: ESCAP follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (health services component) (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.6 Monitoring actions to combat commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.7 Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and its regional and global outcomes in the Asian and Pacific region (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.8 Forging new partnerships to end violence against women (capacity-building and networking component) (2004-2005) (RB/XB) 3.9 Incorporating gender dimensions in the implementation of the outcomes of major regional and global conferences (2004-2005) (RB/XB)

39 Annex II

MEETINGS OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES AND AD HOC MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE

Document Subsidiary body/ministerial conference and officers Session symbol of

report

Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Fourth session E/ESCAP/1274 Development Bangkok 13-15 November Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Oleg Skvortsov (Russian Federation) 2002 Vice-Chairpersons: Mr. Ju Chengzhi (China) Mr. Napolioni Masirewa (Fiji) Mr. M. Susiriwardana (Sri Lanka) H.R.H. Prince Sisowath Chivannariddh (Cambodia) Mr. Vongchai Jarernswan (Thailand) Rapporteur: Mr. George D. Esguerra (Philippines)

Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Development Fourth session E/ESCAP/1275 Bangkok Chairperson: Mr. Huang Yong’an (China) 19-21 November Vice-Chairperson: 2002 Mr. Ryuji Matsunaga (Japan) Rapporteur: Ms. Farzaneh Mesghali (Islamic Republic of Iran)

Committee on Statistics Thirteenth session E/ESCAP/1269 Bangkok Chairperson: Mr. Dennis Trewin (Australia) 27-29 November Vice-Chairpersons: 2002 Mr. Subra Mani (Fiji) Ms. Soedarti Surbakti (Indonesia) Ms. Dandariin Oyunchimeg (Mongolia) Mr. S. Madurapperuma (Sri Lanka) Vice-Chairperson and Rapporteur: Mr. Frederick W.H. Ho (Hong Kong, China)

Steering Group of the Committee on Regional Economic Cooperation Fourteenth meeting E/ESCAP/1276 Bangkok Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Vinay Bansal (India) 2-4 December Vice-Chairpersons: 2002 Mr. Bhoj Raj Ghimire (Nepal) Mr. Chana Kanaratanadilok (Thailand)

40 Document Subsidiary body/ministerial conference and officers Session symbol of

report

High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Otsu City, Shiga, E/ESCAP1281 Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002 Japan 25-28 October Chairperson: Mr. Issei Anan (Japan) 2002 Vice-Chairpersons: Mr. Abdullah Wardak (Afghanistan) Mr. Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed (Bangladesh) , Ms. Prak Chantha (Cambodia) Mr. Guo Jianmo (China) Mr. Vaevaetaearoi Vaevae-Pare (Cook Islands) Ms. Adi Asenaca Caucau Filipe (Fiji) Dato’ Hajah Siti Zaharah binti Sulaiman (Malaysia) Mr. Jadambaa Rardan (Mongolia) Rapporteur: Mr. Stephen Pang (Hong Kong, China)

Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference Bangkok E/ESCAP/1271 11-17 December Chairperson: H.E. Dato’ Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (Malaysia) 2002 Vice-Chairpersons: H.E. Mr. Ashot Yesayan (Armenia) H.E. Mr. Ilgar Rahimov (Azerbaijan) H.E. Mr. Zhang Weiqing (China) H.E. Mr. Wang Guoqiang (China) H.E. Ms. Ro Teimumu Kepa (Fiji) H.E. Mr. George Tsereteli (Georgia) H.E. Mr. Shri A. Raja (India) H.E. Mr. Jusuf Kalla (Indonesia) H.E. Dr. Mohammad Esmail Akbari (Islamic Republic of Iran) H.E. Mr. Yoshio Kimura (Japan) H.E. Ms. Bounphang Mounphouxay (Lao People’s Democratic Republic) H.E. Dr. Bounkouan Phichit (Lao People’s Democratic Republic) H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki (Maldives) H.E. Mr. Shiileg Batbayar (Mongolia) H.E. Mr. Ravdan Jadambaa (Mongolia) H.E. U Maung Aung (Myanmar) H.E. Mr. Gopal Dahit (Nepal) H.E. Mr. Manuel Dayrit (Philippines) H.E. Ms. Maria Lourdes V. Ramiro Lopez (Philippines) H.E. Mr. Kang Yoon-Koo (Republic of Korea) H.E. Mr. Vladimir Sokolin (Russian Federation) H.E. Mr. Sajith Premadasa (Sri Lanka) H.E. Ms. Sudarat Keyuraphan (Thailand) H.E. Ms. Sally Keeble (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) H.E. Mr. A.E. (Gene) Dewey (United States of America) H.E. Ms. Le Thi Thu (Viet Nam) Rapporteur- General: Dr. Siswanto Agus Wilopo (Indonesia)

41 Annex III

DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION DURING THE FIRST PHASE (LISTED BY AGENDA ITEM)

Agenda item Title Symbol

3 Provisional agenda E/ESCAP/L.151/Rev.1

Annotated provisional agenda E/ESCAP/L.152/Rev.2

4 Proposed amendment to the terms of reference E/ESCAP/1265 of the Commission: admission of Timor-Leste as a member of the Commission

5 Report on the realignment and implementation E/ESCAP/1285 of the programme of work, 2002-2003 and Corr.1 and 2 and Add.1

Proposed programme changes for 2003 E/ESCAP/1296 and Corr.1 and 2

Draft programme of work, 2004-2005 E/ESCAP/1284 and Corr.1 and 2

Report on the evaluation of ESCAP E/ESCAP/1286 publications

6 Resource mobilization: technical cooperation E/ESCAP/1289 activities of ESCAP and announcement of and Corr.1 intended contributions

7 Transit transport issues in landlocked and E/ESCAP/1282 and Corr.1* transit developing countries

8 Election of the governing boards of regional institutions: Conference Bulletins (a) CGPRT Centre No. 2/Rev.1 (b) APCAEM No. 3/Rev.1

9 Date, venue and theme topic for the sixtieth E/ESCAP/1295 session of the Commission

* Subsequently superseded by document E/ESCAP/1282/Rev.2.

42 Annex IV

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS, MEETINGS AND ADVISORY SERVICES IN 2002

A. List of publications ∗ Sector (ST/ESCAP/2223) Greater Mekong Subregion Business Handbook Poverty and development (ST/ESCAP/2183) Promotion of Intraregional Trade and Economic Asia-Pacific Development Journal, vol. 9, No. 1, June Cooperation in the Automotive Sector 2002 (ST/ESCAP/2205) (E.02.II.F.62); No. 2, (ST/ESCAP/2212) December 2002 (ST/ESCAP/2231) (E.02.II.F.72) Bulletin on Asia-Pacific Perspectives 2002/03: Asia- Studies in Trade and Investment: 49. Facilitating the Pacific Economies: Sustaining Growth amidst Accession of ESCAP Developing Countries to WTO Uncertainties (ST/ESCAP/2219) (E.02.II.F.69) through Regional Cooperation (ST/ESCAP/2215) Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific TISNET Trade and Investment Information Bulletin, 2002: Economic Prospects: Preparing for Recovery Nos. 49-60 (ST/ESCAP/2144) (E.02.II.F.25) Trade Facilitation Handbook for the Greater Mekong Protecting Marginalized Groups during Economic Subregion (ST/ESCAP/2224) Downturns: Lessons from the Asian Experience (ST/ESCAP/2221) (E.03.II.F.2) Rejuvenating Bank Finance for Development in Asia Transport and tourism and the Pacific (ST/ESCAP/2206) (E.02.II.F.57) Policy Guidelines for Road Transport Pricing: A Rural Poverty Alleviation through Integrated Pest Practical Step-by-Step Approach (ST/ESCAP/2216) Management (IPM) and Green Farming (ST/ESCAP/2112) (E.02.II.F.5) Report of the Regional Seminar on Liberalization of Maritime Transport Services under WTO GATS (ST/ESCAP/2217) Statistics

Asia-Pacific in Figures 2002 (ST/ESCAP/2228) Environment and sustainable development (E.03.II.F.8) Statistical Indicators for Asia and the Pacific, vol. Development and Testing of Indicators for Sustainable XXXII, No. 1, March 2002 (ST/ESCAP/2203) Development in Asia and the Pacific (E.02.II.F.54); No. 2, June 2002 (ST/ESCAP/2214) (ST/ESCAP/2111) (E.02.II.F.65); No. 3, September 2002 (ST/ESCAP/2220) (E.02.II.F.71); No. 4, December 2002 Environment and Natural Resources News, vol. 2, No. (ST/ESCAP/2238) (E.02.II.F.73) 1, March 2002; No. 2, June 2002; No. 3, September 2002 Statistical Newsletter, Nos. 124-127 Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific 2001 Environmental Governance for Sustainable (ST/ESCAP/2200) (E/F.02.II.F.1) Development in Asia and the Pacific (ST/ESCAP/2218) (E.02.II.F.68) Guidebook on Promotion of Sustainable Energy Trade and investment Consumption: Consumer Organizations and Efficient Energy Use in the Residential Sector Development of the Automotive Sector in Selected (ST/ESCAP/2207) Countries of the ESCAP Region: Proceedings and Country Papers Presented at the Regional Guidelines on Strategic Planning and Management of Consultative Meeting on Promotion of Intraregional the Energy Sector (ST/ESCAP/2211) Trade and Economic Cooperation in the Automotive Phnom Penh Regional Platform on Sustainable Development for Asia and the Pacific ∗ Where applicable, United Nations publication sales (ST/ESCAP/2198) (E.02.II.F.48) numbers are shown in parentheses and start with the letter “E”.

43 Water Resources Journal, June 2002 Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics (ST/ESCAP/SER.C/212) of Asia and the Pacific, twentieth session, Bogor, Information, communication and Indonesia, January; Technical Advisory Committee, space technology nineteenth session, January ESCAP/Thai Rural Net Conference on Information and Asian-Pacific Remote Sensing and GIS Journal, vol. 14 Communication Technologies, Youth and Rural (ST/ESCAP/2201) Development, Bangkok, January

Towards a Policy Framework for Integrating Space Conference on Microfinance Policy and Governance, Technology Applications on the Information Bangkok, March Superhighway (ST/ESCAP/2226) Regional Seminar on Public/Private Sector Partnerships

for Urban Infrastructure and Service Delivery, Seoul,

April Social development, including emerging social issues National Training Workshop on the Concept and Characteristics of Good Governance, Pokhara, Nepal, Asia-Pacific Population Journal, vol. 17, No. 1 June (ST/ESCAP/2204); No.2 (ST/ESCAP/2213); No. 3 (ST/ESCAP/2222); No. 4 (ST/ESCAP/2234) Workshop-cum-Field Training on Green Food and Sustainable Agriculture, Xi’an, China, June Empowering the Rural Poor through HRD: Six Innovative Approaches Submitted for the 2001 Virtual Policy Studio on Integrating Environmental ESCAP HRD Award (ST/ESCAP/2242) Considerations into Economic Policy-making (E.02.II.F.70) Processes, online workshop, , June-July Fact Sheet, No. 1, Demographic Trends in Ageing in Asia and the Pacific; No. 2, Selected International Subregional Workshop on Integrating Environmental and Regional Mandates on Ageing; No. 3, Madrid Considerations into Economic Policy-making Declaration and International Plan of Action on Processes, Seoul, July Ageing; No. 4, UNESCAP and the Promotion of Fourth Asian Mayors Forum and Regional Workshop on Ageing Awareness; No. 5, UNESCAP Regional Good Urban Governance for Poverty Reduction and Survey on Ageing (June 2002) Social Development: Exchange of Tools, Techniques

and Good Practices, Bangkok, July Social Action Update, vol. 2, Nos. 1-3 Training Workshop on the Concept and Characteristics of Social Policy Papers, No. 9, National Policies and Good Governance, Lahore, Pakistan, August Programmes on Ageing in Asia and the Pacific: An Overview and Lessons Learned (ST/ESCAP/2232) Workshop on Poverty Alleviation through Rural-Urban (E.03.II.F.12); No. 10, Ageing in Asia and the Linkages: The Role of Small and Medium-sized Pacific: Emerging Issues and Successful Practices Towns, Siem Reap, Cambodia, September (ST/ESCAP/2235) (E.03.II.F.13); No. 11, Access to Social Services by the Poor and Disadvantaged in Meeting of Eminent Persons on Current and Prospective Asia and the Pacific: Major Trends and Issues Economic and Social Performance in the ESCAP (ST/ESCAP/2240) (E.03.II.F.20) Region, Bangkok, October

Studies on Gender and Development, No. 4, Social Round-table Discussion on the Asian Banking Sector, Safety Nets for Women (ST/ESCAP/2239) Bangkok, October

Sustainable Social Development in a Period of Rapid National Workshops on Practical Applications of the Globalization: Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Manual for Evaluating the Impact of Targeted Options (ST/ESCAP/2202) (E.02.II.F.53) Poverty Alleviation Programmes: Manila, and Comilla, Bangladesh, November

B. List of meetings Regional Workshop on Urban Tourism and Poverty Reduction, Colombo, November

Poverty and development Round Table on Social Protection in the Asia-Pacific Region in the Context of Economic Crisis and Governing Board of the Regional Coordination Centre Globalization, Bangkok, December for Research and Development of Coarse Grains,

44 Expert Group Meeting on Development Issues and Policies, Bangkok, December Regional Seminar on Facilitating the Accession of ESCAP Developing Countries to WTO, Bangkok, Advanced Training Course on Moderation/Facilitation February Skills, Kathmandu, December Training Workshop on the Incorporation of Informal Third WTO/ESCAP Trade Policy Course on WTO and Sector Waste Pickers and Community-based the Multilateral Trading System for Developing Decentralized Composting in the Formal Solid Waste Economies, Bangkok, March Management System, Lahore, Pakistan, December High-level Subregional Seminar on Investment Promotion and Realization for Indo-China, Hanoi, March Statistics Workshop on Quality Function Deployment under the Expert Group Meeting to Review Research Findings Greater Mekong Subregion Business Forum, relating to the International Comparison Programme, Bangkok, March Bangkok, February-March Capacity-building Study Tour for the Union of ESCAP/ADB Inception Workshop on Enhancing Social Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and and Gender Statistics, Bangkok, May Industry, Penang and Kuala Lumpur, March

ESCAP/UNIFEM Preparatory Meeting to Discuss the Meeting to Review Technical Assistance Activities in Project on a Gender Approach to the Collection and the Greater Mekong Subregion, Bangkok, March Use of Statistics for the Informal Sector, Homework and Time Allocation, Bangkok, June Seminar on the Impact of China’s Accession to the Bangkok Agreement on Intraregional Trade Flows, ESCAP/OECD/ADB Workshop on Quarterly National Beijing, April Accounts, Bangkok, June

ESCAP/UNIFEM Synthesization Meeting on a Gender WTO/ESCAP Regional Seminars on Dispute Approach to the Collection and Use of Statistics for Settlement Procedures and Practices and Dispute the Informal Sector, Homework and Time Allocation, Settlement Understanding Negotiations for Asian Bangkok, September Economies: first seminar, Manila, April; second seminar, Bangkok, June Regional Resource Group on Integrating Paid and Unpaid Work, sixth meeting, Bangkok, September WTO/ESCAP/ASEAN Regional Seminar on WTO Agriculture, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and ESCAP/ADB/World Bank/Thailand Regional Seminar Textiles and Clothing Agreements, Bangkok, April for Asian Managers on Monitoring and Evaluation of

Poverty Reduction Programmes, Bangkok, October Standing Committee of the Bangkok Agreement, ESCAP/ECO/United Nations Statistics Division/State eighteenth session, Beijing, April Institute of Statistics, Turkey, Subregional Workshop on Implementation of the 1993 SNA, Ankara, Business Management Training Course and Teaching October Workshop on Case Study Methods under the Greater Mekong Subregion Business Forum, Vientiane, May

Trade and investment National Workshops on Human Resources Development and Capacity-building on Trade Pacific Regional Workshop on Information Technology Facilitation: Hanoi, May; Phnom Penh and Vientiane, for Creating Trade and Investment, Nadi, Fiji, June January Subregional Workshop on Human Resources ESCAP/Ministry of Commerce Training Workshop on Development and Capacity-building on Trade WTO Agreements and Trade and Investment Facilitation, Kunming, China, June Opportunities for Myanmar, Yangon, January- February Asian Wise Persons’ Forum, Singapore, August

Governing Body of RNAEM, twenty-first session, and Second International Symposium and Exhibition on Technical Advisory Committee, twenty-second Marine and Aquatic Product Processing Technology, session, Haikou City, Hainan Province, China, Rongcheng, China, September February

45 National Workshops on Promoting Business and Third Meeting of Chiefs of Divisions Responsible for Technology Incubation for Improved Transport in the Five United Nations Regional Competitiveness of Small and Medium Industries Commissions, Bangkok, March through Application of Modern and Efficient Technologies: Ulaanbaatar, September; Kathmandu ESCAP/IMO Regional Course on the Implementation and Hanoi, October; Phnom Penh, November; and of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Vientiane, December Code, Bangkok, April

National Workshops on Trade and Investment Working Group on the Greater Mekong Subregion Promotion through Effective Use of Information Tourism Sector, thirteenth meeting, Yangon, April Technology: Apia and Port Vila, September WTO/ESCAP/ASEAN Regional Seminar on Curriculum Development Workshop II - Mobilizing a Facilitating Trade through Implementation of the Response to HIV/AIDS in the Maritime Industry, WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement, Ho Chi Bangkok, April-May Minh City, Viet Nam, October Expert Group Meeting on Development of the Asian Highway Network, Bangkok, May National Workshops on Human Resources Development for E-commerce in the Greater Mekong Executive Committee of the Network of Asia-Pacific Subregion: Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Education and Training Institutes in Tourism Penh, Yangon and Kunming, October; and Vientiane, (APETIT), seventh meeting, Hong Kong, China, May November UNDP/ESCAP Workshop on Transport and Transit: Fourth International Symposium and Exposition on “Silk Road: a Way for Integration”, Astana, June Fruit/Vegetable Processing Technology and Industrialization (F/V EXPO’2002), Yantai, China, Steering Committee of the Global Road Safety October Partnership, second meeting, Bangkok, June

Management Training Course under the Greater National Seminar on the Sustainable Development of Mekong Subregion Business Forum, Hanoi, October- Ecotourism, Bagan, Myanmar, June November ESCAP/Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Seminar Regional Consultative Meeting on Initiatives for E- on a Comprehensive and Integrated Approach to commerce Capacity-building of Small and Medium Transport Policy Development in the Rattanakosin Enterprises, Seoul, November Area of Bangkok, Bangkok, June

Fourth WTO/ESCAP Trade Policy Course on WTO Steering Committee on the Planning and Agreements and the Doha Development Agenda, Implementation of Container Block Trains along the Bangkok, November Trans-Asian Railway Northern Corridor, Vladivostok, Russian Federation, June Governing Board of APCAEM, first session, Beijing, November Regional Seminar on Commercial Development of Ports as Logistics Centres, Bangkok, July Joint ESCAP/UNCTAD Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on E-commerce Strategies for Country-level Workshops on Aids to Navigation: Development, Bangkok, November Kunming, China, Bangkok and Vientiane, August, and Phnom Penh, December Third Annual Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion Business Forum, Kunming, China, APETIT Seminar on Enhancing Customer Services in December the Tourism Industry, Vientiane, August

Training of Trainers Workshop on Mobilizing a

Response to HIV/AIDS in the Maritime Industry, Transport and tourism Bangkok, August

Second Expert Group Meeting on Harmonization of Aids Expert Group Meeting on Mobilizing a Response to to Navigation Systems on the Greater Mekong River, HIV/AIDS in the Maritime Industry, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, January August

Regional Seminar on Liberalization of Maritime National Seminar on Sustainable Tourism Resource Transport Services under WTO GATS, Bangkok, Management, Hanoi, September February

46 Subregional Seminar on International Transit Transport Management Systems: Sharing Lessons from under the TIR System, Kunming, China, September Experiences in Asia and Africa, Bangkok, March and July Subregional Policy-level Workshop on the Development of an Integrated Shipping and Port WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones, twenty- System in North-East Asia, Tianjin, China, October ninth session, Yangon, March

ESCAP/ASEAN Federation of Freight Forwarders Expert Group Meeting on Capacity-building for Air Associations Subregional Workshop on Training of Pollutant Emission Monitoring in North-East Asia, Trainers in Freight Forwarding, Multimodal Yokohama, Japan, March Transport and Logistics Management, Bangkok, October Round Table on Arsenic and Water Quality, Bangkok, March Seminar-cum-Study Tour on Safe Navigation and Intermodal Transport along International Rivers, Expert Group Meeting on Capacity-building and Data Netherlands, October Intercomparability for Ambient Air Quality Policy-level Expert Group Meeting on Identification of Monitoring in North-East Asia, Incheon, Republic of Priority Road Network and Investment Needs in Korea, April North-East Asia for Development of the Tumen River Asia-Pacific Workshop on the Clean Development Area, Ulaanbaatar, October Mechanism and National Strategy Studies on Climate Change, Bangkok, April Working Group Meeting to Draft an Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network, Asia-Pacific Workshop on the Prototype Carbon Fund, Bangkok, November Bangkok, April-May

Workshop on a Comprehensive and Integrated Approach to Planning and Policy Development for National Stakeholders Consultation Meetings to Sustainable Transport, Manila, November Formulate a Project on Prevention and Control of Dust and Sandstorms in North-East Asia: first Subregional Seminar on Commercial Navigation on the meeting, Beijing, May; second meeting, Ulaanbaatar, Greater Mekong River, Chiang Rai, Thailand, June December Ministerial Round-table Dialogue on Water Sector Challenges, Policies and Institutional Development in Environment and sustainable development Asia, Bangkok, May

Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development: Seminar on Consumer Participation in Sustainable Bangkok, January; Jakarta, May Energy, Jakarta, May

Training Course for Energy Managers from Industry, First International Conference on Public Participation of Dhaka, January and March the Asia-Europe Meeting, Bangkok, June

National Seminar on Energy Efficiency and Sustainable SPECA Workshop on a Regulatory Framework for Development, Kathmandu, February Energy and Water Conservation, Bishkek, June

Project Working Group on Rational and Efficient Use Eighth Meeting of Senior Officials on Environmental of Energy and Water Resources in Central Asia, Cooperation in North-East Asia; Preparatory Meeting eighth session, Bishkek, February of Experts; and Mid-term Review for Regional Technical Assistance on Transboundary Environmental Workshop on Sustainable Energy Policies and Cooperation, Ulaanbaatar, June Strategies in Pacific Island Developing Countries, Suva, February International Practical Training Course for Energy Managers from Countries in Western and Central ESCAP/WMO Workshop on Monitoring/Modelling Asia, Ankara, June Activities under the Project on the ASEAN Regional

Haze Action Plan, Jakarta, February ESCAP/UNDP National Workshop on a Policy,

Strategy and Regulatory Framework in the ESCAP/International Water Management Development of Mineral Resources in East Timor, Institute/FAO/ Colombo Plan Secretariat Joint Dili, June Seminars on Smallholder Land and Water

47 ESCAP/ADB Training Workshop on Renewable Protocol, Bangkok, December Energy, Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Abatement, Bangkok, July Training for Energy Managers/Senior Executives from Countries with Economies in Transition (Russian Far Strategic Planning and Management of the Energy East, Mongolia) on Identification and Realization of Sector: Training Materials Review Meeting, Energy Efficiency Investments, Niigata and Osaka, Bangkok, July Japan, December

Subregional Workshops on Application of the Subregional Workshop for South-East Asia on the Guidelines on Strategic Planning and Management of Promotion of Public Awareness of Water Water Resources Development: South-East Asia, Conservation, Laguna, Philippines, December Phnom Penh, July; Pacific, Sigatoka, Fiji, August; Central Asia, Cholpan-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, August; ESCAP/FAO Round-table Workshop on National South Asia, Colombo, September Water Vision to Action, Vientiane, December

Workshop on Integration of Risk Analysis and Seminar on Environmental and Public Health Risks due Management of Water-related Disasters into the to Contamination of Soils, Crops, Surface and Development Process in the Typhoon Committee Groundwater from Urban, Industrial and Natural Area, Manila, July Resources in South-East Asia, Hanoi, December Twelfth Asia-Pacific Seminar on Climate Change, Information, communication and Bangkok, July-August space technology

Kitakyushu Initiative Seminar on Solid Waste Regional Seminar and Group Training on Monitoring Management, Kitakyushu, Japan, September and Assessment of Rice Crops in the ESCAP Region, Ahmedabad, India, February Subregional Workshops on Strategic Planning and

Management of the Energy Sector: South Asia, First Preparatory Meeting for Setting up the ICT Task Kathmandu, September; South-East and North-East Force Regional Network in Asia, Bangkok, February Asia, Jakarta, October

Group Training-cum-Study Tour of Construction Sector ESCAP/ITU/Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Regional Inter- Experts from Cambodia, Bangkok, September- agency Working Group on Information and October Communication Technologies: second meeting, Bangkok, March; third meeting, October ESCAP/WMO Regional Workshop on Management: Strengthening Capacity-building by the National Seminar on Information Technology Needs Assessment Meteorological Services of Least Developed in the Greater Mekong Subregion, Bangkok, April Countries in Water-related Disaster Management, Bangkok, October Regional Working Group on Satellite Communication Applications, seventh meeting, Bangkok, May Subregional Workshop for North-East Asia on Strategic Planning and Management of Water Resources, Beijing, October International Course on Emerging Trends in Satellite Meteorological Applications with Special Emphasis International Symposium on Water Resources Planning on Microwave Remote Sensing, Ahmedabad, India, for Sustainable Socio-economic Development and May Decision-making, Beijing, October Regional Working Group on Space Science and Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting on Policy Options and Technology Applications, seventh meeting, Bangkok, Planning in Sustainable Development of Water May Resources in Asia, Bangkok, November Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting on End-use Energy Regional Working Group on Meteorological Satellite Efficiency towards the Promotion of a Sustainable Applications and Natural Hazards Monitoring, Energy Future, Bangkok, November seventh meeting, Beijing, June

ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, thirty-fifth session, Regional Working Group on Remote Sensing, Chiang Mai, Thailand, November Geographic Information Systems and Satellite-based Positioning, eighth meeting, Beijing, June Training Workshop on Negotiations and Implementation of the United Nations Framework Intergovernmental Consultative Committee on the Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Regional Space Applications Programme for

48 Sustainable Development, eighth session, Beijing, June Expert Group Consultation on Sustainable Social Development in a Period of Rapid Globalization: Regional Workshop on Cooperative Mechanisms in Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Options, Space Technology Applications for Natural Disaster Bangkok, January Management, Beijing, June Thematic Working Group on Education for All: Bangkok, January, May and October Training Course on Space Technology and Remote

Sensing, Beijing, July-August Meeting of the Jury of the 2001 ESCAP HRD Award, Bangkok, February Subregional Workshop on Information Technology Needs Assessment and IT-led SME Business Second Regional Training of Trainers Course on the Development in the Greater Mekong Subregion, Promotion of Non-handicapping Environments for Bangkok, August Persons with Disabilities, Bangkok, February-March

Training Course on Satellite Meteorology and the Preparatory Committee for the Fifth Asian and Pacific Global Climate, Ahmedabad, India, August 2002- Population Conference: first meeting, Bangkok, March; April 2003 second meeting, October Training Course on Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Technologies for Integrated Seminars on Using Legal Instruments to Combat Land and Water Resources Management, Cibinong- Trafficking in Women and Children: South-East Asia, Bogor and Yogyakarta, Indonesia, September- Phnom Penh, March; South Asia, Kathmandu, April; November Central Asia, Tashkent, May

Regional Workshop on Management: Strengthening ESCAP National HRD Training of Trainers Courses for Capacity-building of the National Meteorological Poverty Alleviation and Conflict Negotiation Skills Services of Least Developed Countries, Bangkok, for Youth: Phnom Penh, May; Manila, July; Yangon, October September; Kerala, India, November; Colombo, December Expert Group Meeting on Environmental Technology Assessment, Bangkok, October Thematic Working Group on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality: Bangkok, June and November National Seminars on the Integration of Environmental and Quality Management Systems in the ESCAP Seminar on ICT Accessibility for People with Region: New Delhi, October; Hanoi, Manila and Disabilities, Bangkok, June Tianjin, China, November; Colombo and Kathmandu, December Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns: fourth meeting, Bangkok, June; fifth Postgraduate Diploma Course on Remote Sensing and meeting, Bangkok, December Geographic Information Systems, Dehra Dun, India, October 2002-June 2003 Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting on Preparations for the Conclusion of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Governing Board of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Disabled Persons, Bangkok, June Transfer of Technology, seventeenth session, Hanoi, November Training Workshops on Asia and Pacific Women’s Electronic Networking: Seoul, August; Kuala International Workshop on Sustainable Development Lumpur, October and Poverty Alleviation: Challenges and Opportunities for Consultants, Hanoi, November ESCAP National HRD Courses on Psychosocial and Medical Services for Sexually Abused and Sexually Asia-Pacific Conference on Cybercrime and Exploited Children and Youth: Bangkok, August; Information Security, Seoul, November Nha Trang, Viet Nam, September

Regional Workshop on the Use of Space Technology Asia-Pacific Seminar on Regional Follow-up to the for Disaster Management, Bangkok, November Second World Assembly on Ageing, Shanghai, China, September

Social development, including emerging ESCAP/UNIFEM/Ministry for Foreign Affairs of social issues Sweden Seminar on Promoting Gender Equality to

49 Combat Trafficking in Women and Children, on Nadi Town Council corporate planning and follow Bangkok, October up on the implementation of phase I of Lautoka Town Council corporate planning; (c) to provide assistance Expert Group Meeting on Integrated Policies and in the preparation of corporate plans for Fiji Programmes on Sexual and Reproductive Health and municipalities: Lami (phase II), Ba (phase I) and Prevention of HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse Sigatoka (phase III); and (d) to provide follow-up among Youth, Bangkok, October assistance on municipal corporate planning in Labasa, Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuoka Campaign 2002 to Promote the Asian and Pacific municipalities Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, Osaka, Japan, October Lao People’s Democratic Republic, to advise the National Council for Science on ICT and on the Judicial Colloquium on the Application of International development of a web-based plant nutrition and Human Rights Law at the Domestic Level, Bangkok, protection information system November Marshall Islands: (a) to advise on formulating and Training Workshop for Government Officials on developing the National Master Plan, 2003-2018; and Reporting under the Convention on the Elimination (b) to provide advice to the Ministry of Foreign of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Affairs on export competitiveness in the food industry Bangkok, November New Caledonia, to assist the Government in drafting a Round-table Discussion to Commemorate the project proposal on the development of income- International Day for the Elimination of Violence generating activities in Kanak tribes against Women, Bangkok, November Palau, to advise the public sector on development of the food industry Round Table on Gender and HIV/AIDS, Bangkok, December Samoa, to advise the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry on export competitiveness in the food Expert Group Meeting on Regional Implementation and industry Monitoring of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Outcome of the Twenty-third Special Session of the Solomon Islands: (a) to reorganize the Central Bank; General Assembly, Bangkok, December and (b) to consult with government authorities and Honiara Town Council on strategies to formulate a Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting on Information and corporate plan for the town Communication Technology for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Population and Poverty Alleviation Tonga, to advise the Ministry of Labour, Commerce Programme: Role of ICT for Population and and Industries on development of the food industry Development and Poverty Reduction, Bangkok, December Statistics

C. List of advisory services Azerbaijan, to provide advice in identifying the sources of information and indicators in the Poverty and development compilation of financial accounts of the SNA Bhutan, to advise the Central Statistical Organization, Cambodia, to advise the Ministry of Agriculture, Planning Commission, on improving its capacity to Forestry and Fisheries on ICT and on the generate national accounts and other economic development of a web-based plant nutrition and statistics protection information system Brunei Darussalam: (a) to advise the Department of Fiji: (a) to prepare interviews, survey data and gather Economic Planning and Development, Ministry of information for Labasa Town Council corporate Finance, on national accounts; and (b) to advise the planning (phase I), participate in the annual meeting Department of Statistics, Prime Minister’s Office, on of the Fiji Local Government Association and advise policies for the promotion, attraction and facilitation on Savusavu Town Council corporate planning of FDI (phase I) and Lautoka Town Council corporate planning (phase I); (b) to follow up on phase I of Macao, China, to advise the Macao Statistics and Savusavu Town Council corporate planning, Census Service on the compilation of quarterly complete phase I of the plan and conduct a workshop national accounts and review the initial estimates of

50 quarterly gross domestic product by type of Marshall Islands, to discuss with and advise the expenditure for the period 1998-2001 Ministry of Resources and Development on matters regarding trade policy and trade promotion Maldives, to advise the Statistics Section of the Ministry of Planning and National Development on Myanmar, to advise senior officials of the Directorate the implementation of the 1993 SNA of Trade, Ministry of Commerce, and other related government departments on WTO issues Myanmar, to conduct a training course on the

introduction and implementation of the 1993 SNA Pakistan, to advise the Ministry of Science and Papua New Guinea, to assist the Economic Statistics Technology on issues relating to e-commerce and Division in setting the benchmark estimates for some SMEs components of national accounts using the results of the 2000 population census Philippines: (a) to advise the Philippine Trade Training Center on activities to enhance Philippine Thailand: (a) to advise the National Statistical Office exports and give a presentation to government on conducting a workshop on the establishment of officials and business sector representatives; and (b) enterprise surveys; and (b) to assist the Bank of to advise the Center on the new WTO issues Thailand in using SNA data for economic analysis at pertaining to the Doha Development Agenda both the sector and overall macroeconomic levels Samoa, to advise officials of the Department of Trade, Timor-Leste, to participate in a mission and provide Commerce and Industry, as well as other relevant advisory services to the Statistics Office on the departments, on matters relating to WTO accession balanced development of the national statistical and regional trade arrangements system Solomon Islands, to brief officials of the Ministry of Trade and investment Commerce, Employment and Trade, the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs and Trade Relations and other Cambodia: (a) to provide advice and knowledge on relevant departments on matters concerning WTO, the Bangkok Agreement in the context of Cambodia’s regional trade agreements and current international efforts to liberalize trade on a regional and global issues basis; and (b) to advise the Ministry of Commerce on

e-service business development Thailand: (a) to provide advice on issues relating to

the General Agreement on Trade in Services at the Cook Islands, to advise the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Third WTO/ESCAP Trade Policy Course on WTO and Immigration on matters relating to the Cook and the Multilateral Trading System for Developing Islands-China Trade Agreement as well as the WTO Economies; and (b) to discuss potential ESCAP Doha Development Round support to the Electronic Commerce Resource

Center Lao People’s Democratic Republic, to advise officials of the Lao Trade Promotion Center and the Tonga, to advise the Ministry of Labour, Commerce Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce, and Industries on matters relating to the WTO Doha on trade promotion, WTO and trade policy matters Development Round and discuss matters concerning

Tonga’s accession to WTO Malaysia: (a) to brief the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers on regional trade arrangements and Vanuatu, to advise the Department of Trade, Industry deliver a presentation on China’s entry into WTO and and Investment, and other related agencies on matters challenges to Malaysian industries; (b) to support pertaining to Vanuatu’s accession to WTO as well as the Global Knowledge Partnership Asia-Pacific the operations of the WTO Customs Valuation regional meeting on electronic commerce and advise Agreement the Malaysian Administrative Modernization and

Management Planning Unit on the preparations for Viet Nam: (a) to provide expertise and make the Asia Pacific Council for Trade Facilitation and presentations on various subjects relating to the Electronic Business; (c) to brief the members of the General Agreement on Trade in Services at the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Secretariat on UNDP/Ministry of Planning and Investment current trade policy development and trends as well workshop on the General Agreement on Trade in as market opportunities in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Services; and (b) to advise the Ministry of Science, Samoa and Vanuatu; and (d) to provide advice in the Technology and Environment on issues and context of the 20th plenary meeting of the Asia institutions involved in international trade facilitation Pacific Council for Trade Facilitation and Electronic

Business

51 Transport and tourism Malaysia, to provide advice on El Niño to the National Institute of Public Administration, Public Service Mongolia, to advise the Ministry of Infrastructure on Department, through the Economic Planning Unit reviewing and revising its current policies on land Mongolia: (a) to consult with the National Water transport services and formulating a strategy for Committee and provide advice at a national workshop developing Mongolia’s potential as a transit country on the development of a national action plan; (b) to between China and the Russian Federation advise the Ministry of Nature and Environment on the

preparation of a draft project framework and participate in the subsequent national stakeholders Environment and sustainable development consultation and subregional project planning meetings; (c) to prepare a background paper and Bangladesh, to provide technical advisory services to conduct the national training workshop on water the Planning Commission in examining the current resource policy and a water action plan for the status of commitment and identifying a strategy for Ministry of Nature and Environment; and (d) to incorporating United Nations conventions, treaties provide advisory services to an energy conservation and protocols in the national planning process and environmental consulting company and the Ministry of Infrastructure on a demonstration energy Cook Islands, to advise the Energy Division, Ministry audit and a prefeasibility assessment of potential of Works, on wind energy development energy efficiency at a milk factory Myanmar: (a) to assist the Water Resources Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, to provide Utilization Department, Ministry of Agriculture, in advisory services to the General Bureau for conducting a feasibility study of groundwater Cooperation with International Organizations, development in the Pale-Salingyi area, visit the area Ministry of Foreign Trade, on a concept, design and under investigation and write a report with feasibility study on the rehabilitation of the Mirim recommendations for groundwater exploration and barrage in Pyongyang assessment; and (b) to advise the Myanmar Fiji: (a) to prepare a report on experiences and recent Agriculture Service on the Stockholm and Basel efforts to reform water resources management in the conventions at a training of trainers workshop on Pacific, undertake a mission to advise on the pesticide law establishment of a framework for the comprehensive Papua New Guinea: (a) to advise the Department of development of water resources and prepare the Environment and Conservation on various report on findings and proposed follow-up action; environmental issues and assist in the formulation of and (b) to assist the Mineral Resources Department in a national action plan in the context of a project identifying and assessing the relevance of earlier related to land degradation; and (b) to advise the government initiatives to revise Fiji’s mining Geological Survey Division, Department of Mining, regulations on the development of a geothermal resources database and formulate an appropriate technical Indonesia, to advise the Ministry of Environment with a view to improving capacity-building on climate assistance programme change issues for national stakeholders and strengthening the national policy and programme on Republic of Korea, to participate in the second UNEP climate change expert group meeting on the development of criteria and guidelines for the identification and selection of Iran (Islamic Republic of), to provide advisory environmentally sound technologies services to the Ministry of Energy and conduct an on-site training energy audit at a sugar refinery Thailand: (a) to organize a four-day workshop on environmental issues and statistics for the National Kyrgyzstan, to assist the Kyrgyz Irrigation Research Statistical Office; (b) to provide advisory services and Institute in the preparation of project concepts assistance to the Industrial Estate Authority of relating to land degradation and sustainable mountain Thailand in developing a cleaner production pasture management, and prepare a draft Global management concept implementation plan for the Environment Facility proposal on sustainable Textile Industrial Estate; (c) to advise the mountain pasture management in Central Asia Environment Division of the Department of Mineral Resources, Ministry of Industry, on the technical Lao People’s Democratic Republic, to provide advisory services to be provided; and (d) to provide advisory services to the Government on the subject of advice to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration environmental management: policy, standards and on air pollution monitoring sustainable development

52 Timor-Leste, to identify the Government’s needs in the Thailand: (a) to advise the Ministry of Labour and area of water resources development, management Social Welfare on skills development for women and assessment and youth; (b) to assist the Department of Fisheries in the development of community-based fisheries Uzbekistan, to advise the Main Hydrometeorology and integrated aquaculture for enhancing community Administration on the drafting of a full-sized Global food security; and (c) to assist the Department Environment Facility project proposal of Community Development of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in preparations Vanuatu, to provide advice to the Energy Unit, for a training workshop for directors of Government of Vanuatu, on a prefeasibility study on vocational training schools and senior officials the utilization of geothermal energy of BMA

Viet Nam: (a) to identify areas for environmental policy research to facilitate the preparation and Vanuatu: (a) to provide advice in the context of the implementation of a recently initiated Agenda 21 Vanuatu common country assessment/United Nations project and advise the Ministry of Planning and Development Assistance Framework workshop; and Investment and other key government stakeholders in (b) to provide advice on the Vanuatu squatter the Agenda 21 project; and (b) to provide advice in assessment in Port Vila and Luganville the context of the seminar on environmental and public health risks due to contamination of soils, crops, surface and groundwater from urban, industrial and natural sources

Social development, including emerging social issues

Brunei Darussalam, to assist the Department of Community Development, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, on planning and programming for poverty alleviation and participate in the national seminar on social issues

Fiji: (a) to advise and develop with Nasinu Town Council phase I of a squatter assessment; and (b) to make a presentation of survey results and analysis for phase III of the Nasinu squatter study Lao People’s Democratic Republic, to provide advisory assistance to the Department of Planning, State Planning Committee, on the preparation of the National Poverty Eradication Programme Philippines, to assist the Office of the President of the Philippines in undertaking a needs assessment of the Gawad Kalinga Programme and advise how the programme could be packaged for multilateral and bilateral funding through a “debt for poverty alleviation” scheme Solomon Islands, to undertake an initial assessment of disability issues and project assessment for persons with disabilities

53 Annex V

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

As adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its fourth session, amended by the Council at subsequent 2. The territories of Asia and the Pacific referred to in sessions, and revised in consequence paragraph 1 shall include Afghanistan, American Samoa, of various General Assembly resolutions. Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, French The Economic and Social Council, Polynesia, Georgia, Guam, Hong Kong, China, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Korea, Having considered General Assembly resolution 46(I) of Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Macao, China, 11 December 1946, in which the General Assembly Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated "recommends that, in order to give effective aid to the countries States of), Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, devastated by war, the Economic and Social Council, at its next New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Pakistan, Palau, session, give prompt and favourable consideration to the Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russian Federation, Samoa, establishment of ... an Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East", Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. Having noted the report of the Working Group for Asia and the Far East of the Temporary Sub-Commission on 3. The members of the Commission shall consist of Economic Reconstruction of Devastated Areas, Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Democratic Establishes an Economic and Social Commission for Asia People's Republic of Korea, Fiji, France, Georgia, India, and the Pacific with terms of reference as follows: Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, 1. The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated the Pacific, acting within the framework of the policies of the States of), Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, United Nations and subject to the general supervision of the New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Council, shall, provided that the Commission takes no action in Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Samoa, Singapore, respect of any country without the agreement of the Government Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga, of that country: Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, (a) Initiate and participate in measures for facilitating Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and Viet Nam, provided that any State in concerted action for the economic reconstruction and the area which may hereafter become a Member of the United development of Asia and the Pacific, for raising the level of Nations shall be thereupon admitted as a member of the economic activity in Asia and Commission. the Pacific and for maintaining and strengthening the economic relations of these areas both among themselves 4. The associate members shall include American and with other countries of the world; Samoa, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, Hong Kong, China, Macao, China, New Caledonia, Niue and Northern (b) Make or sponsor such investigations and studies of Mariana Islands. economic and technological problems and developments within territories of Asia and the Pacific as the Commission deems 5. Any territory, part or group of territories within the appropriate; geographical scope of the Commission as defined in paragraph 2 may, on presentation of its appli-cation to the Commission by (c) Undertake or sponsor the collection, evaluation and the member responsible for the international relations of such dissemination of such economic, technological and statistical territory, part or group of territories, be admitted by the information as the Commission deems appropriate; Commission as an associate member of the Commission. If it

has become responsible for its own international relations, such (d) Perform such advisory services, within the available territory, part or group of territories may be admitted as an resources of its secretariat, as the countries of the region may associate member of the Commission on itself presenting its desire, provided that such services do not overlap with those application to the Commission. rendered by the specialized agencies or the relevant United Nations bodies;

(e) Assist the Economic and Social Council, at its request, in discharging its functions within the region in connection with any economic problems, including problems in the field of technical assistance;

(f) In carrying out the above functions, deal, as appropriate, with the social aspects of economic development and the interrelationship of the economic and social factors.

6. Representatives of associate members shall be entitled and Social Council, in accordance with the principles approved to participate without vote in all meetings of the Commission, by the Council for this purpose and contained in Council whether sitting as Commission or as Committee of the Whole. resolution 1296 (XLIV).

7. Representatives of associate members shall be eligible 12. The Commission shall take measures to ensure that to be appointed as members of any committee, the necessary liaison is maintained with other organs of the or other subordinate body, which may be set up by the United Nations and with the specialized agencies. The Commission and shall be eligible to vote and hold office in such Commission shall establish appropriate liaison and cooperation body. with other regional commissions in accordance with the resolutions and directives of the Economic and Social Council 8. The Commission is empowered to make and the General Assembly. recommendations on any matters within its competence directly to the Governments of members or associate members 13. The Commission may, after discussion with any concerned, Governments admitted in consultative capacity, and specialized agency functioning in the same general field, and the specialized agencies concerned. The Commission shall with the approval of the Council, establish such subsidiary submit for the Council's prior consideration any of its proposals bodies as it deems appropriate, for facilitating the carrying out of activities that would have important effects on the economy of its responsibilities. of the world as a whole. 14. The Commission shall adopt its own rules of 9. The Commission shall invite any Member of the procedure, including the method of selecting its Chairperson. United Nations not a member of the Commission to participate in a consultative capacity in its consideration of any matter of 15. The Commission shall submit to the Council a full particular concern to that non-member. report on its activities and plans, including those of any subsidiary bodies, once a year. 10. The Commission shall invite representatives of specialized agencies and may invite representatives of any 16. The administrative budget of the Commission shall be intergovernmental organization to participate in a consultative financed from the funds of the United Nations. capacity in its consideration of any matter of particular concern to that agency or organization, following the practice of the 17. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall Economic and Social Council. appoint the staff of the Commission, which shall form part of the Secretariat of the United Nations. 11. The Commission shall make arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations which have 18. The headquarters of the Commission shall be located been granted consultative status by the Economic at Bangkok, Thailand.

19. The Council shall, from time to time, make special reviews of the work of the Commission.

Annex VI

RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

As drawn up at the first session, confirmed and adopted at Chapter II the second session, and amended at subsequent sessions of the Commission. AGENDA

Rule 4

Chapter I The provisional agenda for each session shall be drawn up by the Executive Secretary in consultation with the Chairman. SESSIONS Rule 5 Rule 1 The provisional agenda for any session shall include: The following principles shall apply as regards date and place for the sessions of the Commission: (a) Items arising from previous sessions of the Commission; (a) The Commission shall at each session recommend the date and place for its next session, subject to the approval of (b) Items proposed by the Economic and Social the Council and in consultation with the Secretary-General. Council; Sessions of the Commission shall also be held within forty-five days of the communication to the Executive Secretary of a (c) Items proposed by any member or associate request to that effect by the Economic and Social Council, and, member of the Commission; in that case, the Secretary-General shall establish the place of such sessions in consultation with the Chairman of the (d) Items proposed by a specialized agency in Commission; accordance with the agreements of relationship concluded between the United Nations and such agencies; (b) In special cases the date and place of the session may be altered by the Secretary-General in consultation with the (e) Items proposed by non-governmental organizations Chairman of the Commission and the Council's Interim in general consultative status, subject to the provisions of rule 6; Committee on Programme of Conferences. At the request of the majority of the members of the Commission, the (f) Any other items which the Chairman or the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Chairman of the Executive Secretary sees fit to include. Commission and the Council's Interim Committee on Programme of Conferences, may also alter the date and place of Rule 6 the session; Non-governmental organizations in general consultative (c) Sessions shall ordinarily be held at the office of the status may propose items on matters within their competence for United Nations in Asia and the Pacific. The Commission may the provisional agenda of the Commission, subject to the recommend holding a particular session elsewhere. following conditions:

(a) An organization which intends to propose such an Rule 2 item shall inform the Executive Secretary at least sixty-three days before the commencement of the session, and before The Executive Secretary shall, at least forty-two days formally proposing an item shall give due consideration to any before the commencement of a session, distribute a notice of the comments he may make; opening date of the session, together with three copies of the provisional agenda and of the basic documents relating to each (b) The proposal shall be formally submitted with the item appearing on the provisional agenda. Distribution shall be relevant basic documentation not less than forty-nine days similar to that under rule 49. before the commencement of the session. The item shall be included in the agenda of the Commission if it is adopted by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. Rule 3

The Commission shall invite any Member of the United Nations not a member of the Commission to participate in a consultative capacity in its consideration of any matter of particular concern to that Member.

Rule 7 Vice-Chairman also ceases to represent a member of the Commission, or is so incapacitated that he can no longer hold The first item upon the provisional agenda for each office, the Second Vice-Chairman shall become Chairman for session shall be the adoption of the agenda. the unexpired portion of the term.

Rule 8 Rule 16

The Commission may amend the agenda at any time. The Vice-Chairman acting as Chairman shall have the same powers and duties as the Chairman.

Rule 17 Chapter III The Chairman, or the Vice-Chairman acting as Chairman, REPRESENTATION AND CREDENTIALS shall participate in the meetings of the Commission as such, and Rule 9 not as the representative of the member by whom he was accredited. The Commission shall admit an alternate Each member shall be represented on the Commission by representative to represent that member in the meetings of the an accredited representative. Commission and to exercise its right to vote. Rule 10

A representative may be accompanied to the sessions of the Commission by alternate representatives and advisers and, Chapter V when absent, he may be replaced by an alternate representative. SECRETARIAT Rule 11 Rule 18 The credentials of each representative appointed to the Commission, together with a designation of alternate The Executive Secretary shall act in that capacity at all representatives, shall be submitted to the Executive Secretary meetings of the Commission and of its subcommissions, other without delay. subsidiary bodies and committees. He may appoint another member of the staff to take his place at any meeting. Rule 12 Rule 19 The Chairman and the two Vice-Chairmen shall examine the credentials and report upon them to the Commission. The Executive Secretary or his representative may at any meeting make either oral or written statements concerning any question under consideration.

Chapter IV Rule 20

OFFICERS The Executive Secretary shall direct the staff provided by the Secretary-General and required by the Commission, its Rule 13 subcommissions, and any other subsidiary bodies and committees. The Commission shall, at its first meeting of each year, elect from among its representatives a Chairman and two Rule 21 Vice-Chairmen, designated as First and Second Vice-Chairmen, who shall hold office until their successors are elected. They The Executive Secretary shall be responsible for the shall be eligible for re-election. necessary arrangements being made for meetings.

Rule 14 Rule 22

If the Chairman is absent from a meeting, or any part The Executive Secretary in carrying out his functions thereof, the Vice-Chairman designated by the Chairman shall shall act on behalf of the Secretary-General. preside. Rule 23 Rule 15 Before new proposals which involve expenditure from If the Chairman ceases to represent a member of the United Nations funds are approved by the Commission, the Commission, or is so incapacitated that he can no Executive Secretary shall prepare and circulate to members an longer hold office, the First Vice-Chairman shall become estimate of that part of the cost involved in the proposals which Chairman for the unexpired portion of the term. If the First could not be met out of the resources available to the secretariat.

It shall be the duty of the Chairman to draw the attention of Rule 30 members to this estimate, and invite discussion on it before the proposals are approved. The Commission may limit the time allowed to each speaker.

Rule 31

Chapter VI Draft resolutions, and substantial amendments or motions, shall be introduced in writing and handed to the Executive CONDUCT OF BUSINESS Secretary, who shall circulate copies to the representatives at least twenty-four hours before they are discussed and voted Rule 24 upon, unless the Commission decides otherwise.

A majority of the members of the Commission shall Rule 32 constitute a quorum. Upon the request of any member, any motion and Rule 25 amendment thereto made by any speaker shall be given to the Chairman in writing and shall be read by him before any further In addition to exercising the powers conferred upon him speaker is called upon and also immediately before a vote is elsewhere by these rules, the Chairman shall declare the opening taken on such motion or amendment. The Chairman may direct and closing of each meeting of the Commission, shall direct the that any motion or amendment be circulated to the members discussion, ensure the observance of these rules, and shall present before a vote is taken. accord the right to speak, put questions to the vote, and announce decisions. The Chairman may also call a speaker to This rule shall not apply to formal motions such as one for order if his remarks are not relevant to the subject under closure or adjournment. discussion. Rule 33 Rule 26 Principal motions and resolutions shall be put to the vote During the discussion of any matter, a representative may in the order of their submission unless the Commission decides raise a point of order. In this case, the Chairman shall otherwise. immediately state his ruling. If it is challenged, the Chairman shall forthwith submit his ruling to the Commission for decision, Rule 34 and it shall stand unless overruled. When an amendment revises, adds to or deletes from a Rule 27 proposal, the amendment shall be put to the vote first, and, if it is adopted, the amended proposal shall then be put to the vote. During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move the adjournment of the debate. Any such motion shall Rule 35 have priority. In addition to the proposer of the motion, one representative shall be allowed to speak in favour of, and one If two or more amendments are moved to a proposal, the representative against, the motion. Commission shall vote first on the amendment furthest removed in substance from the original proposal; then, if necessary, on Rule 28 the amendment next furthest removed; and so on, until all the amendments have been put to the vote. A representative may at any time move the closure of the debate whether or not any other representative has signified his Rule 36 wish to speak. Not more than two representatives may be granted permission to speak against the closure. The Commission may, at the request of a representative, decide to put a motion or resolution to the vote in parts. If this is Rule 29 done, the text resulting from the series of votes shall be put to the vote as a whole. The Chairman shall take the sense of the Commission on a motion for closure. If the Commission is in favour of the closure, the Chairman shall declare the debate closed. Chapter VII

VOTING

Rule 37

Each member of the Commission shall have one vote.

Rule 38 shall be kept by the secretariat. They shall be sent as soon as possible to the representatives of members and to the Except for the provision of rule 6(b), decisions of the representatives of any other government agency or organization Commission shall be made by a majority of the members which participated in the meeting concerned. Such present and voting. representatives shall inform the secretariat, not later than seventy-two hours after the circulation of any summary record, Rule 39 of any changes they wish to have made. Any disagreement concerning such changes shall be referred to the Chairman, The Commission shall take no action in respect of any whose decision shall be final. country without the agreement of the Government of that country. Rule 47

Rule 40 The corrected version of the summary records of public meetings shall be distributed as soon as possible in accordance The Commission shall normally vote by a show of hands. with the usual practice of the United Nations. This shall include If any representative requests a roll-call, a roll-call shall be distribution to non- governmental organizations in general and taken in the English alphabetical order of the names of the special consultative status and those on the Roster, and on members. appropriate occasions to consultative members.

Rule 41 Rule 48

All elections shall be decided by secret ballot. The corrected version of the summary records of private meetings shall be distributed as soon as possible to the members Rule 42 of the Commission, to any consultative member participating in the meeting concerned, and to the specialized agencies. They If a vote is equally divided upon matters other than shall be distributed to all the Members of the United Nations if elections, a second vote shall be taken at the next meeting. If and when the Commission so decides. this vote also results in equality, the proposal shall be regarded as rejected. Rule 49

Rule 43 As soon as possible, the text of all reports, resolutions, recommendations and other formal decisions made by the After the voting has commenced, no representative shall Commission, its subcommissions or other subsidiary bodies and interrupt voting except on a point of order in connection with the its committees shall be communicated to the members of the actual conduct of the voting. Brief statements by members Commission, to the consultative members concerned, to all consisting solely of explanations of their votes may be permitted other Members of the United Nations, to the specialized by the Chairman, if he deems it necessary, before the voting has agencies, and to the non-governmental organizations in general commenced or after the voting has been completed. and special consultative status and those on the Roster.

Chapter VIII Chapter X

LANGUAGES PUBLICITY OF MEETINGS

Rule 44 Rule 50

Chinese, English, French and Russian shall be the The meetings of the Commission shall ordinarily be held working languages of the Commission. in public. The Commission may decide that a particular meeting or meetings shall be held in private. Rule 45

Speeches made in one of the working languages shall be Chapter XI interpreted into the other working languages. CONSULTATIONS WITH SPECIALIZED AGENCIES AND THE INTERNATIONAL Chapter IX ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

RECORDS Rule 51

Rule 46 1. Where an item proposed for the provisional agenda for a session contains a proposal for new activities to be undertaken Summary records of the meetings of the Commission by the United Nations relating to matters which are of direct

concern to one or more specialized agencies or the International (c) The organization shall give due consideration to any Atomic Energy Agency, the Executive Secretary shall enter into comments which the Executive Secretary may make in the consultation with the agency or agencies concerned and report course of such consultation before transmitting the statement in to the Commission on the means of achieving coordinated use of final form; the resources of the respective agencies. (d) A written statement submitted by an organization 2. Where a proposal put forward in the course of a in general consultative status will be circulated in full if it does meeting for new activities to be undertaken by the United not exceed 2,000 words. Where a statement is in excess of Nations relates to matters which are of direct concern to one or 2,000 words, the organization shall submit a summary, which more specialized agencies or the International Atomic Energy will be circulated, or shall supply sufficient copies of the full Agency, the Executive Secretary shall, after such consultation as text in the working languages for distribution. A statement will may be possible with the representatives at the meeting of the also be circulated in full, however, upon the specific request of other agency or agencies concerned, draw the attention of the the Commission or of one of its subsidiary bodies; meeting to these implications of the proposal. (e) A written statement submitted by an organization in 3. Before deciding on proposals referred to above, the special consultative status will be circulated in full if it does not Commission shall satisfy itself that adequate consultations have exceed 1,500 words. Where a statement is in excess of 1,500 taken place with the agencies concerned. words, the organization shall submit a summary, which will be circulated, or shall supply sufficient copies of the full text in the working languages for distribution. A statement will also be Chapter XII circulated in full, however, upon the specific request of the Commission or other subsidiary bodies; RELATIONS WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (f) The Executive Secretary in consultation with the Chairman or the Commission itself may invite organizations on Rule 52 the Roster to submit written statements. The provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) above shall apply to such Non-governmental organizations in general and special statements; consultative status may designate authorized representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of the Commission. (g) A written statement or summary, as the case may Organizations on the Roster may have representatives present at be, will be circulated by the Executive Secretary in the working such meetings which are concerned with matters within their languages and, upon the request of a member or associate field of competence. member of the Commission, in any of the official languages.

Rule 55 Rule 53 (a) The Commission and its subsidiary bodies may Written statements relevant to the work of the consult with organizations in general or special consultative Commission or its subsidiary bodies may be submitted by status either directly or through a committee or committees organizations in general and special consultative status on established for the purpose. In all cases, such consultations may subjects for which these organizations have a special be arranged on the request of the organization; competence. Such statements shall be circulated by the Executive Secretary to the members and associate members of (b) On the recommendation of the Executive Secretary the Commission except those statements which have become and at the request of the Commission or one of its subsidiary obsolete - e.g. those dealing with matters already disposed of, bodies, organizations on the Roster may also be heard by the and those which have already been circulated in some other Commission or its subsidiary bodies. form to members and associate members of the Commission or its subsidiary bodies. Rule 56

Subject to rule 23 the Commission may recommend that a Rule 54 non-governmental organization which has special competence in a particular field should undertake specific studies or The following conditions shall be observed regarding the investigations or prepare specific papers for the Commission. submission and circulation of such written statements: The limitations of rule 54(d) and (e) shall not apply in this case.

(a) The written statement shall be submitted in one of Chapter XIII the official languages; SUBCOMMISSIONS, OTHER SUBSIDIARY (b) It shall be submitted in sufficient time for BODIES AND COMMITTEES appropriate consultation to take place between the Executive Secretary and the organization before circulation; Rule 57

After discussion with any specialized agency functioning adopt their own rules of procedure unless otherwise decided by in the same field, and with the approval of the Economic and the Commission. Social Council, the Commission may establish such continually acting subcommissions or other subsidiary bodies as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions and shall define the powers and composition of each of them. Such autonomy as Chapter XIV may be necessary for the effective discharge of the technical responsibilities laid upon them may be delegated to them. REPORTS

Rule 58 Rule 60

The Commission may establish such committees and The Commission shall, once a year, submit to the subcommittees as it deems necessary to assist it in carrying out Economic and Social Council a full report on its activities and its tasks. plans, including those of any subsidiary bodies.

Rule 59

Subcommissions or other subsidiary bodies and Chapter XV committees, subcommittees and working parties shall AMENDMENTS AND SUSPENSIONS

Rule 61

Any of these rules of procedure may be amended or suspended by the Commission, provided that the proposed amendments or suspensions do not attempt to set aside the terms of reference laid down by the Economic and Social Council.

E/2003/39/Add.1 E/ESCAP/1298/Add.1

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

ANNUAL REPORT

ADDENDUM COVERING THE SECOND PHASE OF THE FIFTY-NINTH SESSION (1-4 September 2003)

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL OFFICIAL RECORDS, 2003

SUPPLEMENT No. 19

UNITED NATIONS New York, 2003

NOTE

Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.

E/2003/39/Add.1 E/ESCAP/1298/Add.1

ISSN: 0252 - 2284 CONTENTS

Paragraphs Page

Abbreviations ...... (iii) Introduction ...... 1 1 Chapter I. RESOLUTIONS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ...... 1

II. FIFTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION (PHASE II)...... 2-317 2 A. Attendance and organization of work...... 2-14 2 B. Agenda...... 15 3

C. Account of proceedings ...... 16-317 3 Statement by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP...... 18-20 3 Message from the Secretary-General of the United Nations ...... 21-28 4 Inaugural address by the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand ...... 29-45 4 Policy issues for the ESCAP region ...... 46-96 6 Policy statement by the Executive Secretary ...... 46-57 6 Implications of recent economic and social developments ...... 58-77 7 Integrating economic and social concerns, especially HIV/AIDS, in meeting the needs of the region...... 78-96 9 Management issues...... 97-141 11 Implementation of Commission resolution 58/1 on restructuring the conference structure of the Commission ...... 97-106 11 Activities of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission...... 107-114 11 Outcome of the evaluation of the regional institutions and the ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre ...... 115-141 12 Theme topic for the sixtieth session of the Commission ...... 142-144 15 Emerging issues and developments at the regional level...... 145-257 15

Poverty reduction...... 145-165 15 Managing globalization...... 166-243 17 Report of the Steering Group of the Committee on Regional Economic Cooperation on its fourteenth meeting ...... 169 17 Report of the Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development on its fourth session...... 170-191 17 Report of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Development on its fourth session ...... 192-208 19 Regional developments and issues...... 209-236 21 Report on the Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery...... 237-243 23 Emerging social issues...... 244-257 24 Report of the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference ...... 244-246 24 Rights-based approach to social development ...... 247-252 24 (i)

CONTENTS (continued)

Paragraphs Page

Shanghai Implementation Strategy ...... 253-254 25 Report of the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002 ...... 255-257 25

Least developed, landlocked and island developing countries ...... 258-264 25

Reports of regional intergovernmental bodies ...... 265-287 26

Asian and Pacific Development Centre ...... 265-270 26 Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia...... 271-274 26 Mekong River Commission ...... 275-278 27 Typhoon Committee...... 279-282 27 Panel on Tropical Cyclones ...... 283-287 28

Ministerial Round Table ...... 288-317 28

HIV/AIDS...... 288-310 28 Report on the Millennium Development Goals...... 311-317 30

III. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION AT ITS FIFTY-NINTH SESSION (PHASE II)...... 32

59/1. Regional action in follow-up to the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS ...... 32 59/2. Strengthening social safety in the Asian and Pacific region...... 33 59/3. Regional implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific during the Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012 ...... 34 59/4. Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010...... 36

Annexes

I. Statement of programme budget implications of actions and proposals of the Commission ...... 37 II. Documents submitted to the Commission during the second phase (listed by agenda item) ...... 38

(ii)

ABBREVIATIONS

ACPR Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and Other Representatives Designated by Members of the Commission ADB Asian Development Bank APCAEM Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery APCTT Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations CCOP Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia CGPRT Centre Regional Coordination Centre for Research and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific ECE Economic Commission for Europe EPOC ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre FDI foreign direct investment GDP gross domestic product HIV/AIDS human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ICT information and communication technology IMF International Monetary Fund IT information technology JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency ODA official development assistance OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SIAP Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific SMEs small and medium-sized enterprises TRIPS trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme WHO World Health Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization WTO World Trade Organization

(iii)

Introduction

1. It will be recalled that, owing to the SARS epidemic, the fifty-ninth session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific was divided into two phases. The first phase was held on 24 and 25 April 2003. The report on the first phase is contained in document E/2003/39 (E/ESCAP/1298). The second phase of the fifty- ninth session was held from 1 to 4 September 2003. The report on the second phase was adopted unanimously by the Commission at its final plenary meeting on 4 September 2003. The present report is issued as an addendum to the report on the first phase.

Chapter I

RESOLUTIONS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

59/1. Regional action in follow-up to the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS

59/2. Strengthening social safety in the Asian and Pacific region

59/3. Regional implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific during the Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012

59/4. Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010

Chapter II

FIFTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION (PHASE II)

A. Attendance and organization of work Nations Development Fund for Women, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment 2. The second phase of the fifty-ninth session of Programme, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime the Commission was held at the United Nations and United Nations Population Fund. Officials from the Conference Centre, Bangkok, from 1 to 4 September Office of the High Representative for the Least 2003. The session comprised the plenary, two Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Committees of the Whole and one Working Group on Countries and Small Island Developing States and Draft Resolutions, which met in parallel. the Regional Commissions New York Office also attended. 3. The session was attended by representatives of the following members and associate members: 6. Representatives of the following specialized agencies were present in a consultative capacity: Australia Nepal International Labour Organization, Food and Azerbaijan Netherlands Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Bangladesh New Zealand Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Bhutan Pakistan Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, Brunei Darussalam Palau World Health Organization, World Bank, International Cambodia Papua New Guinea Monetary Fund, Universal Postal Union, International China Philippines Telecommunication Union, World Meteorological Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Organization and United Nations Industrial Republic of Korea Russian Federation Development Organization. Fiji Samoa 7. The following intergovernmental organizations France Singapore attended as observers: Asian and Pacific Coconut India Solomon Islands Community, Asian and Pacific Development Centre, Indonesia Sri Lanka Asian Clearing Union, Asian Development Bank, Iran (Islamic Thailand Asian-Pacific Postal Union, Asian Productivity Republic of) Tonga Organization, Asian Reinsurance Corporation, Asia- Japan Turkey Pacific Telecommunity, Centre on Integrated Rural Kazakhstan United Kingdom of Development for Asia and the Pacific, Colombo Plan Kiribati Great Britain and Secretariat, Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Lao People’s Northern Ireland Programmes in East and Southeast Asia, European Democratic United States of America Commission, International Organization for Migration, Republic Uzbekistan Mekong River Commission, Pacific Islands Forum Malaysia Vanuatu Secretariat, South Asia Cooperative Environment Maldives Viet Nam Programme and Typhoon Committee Secretariat. Micronesia (Federated French Polynesia States of) Hong Kong, China 8. Observers were present from the following Mongolia Macao, China non-governmental organizations in general consultative Myanmar Niue status: Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, International Council on Social 4. By virtue of rule 3 of the Commission’s rules Welfare, International Federation of Business and of procedure, representatives of Argentina, Austria, Professional Women, International Federation on Botswana, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Ageing, International Movement ATD Fourth World, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Romania, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Muslim Slovakia, South Africa, Spain and Switzerland attended. World League, World Federation of Trade Unions, Representatives of the Holy See also attended. World Muslim Congress, World Veterans Federation and Zonta International; and from the following 5. Representatives of the following United organizations in special consultative status: Baha’i Nations bodies attended: Joint United Nations International Community, Disabled Peoples’ Programme on HIV/AIDS, Office of the High International, International Air Transport Association, Commissioner for Human Rights, Office of the United Population Council and World Association for Small Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Secretariat and Medium Enterprises; and from the following of the United Nations Convention to Combat organization on the roster: International Union of Desertification, United Nations Children’s Fund, United Railways.

2 9. Representatives of the ASEAN Port 2. Policy issues for the ESCAP region: Authorities Associations, Asian Institute for Rural (a) Implications of recent economic and Development, Asia-Pacific Development Center on social developments; Disability, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Japan International Cooperation (b) Integrating economic and social Agency and Pakistan Christian Peace Foundation also concerns, especially HIV/AIDS, in attended the session. meeting the needs of the region. 10. The list of participants is given in document 3. Management issues: ESCAP(LIX)/INF.1/Add.1/Rev.1. (a) Implementation of Commission 11. In accordance with rule 13 of its rules of resolution 58/1 on restructuring procedure, the Commission elected the Hon. Tan Sri the conference structure of the Bernard Giluk Dompok (Malaysia) Chairperson of the Commission; second phase of the fifty-ninth session. (b) Activities of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives and 12. Following its past practice, the Commission Other Representatives Designated decided to elect the following heads of delegations by Members of the Commission; Vice-Chairpersons: H.E. Mr. Shamsaddin Khanbabayev (Azerbaijan), H.E. Mr. Ou Orhat (Cambodia), H.E. Mr. (c) Outcome of the evaluation of the Shen Guofang (China), Hon. Solomoni Naivalu (Fiji), regional institutions and the ESCAP H.E. Mr. S.B. Mookherjee (India), H.E. Mr. Achmad Pacific Operations Centre. Sujudi (Indonesia), H.E. Mr. Mohammad Reza Vaezmahdavi (Islamic Republic of Iran), H.E. Mr. 4. Theme topic for the sixtieth session of the Eisuke Hinode (Japan), H.E. Mr. Phongsavath Boupha Commission. (Lao People’s Democratic Republic), H.E. Mr. Ibrahim 5. Emerging issues and developments at the Hussain Zaki (Maldives), H.E. Ms. Natsag Udval regional level: (Mongolia), H.E. U Soe Tha (Myanmar), H.E. Mr. Shankar Prasad Sharma (Nepal), H.E. Mr. Waqar (a) Poverty reduction; Masood Khan (Pakistan), H.E. Mr. Antonio S. Lopez (b) Managing globalization; (Philippines), H.E. Mr. Sajith Premadasa (Sri Lanka), H.E. Mr. Surakiart Sathirathai (Thailand), Hon. Raphael (c) Emerging social issues. Worwor (Vanuatu) and H.E. Mr. Dao Viet Trung (Viet 6. Least developed, landlocked and island Nam). developing countries. 13. Committee of the Whole I elected Ms. Noumea 7. Reports of regional intergovernmental Simi (Samoa) Chairperson and Ms. Sumaira K. Aslam bodies. (Pakistan) and Mr. Soodsakorn Putho (Thailand) Vice- Chairpersons. Committee of the Whole II elected 8. Other matters. Mr. Bayazid Mardookhi (Islamic Republic of Iran) and H.E. Ms. Adi Litia Samanunu Qalirea Talakuli Cakobau 9. Adoption of the report of the Commission. (Fiji) and Mr. Joseph Yun (United States) Vice-

Chairpersons. C. Account of proceedings 14. The Commission also constituted a Working Group on Draft Resolutions, under the chairmanship of 16. The session was declared open by the Acting Mr. Ashok Sajjanhar (India), to consider draft Chairperson of the fifty-eighth session, H.E. Mr. resolutions presented during the session. Ms. Maria Shankar Prasad Sharma (Nepal). The Executive Lourdes V. Ramiro Lopez (Philippines) and Mr. Mikhail Secretary of ESCAP delivered an address, followed by a E. Savostiyanov (Russian Federation) were elected video message from the Secretary-General. H.E. Mr. Vice-Chairpersons of the Working Group. Korn Dabbaransi, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, delivered the inaugural address.

17. H.E. Mr. Festus G. Mogae, President of the B. Agenda Republic of Botswana, and Dr. Nafis Sadik, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for 15. The Commission adopted the following agenda: HIV/AIDS in Asia, attended and gave keynote addresses at the Ministerial Round Table focusing on 1. Opening of the session: HIV/AIDS on 2 September 2003.

(a) Opening addresses; Statement by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP (b) Election of officers; 18. The Executive Secretary welcomed those (c) Adoption of the agenda. attending the session. He expressed gratitude to the

3 Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand for inaugurating 28. He commended ESCAP for choosing to focus the session, thus reaffirming the country’s commitment on HIV/AIDS at the current session. It was a terrifying to the aims and ideals of the United Nations and the challenge, but, with energy and imagination, the disease role of ESCAP in promoting sustainable economic could be beaten. development and social equity in the region. Inaugural address by the Deputy Prime Minister 19. He noted that the Economic and Social of Thailand Council, at its substantive session in July 2003, had approved the admission of Timor-Leste as a full 29. The Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand member of the Commission. With the inclusion of extended a warm welcome to all participants. Bangkok Timor-Leste, the Commission comprised 53 members had been home to ESCAP for over 50 years, and he and 9 associate members. wished all participants a pleasant stay in Thailand.

20. He expressed confidence that, with the strong 30. On behalf of the Government of Thailand, he support and close cooperation of all member States, the welcomed Timor-Leste as the fifty-third member of Commission would be able to tackle the numerous and ESCAP and expressed confidence that its participation daunting challenges ahead. would help to strengthen the Commission in its role as the main economic and social development forum in the Asian and Pacific region. Message from the Secretary-General of the United Nations 31. Thailand was particularly proud to host ESCAP, which now served more than 3.5 billion 21. In his message, the Secretary-General noted people, representing over 60 per cent of the world’s that in recent decades more people had escaped from population. As the only intergovernmental forum poverty in Asia and the Pacific than in any other part of covering the entire region, ESCAP had been a catalyst the world, and more than at any previous time. The for long-term social and economic development for over ESCAP region had done more than any other region to five decades, with the last two decades showing make globalization work to its advantage. substantial progress. In addition to a decrease in poverty, there had been improvements in other areas, 22. Those gains had impressed the whole world; such as health care, education, basic infrastructure and they must be cherished and carefully nurtured and, gender equality. Furthermore, in the preceding year above all, should not be reversed by the growing threat most economies in the Asian and Pacific region had of HIV/AIDS. shown signs of surprising strength, despite the 23. More than 8 million people in the region were continued weakness of the world economy. now living with HIV/AIDS, and the number was rising 32. The current year could present a different fast. Some areas had been battling the epidemic for story. Even though it was still unclear to what extent well over a decade, but it had now reached almost every the war in Iraq and the spread of SARS might have corner of the region. affected growth, their ramifications for core industries 24. Left unchecked, AIDS would not only of the region, especially tourism, were detrimental. The most obvious impact was that the Commission had had devastate millions of lives; it would also impose huge burdens on the region’s health systems and soak up to meet in a second phase, rather than as originally resources that were badly needed for social and scheduled in April. The impact of those two events might have been controlled in a relatively short period economic development. of time, but one lesson to be drawn was that if not dealt 25. The fight against HIV/AIDS required constant with in the most effective and expeditious manner, a vigilance and renewal. Experience elsewhere had deadly epidemic could be more dangerous to the world shown that its spread could only be turned back when than the impact of war. there was a coordinated response from all sectors of society and every branch of government. It required 33. Against that backdrop, there was an urgent need for a quick response mechanism to deal with the leadership at every level. outbreak of infectious diseases. Access to the right 26. As representatives of the region’s information was critical in times of crisis. People Governments, members of the Commission could make should not be left in limbo: the public needed to be that happen. It was a vital responsibility. informed of the latest developments while assuming that the appropriate measures were in place so that there 27. One of the Millennium Development Goals, would be no room for panic. That was exactly the agreed by all the world’s Governments, was to halt, and approach which the Government of Thailand had taken begin to reverse, the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout in dealing with the recent SARS crisis. Giving the the world by the year 2015. Since it represented the public access to the facts concerning the severity of the world’s largest region, in both area and population, the disease and the Government’s actions to control it on a Commission had a decisive part to play in ensuring the regular basis had proved to be a successful strategy for attainment of that goal. There was no time to lose. Thailand. Public confidence had also been created

4 through measures taken in concert with other countries. 38. Statistics showed that currently one in five new Thailand, for instance, had hosted the Special ASEAN- HIV infections throughout the world occurred in the China Leaders Meeting on SARS in April 2003 and the Asian and Pacific region, which threatened to replace APEC Health Ministers’ Meeting on SARS in June sub-Saharan Africa as the new centre of the global 2003. Those meetings had given rise to a general HIV/AIDS pandemic if corrective action was not taken. consensus that there was need for a regional mechanism It was imperative to strive to control that common to prevent such outbreaks of disease or other crises in threat, which hindered the opportunities for economic the future. Without access to the accurate information and social development. Accordingly, Thailand necessary for early warning and confidence-building remained committed to containing the spread of among the public, such a mechanism could hardly work HIV/AIDS and eliminating the scourge of malaria and to the advantage of countries in the region. other major diseases that afflicted humanity, in line with the Millennium Development Goals. Thailand also 34. The United Nations Millennium Development stood ready to cooperate and share its experiences in Goals had set a standard for human development in the combating HIV/AIDS with other countries. In that world and served as a reiteration of the fact that regard, Thailand would host the Fifteenth International economic and social aspects, ranging from poverty AIDS Conference in July 2004, in the hope that regional eradication to fighting HIV/AIDS to ensuring and international cooperation in preventing and environmental sustainability, were two sides of the same alleviating the HIV/AIDS pandemic would save coin. Both needed to be achieved in order to sustain the millions of lives and prevent the economic and social well-being of the world community. The priorities gains of the region from being reversed. reflected in the Millennium Development Goals mirrored those of Thailand’s own development strategy, 39. On the economic front, one of the challenges which aimed to stimulate sustainable growth and social facing developing countries of the ESCAP region, equality through empowerment of the people, building including Thailand, was to maintain the momentum of strength from the grass roots. In fact, Thailand was one economic recovery while committing themselves to country that proposed the new concept of “MDGs- trade liberalization and enhanced productivity and Plus”, using the Millennium Development Goals as a competitiveness. In order to create a stronger baseline of development rather than as an ultimate goal. foundation for economic stability and a more equitable Thailand was confident that it could achieve and even distribution of income, Thailand had initiated a new exceed the Goals by 2015. policy aimed at extending resources to support SMEs and microbusinesses. Thailand was also committed to 35. ESCAP was playing an important role in seizing the benefits of the digital economy and strengthening the capacities of countries in the region to promoting a knowledge-based economy. Those were cope with the challenges of globalization. Those issues that were being pursued rigorously in various challenges needed to be addressed collectively with a forums, including APEC and the Asia Cooperation view to accelerating the economic dimension of Dialogue. development while attending to the management of complex social issues. In that regard, the work of the 40. Since October 2002, Thailand had arranged ESCAP secretariat on the implementation of resolution APEC meetings in various parts of the country. The 58/1 of 22 May 2002, aimed at restructuring the APEC Summit itself would be held at Bangkok in conference structure of the Commission to focus on the October 2003. The theme of that meeting, “A world of three thematic areas of poverty reduction, managing differences: partnership for the future”, underscored the globalization and emerging social issues, was to be diversity of APEC member economies and the commended. importance of building a strategic and mutually beneficial partnership from the existing diversity. One 36. It was significant that the theme of the current of the subthemes of the meeting was “Promoting human session, “Integrating economic and social concerns, security”, which clearly reflected Thailand’s vision in especially HIV/AIDS, in meeting the needs of the attaching great importance to the incorporation of both region”, enabled participants to discuss those concerns economic and social concerns into its development and decide how to deal with them in the context of strategy. regional cooperation. 41. Another regional forum that was gaining 37. The issue of HIV/AIDS always stood out as a momentum was the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, which grave concern of modern times. The spread of had been inaugurated in June 2002 to serve as a forum HIV/AIDS was extremely alarming, with over 42 for both cooperation and dialogue on common issues million people worldwide infected by the deadly virus, such as poverty alleviation, SMEs, e-commerce, energy 90 per cent of whom lived in developing countries. security, tourism and financial cooperation, thus HIV/AIDS and the recent outbreak of infectious propelling the whole of Asia into a new dimension. diseases such as SARS were non-traditional threats that Thailand had been honoured to host the Second Asia posed a severe challenge to human security and socio- Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting at Chiang economic development, affecting health care, industrial Mai in June 2003. One of the outstanding outcomes of productivity and human resources. A holistic approach that meeting had been the formal creation of the Asian was needed to combat those threats. Bond Fund and the Asian bond market, representing the

5 new architecture of the world of differences. The Asian 45. On behalf of the Government of Thailand, the Bond Fund was designed to enable surplus capital from Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the offer by the one Asian country to create wealth in another and to Government of China to host the sixtieth session of the contribute not only to ensuring the full recovery of the Commission at Shanghai in 2004. region’s economies but also to promoting the adoption of best practices in Asia’s capital market development. The Asian bond would also benefit regions outside Policy issues for the ESCAP region Asia, serving, together with the United States and euro bond markets, to support a more balanced and stable Policy statement by the Executive Secretary world financial market. 46. The Executive Secretary began by noting that 42. On the domestic front, since the present Thai the crisis caused by SARS had ended and he was Government had assumed office more than two years gratified that its adverse impact on the economies of the previously, domestic needs and priorities had been region had been confined to the second quarter of 2003. carefully rearranged based primarily on domestic Although developing countries of the ESCAP region resources and strengths. Poverty and debt reduction had had been able to exceed their collective 2001 growth by been placed at the top of the development agenda. nearly 2 percentage points in 2002, maintaining that Thailand’s economic growth of 5.2 per cent in 2002, the performance was subject to major caveats in the months highest since the economic crisis in 1997, demonstrated ahead: first, there was the aftermath of the war in Iraq, the Government’s notable success in pursuing a dual- which was manifesting itself in volatile energy markets; track economic policy. On the one hand, that policy second, ongoing political tensions; and third, the ever- underscored the important role of the private sector in present danger of a major terrorist attack. trade and investment with emphasis on social 47. The Executive Secretary informed the responsibility. On the other hand, the grass-roots Commission that ESCAP’s work was concentrated on economy was being stimulated through a number of three key thematic areas: poverty reduction, managing government-assisted programmes, such as the globalization and addressing emerging social issues. establishment of village funds, microcredit facilities, Those themes provided a conceptual basis for the SME incentive schemes and the “one village, one secretariat to integrate economic and social concerns in product” scheme. Despite SARS, growth in 2003 was meeting the needs of the region. They also presented a projected to be around 5.5-6 per cent, coupled with very framework for combining theoretical precepts with sound fiscal and financial records. On 31 July, Thailand lessons drawn from real life. had announced its last repayment of loans to IMF, making the country free from all IMF obligations two 48. Within the overall theme of poverty reduction, years ahead of schedule. ESCAP had made an important contribution to supporting the achievement of the Millennium 43. Growth in GDP alone was inadequate to Development Goals in the region. In addition to enhance the welfare of the people, especially in rural mainstreaming the relevant Goals in the programme of areas. Efforts were therefore directed towards work of the secretariat, it had taken time-bound and improvement in the delivery of basic social needs such results-based initiatives to support their achievement in as health care, education, employment, credit, housing the region; under those initiatives, the first regional and social security, and towards greater participation by report on the Millennium Development Goals in Asia local communities in the development process. New and the Pacific had been published in June 2003. opportunities needed to be created while enhancing the ESCAP had also embarked on identifying and entrepreneurial spirit of people at the grass-roots level promoting good practices in poverty reduction, so that they would, in turn, become an enterprising including the replication of the Saemaul Undong element in the country’s growth. Thailand was certain programme of the Republic of Korea in two least that its economy rested on a secure and stable developed countries and the promotion of community- foundation that would lead to a path of sustainable based safety nets through the Human Dignity Initiative development. It was firmly convinced that the problem in five countries. of poverty could be eradicated within six years. 49. The process of globalization had been more 44. There were many challenges lying ahead in the vibrant in Asia than elsewhere. However, its benefits light of rapid globalization. The new ESCAP had not been equally distributed in the region. In the conference and programme structure provided a sound mid-term review of the Doha work programme at the basis for strengthening the future role of ESCAP in the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference at Cancún, Mexico, promotion of sustainable development, which was developing countries rightly wished to see concrete critical to achieving regional and universal prosperity evidence of development benefits accruing from the and peace. ESCAP needed vision and policy guidelines negotiations. In that regard, the recent revision by the from its members and associate members on how to Government of Japan of its generalized system of steer its work in response to their needs. There was a preferences scheme to substantially expand duty-free need to cooperate in good faith and in a spirit of and quota-free access to the products of developing partnership to achieve the objectives of sustainable countries, and of the least developed countries in development. particular, was a welcome initiative. Similarly, recent

6 initiatives to expand the membership and coverage of 56. The Executive Secretary referred briefly to the products under regional trading arrangements, including current year’s theme study on “Integrating economic those under the third round of negotiations of the and social concerns, especially HIV/AIDS, in meeting Bangkok Agreement, should also continue to provide a the needs of the region”. The principal finding of the mechanism for expanded trade flows in the region. study was that it was crucial to promote public health in the region. For its part, the secretariat would strengthen 50. The World Summit on Sustainable its efforts to assist national and local partners in tackling Development had been held in 2002 and its Plan of the spread of HIV/AIDS and other major infectious Implementation had identified priority areas for action diseases. In addition, ESCAP would promote the and imparted a sense of urgency in that regard. Special objectives of the Plan of Action on Population and emphasis had been given to the role of regional Poverty adopted at the Fifth Asian and Pacific commissions in implementation. Population Conference, held in December 2002, and implement the Beijing Platform for Action for the 51. ESCAP had been actively involved in follow- advancement of women. up work on financing for development at the regional level. The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the 57. In conclusion, the Executive Secretary noted Pacific 2003 had looked at the financing of education that the process of ESCAP revitalization was continuing and health by the public sector in developing countries hand in hand with the overall reform of the United from the perspective of domestic resource mobilization. Nations. In that context, ESCAP had undertaken an The secretariat was currently examining the overall evaluation of the regional institutes operating under its resource implications of achieving the Millennium auspices, namely, APCTT, the CGPRT Centre and Development Goals in the context of the discussions on SIAP. poverty reduction at the first session of the Committee on Poverty Reduction, to be held in October 2003. Implications of recent economic and 52. The previous few years had demonstrated the social developments enormous benefits of ICT. Nevertheless, for the benefits to be equally shared, there was an urgent need 58. The Commission had before it the document for concerted action by all stakeholders and for entitled “Report on the current economic situation in the favourable national policy frameworks. One of region and related policy issues” (E/ESCAP/1266/Rev.1 ESCAP’s contributions to that had been the and Corr.1) and the Economic and Social Survey of Asia establishment of the Information, Communication and and the Pacific 2003 (ST/ESCAP/2233). It appreciated Space Technology Division, whose primary mandate the comprehensive nature and excellent quality of the was to promote ICT in the region. ESCAP was also documentation prepared by the secretariat. actively engaged in the regional preparatory process leading up to the World Summit on the Information 59. The Commission noted that despite Society. unfavourable conditions in 2002 the economic performance of developing countries in the ESCAP 53. For better integration of the landlocked region had been healthy: they had been the fastest- countries in Asia into the globalizing economy, growing economies in the world. In 2003, the region improvement of the regional transport infrastructure was had had to face further difficulties such as the war in an urgent necessity. ESCAP had undertaken studies and Iraq, the outbreak of SARS and new terrorist attacks. organized subregional seminars in Central Asia, the Lao Those developments had adversely affected the People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia and Nepal to economic outlook for the region, in particular tourism formulate a regional platform for transit transport and investment. Nevertheless, the economic cooperation. performance of the region had remained satisfactory in the first half of the year. 54. The Executive Secretary affirmed that in a globalizing world economy ESCAP was fully engaged 60. Given that background, Governments of the in addressing the special needs of the economies in region were faced with significant policy challenges. In Central Asia and the Pacific. the short term, notwithstanding the positive impact of intraregional trade in 2002 and the first half of 2003, 55. Within the theme of addressing emerging sustaining growth would depend on stimulating social issues, ESCAP was assisting its members in domestic demand. Governments would also have to formulating and implementing policies following the pursue improved standards of public and private sector rights-based approach. In that context, it had organized governance and greater transparency within their the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Conclude domestic spheres. the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, at Otsu City, Shiga, Japan, in October 2002. 61. In the medium to long term, the problem of The Meeting had adopted the Biwako Millennium poverty was the major policy challenge facing the Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Rights- developing countries. In that regard, the Commission based and Barrier-free Society for Persons with recognized that in order to attain the Millennium Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. Development Goals and improve the well-being of the

7 people, national economic policies and social policies 66. With regard to the environment-poverty nexus, had to be effectively coordinated and integrated. the Commission noted that the poor tended to be the Experience indicated that economic development and primary victims of global environmental damage. They social development were intertwined. As such, social relied heavily on fragile natural resources for their development objectives, such as the reduction of livelihoods and had fewer ways of responding to inequality and poverty, full employment, social environmental problems. Against that background, the protection and the provision of basic social services Commission recognized that reducing poverty might be must receive due importance in the formulation of an effective way of mitigating environmental damage, economic policies. The Commission suggested that the and vice versa. It was also suggested that addressing secretariat undertake research to evaluate the interaction the problems of poverty and environmental degradation between economic and social policies in order to simultaneously might be both more cost-effective and reconcile policy agendas and examine more closely the more sustainable over the long term. In that regard, the mechanisms by which social expenditures acted as Commission agreed on the need to provide assistance to productive factors in the development process. countries in formulating strategic approaches to address poverty and environment issues effectively. 62. The Commission noted that in order to create a stronger foundation for economic stability and a more 67. The Commission noted the steps taken by equitable distribution of income, a new policy aimed some countries in the region in meeting their at expanding resources to support SMEs and commitments arising out of the World Summit on microbusinesses was needed. Additional resources Sustainable Development, particularly in developing could be generated from increased FDI and ODA, debt cross-sectoral programmes that would address the relief initiatives and gains from trade. linkage between poverty and the environment. It also supported initiatives that could be useful in assessing 63. While deliberating on the strong positive the impact of poverty, particularly in ecologically linkages between economic and social development, the threatened areas, and their implications for the Commission noted that a healthy and educated marginalized people in those areas. population, particularly women, improved economic performance. That, in turn, provided a platform for 68. Reiterating the importance of sustainable further improving standards of health and education. development, the Commission confirmed that greater The Commission supported the findings and effort was needed in building environmental recommendations contained in the Survey on how to awareness, decentralizing responsibilities and improving ensure adequate and efficient education and health coordination between agents, policy makers and services, considered to be key elements for poverty institutions to improve the effectiveness of reduction. While the public sector remained a major environmental policies. provider of those services in developing countries of the region, greater involvement of the private sector and 69. With respect to the theme of globalization, the support from the developed countries were also needed, Commission noted that globalization brought both particularly for the least developed and landlocked benefits and costs. The benefits needed to be shared developing countries, whose ability to provide social more equitably and the costs minimized. Within services was still constrained by their special problems. globalization, trade based on an open, predictable, non- discriminatory, rules-based multilateral trading system 64. The Commission noted with appreciation the was a fundamental component of the development financial contribution made by the Korea International strategies of the Commission’s members and associate Cooperation Agency to ESCAP’s feasibility studies in members. The Commission noted that the emergence three countries in the region to assess the potential of of multiple regional and bilateral trading agreements learning from the Republic of Korea’s Saemaul Undong had played an important role in the expansion of model to reduce poverty. intraregional trade. That, together with the strengthened multilateral trading system, had made international trade 65. The Commission observed that natural the major engine of economic growth, replacing ODA. disasters such as drought, floods and earthquakes were major factors affecting the spread of poverty in 70. In the context of globalization, the South and South-West Asia. There was a need for Commission noted that FDI inflows to developing international cooperation mechanisms to combat the countries were concentrated in a few countries. That adverse impact of natural disasters. The delegation of trend had not only led to increasing disparities in the Islamic Republic of Iran recommended the income but had also widened the productivity gap establishment of an international specialized body among developing countries. The Commission noted within the United Nations to deal with the problems of further that policies and mechanisms needed to be natural disasters. It also informed the Commission that devised to improve the distribution of FDI and an international centre for coexistence with deserts, maximize the benefits and development impact of the affiliated with Tehran University, was being established available FDI in those countries. to conduct pilot projects in the country. It requested the secretariat to extend financial and technical assistance to 71. The Commission welcomed the Declaration on the centre. the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health adopted at the

8 Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference at Doha, but urged 76. The Commission stressed the importance of the greater use by developing countries of the compulsory full implementation of the outcome of the International licensing provisions in the Declaration. In that context, Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit it welcomed the recent decision of the WTO General Developing Countries and Donor Countries and Council to improve developing country access to International Financial and Development Institutions on generic medicines, including antiretroviral drugs to Transit Transport Cooperation, held at Almaty in combat HIV/AIDS, for public health reasons. The August 2003. It noted that the development of transport Commission expressed the hope that following that corridors between Asia and Europe and the project on agreement, momentum could be gained in rapid and the planning and implementation of demonstration runs substantial reductions in agricultural subsidies, tariffs of container block trains along the Trans-Asian Railway and non-tariff barriers to imports of goods and services Northern Corridor provided promising areas for regional from developing countries, simplification and relaxation cooperation. of rules of origin and increased financial and technical assistance to developing countries for capacity-building 77. The Commission noted that negative shocks, in in trade policy and related areas such as product economics or health, did not remain confined to development and technology and expansion and particular countries or regions. Hence, the only path development of the agro-sector. towards sustained development was through collective action. Countries had to work together in close 72. The Commission stressed the need for special cooperation to overcome difficulties as they arose. As a attention to be given to the integration of least United Nations intergovernmental organization, ESCAP developed countries into the multilateral system on fair provided an important venue for countries in the region and equitable terms, including through a commitment to enhance exchanges and cooperation in various areas on duty-free and quota-free access for all those and inject new vigour into the economic and social countries’ products and a guarantee of a substantial development of the region. increase in the market share of unskilled and semi- skilled providers of goods and services in world trade. Integrating economic and social concerns, especially 73. The Commission welcomed the expected HIV/AIDS, in meeting the needs of the region admission of Cambodia and Nepal to WTO at the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference. At the same time, it 78. The Commission appreciated the relevance of noted that the ESCAP region continued to account for the theme topic “Integrating economic and social the highest share of countries that were not yet members concerns, especially HIV/AIDS, in meeting the needs of of WTO. It stressed the need to simplify and streamline the region”. It noted the timeliness of the fifty-ninth accession procedures to enable developing countries to session for collective regional deliberations on the participate more effectively in the multilateral trading HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Asian and Pacific region. system. 79. The Commission commended the secretariat 74. In the context of emerging social problems, the for the high quality and attractive presentation of the Commission agreed that, while the problem of theme study, as well as its detailed analysis of the HIV/AIDS was not new, it was no longer simply a HIV/AIDS situation in the Asian and Pacific region. It health problem but a serious threat to development, also welcomed the recommendations in the study on security and stability that directly affected people’s overcoming the HIV/AIDS pandemic. well-being. The problem had therefore to be dealt with in a holistic manner. Since there was as yet no cure for 80. The Commission recognized the severity of the the disease, prevention was the most effective way to threat to the region posed by the pandemic, and its deal with it. The Commission noted that poverty tended potential for reversing the social and economic gains of to exacerbate the rapid spread of the deadly AIDS virus. the past several decades. Noting that no country was Hence, efforts to eradicate poverty would have a immune to the spread of HIV/AIDS, which was one of significant impact on reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. the most devastating pandemics that humanity faced, the Commission highlighted the possibility that, left 75. The Commission recognized the importance of unchecked, HIV/AIDS could endanger the lives of well information, communication and space technologies for over half a billion young people in the region. socio-economic development, especially for bridging the digital divide, empowering disadvantaged social 81. Many delegations observed that the SARS groups, improving education and private sector pandemic during the first quarter of 2003 had development and enhancing the efficiency and highlighted the threat to development posed by transparency of public services. It acknowledged the HIV/AIDS and the need to strengthen the integration of offer of the Russian Federation to share its expertise in economic and social concerns, with the support of the field of satellite communications, navigation and political will and innovative measures, in addressing remote sensing for disaster management for the purpose such diseases. of sustainable development. It also appreciated the support of France for ESCAP’s regional cooperation 82. Many delegations emphasized that HIV/AIDS programme in space technology applications for natural was not simply a health problem but rather a non- disaster management and sustainable development. traditional threat to human security that hindered

9 poverty reduction and social and economic and uphold the human rights of, people living with development. The Commission noted the importance of HIV/AIDS. taking into consideration economic and social issues, 89. The Commission cited international and such as globalization and poverty, in long-term actions regional cooperation, including South-South to address the underlying causes of HIV/AIDS and cooperation, as a central modality for combating the mitigate its impact. In that regard, the Commission spread of HIV/AIDS. Such cooperation could take the requested the secretariat to continue its efforts to form of sharing good practices as well as securing ascertain the impact of HIV/AIDS and to address resources such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, HIV/AIDS issues at a broader macro level, in order to Tuberculosis and Malaria. Countries of the region were improve the quality of life and well-being of all encouraged to make the most of the Global Fund by individuals. actively applying for project funding. 83. The Commission endorsed the recommendations 90. The Commission underscored the role of made in the theme study. Many delegations drew ESCAP as the primary economic and social forum in attention to the need for political commitment at the the region for intercountry collaborative effort to tackle highest levels, reinforced by a multiministerial and HIV/AIDS as an issue that respected no borders. Some multisectoral approach to halting and reversing the delegations expressed the view that each country should spread of HIV/AIDS, as the only way towards a develop its own measures against the spread of comprehensive response to the pandemic. It was HIV/AIDS, while engaging in regional and interregional reported that several countries had established national cooperation in experience-sharing and mutual learning. committees on HIV/AIDS and had national plans or strategies to combat it. 91. Partnerships among government, the private sector and civil society were cited as an important 84. The Commission underscored its support for component of an integrated approach to tackling all people living with HIV/AIDS, especially those living HIV/AIDS, to improve the range of services and in poverty, to have greater access to affordable and facilitate the pooling of resources. The Commission high-quality antiretroviral drugs. In that regard, it recognized the mobilization of social capital through welcomed the agreement recently reached by some community involvement as a key to effective WTO member countries, by which primacy was interventions. accorded to the need to ensure wide access to life- saving drugs over the patent rights of pharmaceutical 92. Donor countries reaffirmed their commitment companies. Some delegations referred to the to supporting global efforts to combat HIV/AIDS accessibility and availability of essential life-saving through bilateral, regional and multilateral medicines as a basic human right. arrangements, including the Global Fund. HIV/AIDS had been incorporated into the mid-term work plan 85. Several delegations informed the Commission (2003-2005) of the Human Security Network, in which, of their national plans to manufacture generic inter alia, member States were requested to factor in antiretroviral drugs, to supply them at lower prices and HIV/AIDS as a component of international assistance improve their distribution to people living with programmes. HIV/AIDS. Some delegations also referred to the implementation of policies on the free distribution of 93. The Commission drew attention to the need to antiretroviral drugs, as well as other relevant treatment pursue follow-up action on various international and for people living with HIV/AIDS. regional mandates pertaining to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It emphasized the need for all countries to 86. The Commission called for a balance between do their utmost to meet the Millennium Development prevention and treatment and care. It recognized the Goals related to HIV/AIDS and poverty reduction. It need for targeted prevention covering vulnerable was informed that HIV/AIDS had been incorporated groups, including children and youth, women, sex into the 2001 ASEAN Summit Declaration on workers, injecting drug users, migrant workers and HIV/AIDS and the ASEAN five-year work plan on internally displaced people. It stressed the importance HIV/AIDS. of working with civil society organizations to reach out to vulnerable groups. 94. Some delegations pointed out that the greatest negative impact of pandemics such as HIV/AIDS and 87. The Commission underscored certain universal SARS was on least developed countries. Building principles in HIV/AIDS intervention. Those included a national capability to provide adequate prevention multisectoral and integrated approach, confidentiality against such diseases, as well as treatment and care for and privacy in voluntary counselling and testing, people infected and affected by them, was an important accessibility of affordable and quality care and priority, particularly for those countries. The sustained medication, and the involvement of people living with support of the international community, particularly for HIV/AIDS in decision-making. poorer countries, was crucial. 88. In highlighting stigma and discrimination as a 95. The Commission acknowledged the major issue in the region, some delegations urged that importance of using ICT for informed policy- and more efforts be made to eliminate prejudices against, decision-making on HIV/AIDS issues. It recommended

10 that ICT be fully exploited for a comprehensive additional financial implications of such arrangements response to HIV/AIDS. It proposed that ESCAP should be considered carefully, unless there was a promote the availability, on an affordable basis for strong commitment on the part of the host country developing and least developed countries, of agreeing to host the session. information on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as 101. With regard to recommendation 2 concerning provide a platform for the adoption of related good activities during the Ministerial Segment, the practices in the Asian and Pacific region. It expressed Commission acknowledged that such activities should appreciation of the offer of the Republic of Korea to take into account the time constraints of ministers. The share its experience in the use of ICT to combat organization of too many activities could dilute the HIV/AIDS. focus on important issues, such as the annual theme topic. Moreover, an increase in the number of informal 96. The Commission adopted resolution 59/1 on meetings might weaken the role of the Commission. regional action in follow-up to the Declaration of However, the Commission recognized the value of the Commitment on HIV/AIDS. informal Ministerial Round Table and felt that the practice should continue and be further developed. Management issues 102. Under recommendation 4, the view was expressed that organizing meetings of the three thematic Implementation of Commission resolution 58/1 committees in parallel, preceding the Senior Officials on restructuring the conference structure Segment, might limit the capacity of delegations to of the Commission attend the three different committee sessions. It might also present difficulties for members and associate 97. The Commission had before it document members in analysing the results of the committee E/ESCAP/1283 and Corr. 1, containing the report on the deliberations. Further assessment of the proposal implementation of Commission resolution 58/1 of 22 should await the commencement of work by the new May 2002 prepared in compliance with paragraphs 4 committees. and 6 of the resolution. In that resolution, the 103. The Commission noted the reservation against Commission had requested the Executive Secretary to the possibility of reducing the number of meeting days explore innovative ways to bring about greater during the Senior Officials Segment, since the Senior ministerial participation and more active exchanges Officials were responsible not only for reviewing the among representatives at sessions of the Commission reports of the subsidiary bodies, but also for considering and also to report to the Commission at subsequent the entire range of issues on the agenda of the sessions on the implementation of the resolution. Commission and preparing recommendations for 98. The Commission noted with appreciation the adoption during the Ministerial Segment. progress that the secretariat had made with the 104. With regard to the organization of side events restructuring process and welcomed the Executive (recommendation 5), the Commission noted the concern Secretary’s continued efforts in revitalizing ESCAP. It about time limitations on the part of the ministers to expected that the new structure, endorsed at the fifty- participate in those events. eighth session, would help to improve the focus of the ESCAP programme of work, based on its comparative 105. The Commission noted that any financial advantage in meeting the priority needs of the region. It implications arising from the implementation of the requested the secretariat, in consultation with the recommendations should be absorbed under the members and associate members, inter alia, through available regular budget resources. ACPR, to further prioritize and sharpen that focus, discontinue obsolete activities and promote the sharing 106. The Commission emphasized that the reform of best practices among countries and areas in Asia and efforts by ESCAP should be regarded as a continuous the Pacific. endeavour requiring regular review. In that connection, it emphasized the importance of a mid-term review of 99. The Commission noted the secretariat’s efforts the new ESCAP conference structure, to monitor its to improve the format of Commission sessions. It effectiveness and make adjustments, if required. expected that the implementation of the secretariat’s proposals would bring about greater ministerial Activities of the Advisory Committee of Permanent participation and more active exchanges among Representatives and Other Representatives representatives. However, concerns were raised on Designated by Members of the Commission some recommendations, which the Commission believed should be further considered by ACPR. 107. The Commission had before it documents E/ESCAP/1288 and Add.1 and 2, containing the report 100. As to recommendation 1 in the report, the of ACPR. Commission noted that holding its sessions outside Bangkok would increase the visibility of the work of 108. The report of ACPR was introduced by the ESCAP. However, one delegation noted that the representative of Australia, the ACPR Rapporteur.

11 During the period under review, May 2002 to August 112. The Commission requested that additional 2003, ACPR had held 12 regular sessions, 5 Informal efforts be made to strengthen the guiding and Working Group meetings and 1 special session. One monitoring role of ACPR in the review of various important development over the period had been the aspects of the ESCAP programme of work, including change in the structure of the Commission’s human and financial resource issues. It would be thematic committees, with ACPR providing input for beneficial for ACPR to discuss significant programme preparations and review of the final sessions of several activities during their implementation stage, in order to committees under the previous committee structure, as ensure effective implementation and successful well as considering preparations for the first sessions of programme delivery. the three new thematic committees: the Committee on Managing Globalization, the Committee on Poverty 113. The Commission emphasized that issues Reduction and the Committee on Emerging Social related to the implementation of its resolutions and Issues. decisions, including resolution 58/1 of 22 May 2002 on restructuring the conference structure of the 109. In keeping with its terms of reference (annex II Commission, should be a focus of ACPR. to resolution 58/1), ACPR had maintained close cooperation between the members and the secretariat of 114. The Commission expressed its appreciation of the Commission, and had advised and assisted the recent efforts to distribute ACPR documents via the Executive Secretary on issues relevant to the work of Internet and hoped that that development, which could ESCAP. save financial resources, would lead to further improvements in efficiency in the future. 110. ACPR had been actively involved in reviewing the outcomes of recent sessions of the Commission, in particular the plan to implement resolutions adopted at Outcome of the evaluation of the regional the fifty-eighth session of the Commission and the institutions and the ESCAP Pacific major outcomes of the first phase of its fifty-ninth Operations Centre session. It had also worked with the secretariat in planning for the fifty-ninth session of the Commission 115. The Commission had before it documents and reviewing initial plans for its sixtieth session. E/ESCAP/1299 on the outcome of the evaluation of the ACPR had also reviewed and discussed, as appropriate, regional institutions, E/ESCAP/1300 on the outcome of the preparations for and outcomes of many other recent the evaluation of the ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre, important meetings organized by the secretariat, E/ESCAP/1270, the report on the Statistical Institute for including the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Asia and the Pacific, E/ESCAP/1272, the report of the Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Regional Coordination Centre for Research and Persons, 1993-2002, held at Otsu City, Shiga, Japan, in Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber October 2002, the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific, and Conference, held at Bangkok in December 2002, and E/ESCAP/1278, the report on the Asian and Pacific the sixth session of the Special Body on Least Centre for Transfer of Technology. Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries, held at Bangkok in September 2003. ACPR had also 116. The Executive Secretary informed the reviewed the Executive Secretary’s recent initiative to Commission of his initiative to carry out, early in 2003, evaluate the three ESCAP regional institutions and the in-depth external evaluations of EPOC and the three ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre, the secretariat’s ESCAP regional institutions (APCTT, SIAP and the comprehensive evaluation of ESCAP publications and CGPRT Centre). an outline of the secretariat’s new technical cooperation strategy. At its special session in January 2003, ACPR 117. With regard to EPOC, the Executive Secretary had carried out an in-depth review of the secretariat’s indicated that the objectives of the evaluation had been draft programme of work for the biennium 2004-2005, to review the relevance, performance and sustainability which had later been endorsed by the Commission of its activities. With regard to the three regional during the first phase of its fifty-ninth session. institutions, the objectives of the evaluation exercise had been to review their operational, institutional and 111. The Commission noted the important role of programming needs with a view to ascertaining how ACPR in providing a constructive channel of they could best serve the needs of members and communication between members and the secretariat. associate members of the Commission in their In particular, it appreciated the Executive Secretary’s respective mandated areas. practice of providing regular briefings to ACPR on issues such as his participation in outside meetings and 118. In summarizing the findings of the evaluation on coordination with other organizations within and of EPOC, the Executive Secretary informed the outside the United Nations system. It hoped that efforts Commission that the independent evaluator had would be continued to make ACPR’s input into ESCAP proposed the relocation of EPOC to Suva, as it was no activities more meaningful. The Commission believed longer cost-effective to maintain the Centre at Port Vila. that strengthening the role of ACPR would further Moreover, there was increased emphasis on engaging increase the efficiency of the work of ESCAP. and cooperating with Pacific regional agencies, most of

12 which were based at Suva, on an ongoing basis. The EPOC had been invited to attend the 2003 meeting of Executive Secretary had informed the Governments of the Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific, Vanuatu and Fiji, as well as the Pacific Islands Forum and it was expected that he would be invited to future Secretariat, of the relocation, which was expected to be meetings. The Commission also noted that the completed by mid-2004. forthcoming review of the Forum Secretariat would take into account the institutional implications of relocating 119. With regard to the CGPRT Centre, the EPOC to Suva. Executive Secretary summarized the report of the Governing Board on its extraordinary session, held on 125. In reviewing the findings on the CGPRT 20 and 21 August 2003, at which the Board had Centre, the Commission expressed appreciation of the reviewed the findings and recommendations of the evaluation of the Centre within the framework of the evaluation of the CGRPT Centre. On that occasion, the revitalization of ESCAP and accepted the findings and members of the Board had reaffirmed the support of recommendations of the Governing Board at its their Governments for the Centre, with possible extraordinary session. It emphasized the importance of increases in financial contributions by some member the Centre’s activities for the development of countries. The Board had agreed that improvement in sustainable agriculture in the region and reaffirmed its the performance of the Centre was the responsibility not commitment to continuing to support the Centre. It only of the Centre but also of the member countries and agreed that the Centre needed to realign its activities of ESCAP. There had been general agreement by the with the thematic priorities of ESCAP and expand its Board that the work of the Centre should be aligned programme activities to serve the needs of member with the ESCAP programme of work, the medium-term countries. It held the view that the Centre should make plan and the thematic priorities, particularly poverty efficient use of the available resources for its projects reduction. and operations. It was also suggested that another evaluation of the Centre be conducted after three years. 120. The Commission commended the Executive Secretary on his initiative, as part of ESCAP 126. In reviewing the findings concerning SIAP, the revitalization, to evaluate EPOC and the regional Commission noted the Institute’s effective efforts in institutions with a view to enhancing their effectiveness. promoting statistical capabilities in the member It expressed general satisfaction with the findings and countries. It agreed that SIAP was generally performing recommendations of the evaluation reports. It was well within its current niche and was highly regarded generally of the opinion that implementation of the and supported by national statistical offices in the recommendations emanating from the reports would region. lead to an increase in the efficiency and effectiveness of EPOC and the regional institutions. 127. While some valuable initiatives had been taken in the past few years, the Commission recognized that 121. While noting the need to strengthen the work SIAP should give more attention to its other objective of of EPOC and the regional institutions, the Commission assisting in the establishment and strengthening of also acknowledged the benefits received by the statistical training capability through, inter alia, the members and associate members. modality of distance education and e-learning. The Commission also agreed that the Institute should 122. The Commission noted the generous significantly expand its activities under its outreach contribution and support of the host Governments and programme to better meet the statistical training needs donors to the regional institutions. It also recognized of the region. In particular, sufficient attention should the financial constraints of the regional institutions and be given to the training needs with regard to monitoring called for increased in-cash and in-kind contributions progress in the achievement of the Millennium from members and associate members and donors. It Development Goals, National Human Development recommended that funding sources be diversified and Reports and the knowledge-based economy, as well as efforts made to mobilize donors such as the World Bank the requisite statistical vehicles, such as time-use and ADB. In addition, members and associate members surveys, household income and expenditure surveys, were urged to provide in-kind contributions, including demographic and health surveys and administrative experts on non-reimbursable loan. reporting systems. The Commission took note of the 123. The Commission welcomed the review of comment by the host Government that, considering its EPOC and its recommendation that EPOC strengthen its financial constraints, the staffing requirements of the focus on the needs of Pacific island countries. It expanded outreach programme should be met by using recognized the important role of EPOC as a forum for temporary staff instead of permanent staff, to avoid a addressing the multisectoral interests of its members, financial burden in the long run. particularly those related to the social and economic 128. The Commission agreed that SIAP’s current advancement of Pacific island developing countries. courses had to be designed more explicitly in order to 124. The Commission appreciated the prospect of respond to the thematic priorities of ESCAP and the collaboration between EPOC and the Pacific Islands Millennium Development Goals. Regular planning and Forum Secretariat in the context of the Forum Economic evaluation exercises should assess the contribution of Ministers Meeting process. To that end, the Head of SIAP activities to the achievement of those priorities.

13 129. The Commission recognized that statistical (a) Technology transfer support services for training at SIAP under the umbrella of the Tokyo small and medium-sized enterprises; Metropolitan Area (TMA) courses provided valuable (b) Technology management and innovation; training opportunities for the national statistical offices of the region. It noted that there was continuing strong (c) Environmentally sound technologies; demand for the training activities of SIAP, as they had been of great use to member countries in providing (d) Emerging technologies; forums in which statisticians could exchange views and (e) Women’s entrepreneurship development. experiences. Several members and associate members requested that opportunities for the training of trainers It also commended the latest initiatives of the Centre be expanded to promote and strengthen national aimed at leveraging the impact of its activities through statistical training capabilities. harnessing the power of ICT.

130. The Commission held the view that SIAP was 135. The Commission advised that, in order to well placed to take on the important role of coordinating improve the effectiveness of APCTT activities, the the delivery of statistical training in the region with Centre should engage in a more thorough needs many other agencies and institutions. That measure assessment of its members. In particular, emphasis would improve efficiency and reduce duplication of should be given to technology commercialization, high- effort. In that regard, SIAP had to pursue a more technology transfer, technology parks and technology purposeful strategy for effective consultations and business incubator development, tech-entrepreneurship partnerships with member countries and other development, the building of IT-powered regional and stakeholders with a view to improving the cross-regional technology transfer networks, transfer of harmonization of statistical methods in the whole environmentally sound technologies, e-commerce and region. private sector involvement in the Centre’s activities. The Commission also suggested that APCTT promote 131. The Commission supported the new areas of the sharing of experiences and best practices with regard statistical training that SIAP had developed. Several to the transfer and adoption of relevant technologies in countries indicated their desire to collaborate with rural areas. Working groups of experts should be SIAP, through their national statistical centres, in jointly established in all five APCTT thrust areas. conducting some of the regional and subregional Comprehensive programme planning should be courses under its outreach programme. The established to ensure the allocation of reasonable Commission acknowledged that such collaboration financial resources. would take advantage of the training expertise and 136. One delegation mentioned that his Government facilities available in the region in implementing the was not able to benefit fully from APCTT owing to work programme of SIAP. In addition, it would help external factors. countries to acquire valuable experience in conducting international training and provide the participants with 137. The Commission expressed the need for experience in studying the statistical systems of other increased contributions to APCTT from the member countries in the region. countries in order to ensure its sustainability. It encouraged ESCAP to organize meetings for the 132. The Commission advised that the concerned representatives of the diplomatic community at New agencies in the members and associate members should Delhi and Bangkok to deliberate on key issues relating adequately reflect the strong demand of their national to the Centre’s activities and future strategy to be statistical offices for training at the TMA-based SIAP adopted for mobilizing resources. courses in the needs survey conducted by JICA. It noted that otherwise countries might lose opportunities 138. The Commission endorsed the modality of to send their statisticians to TMA-based courses on secondment by member countries to APCTT of experts JICA fellowships. on non-reimbursable loan. 133. The Commission welcomed the intention of the 139. With regard to the post of Director of APCTT, Government of Japan to make a cash contribution of which was currently vacant, one delegation drew US$ 1,752,700 and the equivalent of about US$ 1,668,500 attention to paragraph 20 of the Statutes of APCTT, in kind for the one-year period from April 2003 to which stated that the appointment should be made March 2004. It also thanked the Government of Japan in consultation with the Board. That delegation for its intention to provide to SIAP, through JICA, 63 emphasized the need to follow the established process fellowships for its annual TMA-based statistical training and requested the secretariat to provide sufficient time courses and 8 fellowships for an area-focused course for and information to the Board concerning the recruitment the Central Asian countries which were in the process of process. The secretariat took note of the request and transition to market economies. indicated that it would look into the matter. 134. Commenting on the evaluation of APCTT, the 140. The Commission requested APCTT to finalize Commission expressed appreciation of the useful a strategy for the establishment of an endowment fund, activities of the Centre in the five thrust areas: which had been endorsed at its fifty-seventh session.

14 141. The Executive Secretary concluded the members would be necessary to strengthen many of the discussions by thanking all members for their useful national statistical systems in the region. comments and support of his initiative to improve, as part of ESCAP revitalization, the effectiveness of EPOC 146. The Commission noted with satisfaction that and the regional institutions. He also announced his the Asian and Pacific region had made good progress intention to attend the forthcoming meetings of the towards reducing poverty. It further noted the efforts governing boards of all the institutions. and achievements of a number of developing member countries in reducing poverty. However, it recognized with concern that the region still accounted for two Theme topic for the sixtieth session thirds of the poverty in the world. That situation clearly of the Commission demanded that poverty be addressed as a common challenge which needed renewed and concerted efforts 142. The Commission had before it document by both Governments and international agencies. E/ESCAP/1301. 147. The Commission acknowledged that poverty 143. The Commission considered the theme topic was a multidimensional development challenge and which had been agreed upon during the first phase of broad-based sustainable economic growth and social the fifty-ninth session, subject to a final decision by the development were key elements of any framework for Commission during the second phase, and later reducing poverty. It noted that successful achievement proposed to be amended by China at the two hundred of either element required sound macroeconomic and seventy-fourth session of ACPR on 25 July 2003. management and good governance. It also noted that The Commission decided that the theme topic for its sustained economic growth had contributed to the sixtieth session would be “Meeting the challenges in steady alleviation of absolute poverty in several member an era of globalization by strengthening regional States in the Asian and Pacific region, highlighting the development cooperation”. interrelationship between poverty and economic growth.

144. One delegation indicated that it would support 148. The Commission emphasized the importance the theme topic but suggested that the focus on of targeted poverty reduction programmes for the development cooperation be broadened to capture new benefit of the hard-core poor, who were unable to initiatives in the region. benefit directly from economic growth and development. The impact evaluation of poverty reduction programmes was important to examine their Emerging issues and developments success and further increase their effectiveness in at the regional level benefiting the poor. The Commission expressed its appreciation of the secretariat’s capacity-building Poverty reduction assistance to countries for evaluating the impact of targeted poverty alleviation programmes.

145. The Commission discussed the two documents 149. While highlighting the importance of sustained before it: “Poverty reduction: developments, issues and macroeconomic stability through appropriate macro- strategies” (E/ESCAP/1268/Rev.1) and “Report of the economic policies, the Commission acknowledged that Committee on Statistics on its thirteenth session” the facilitation of existing trade and the creation of new (E/ESCAP/1269). It supported the secretariat’s strategy trade with improved access by the poor to assets, of assisting the members in reducing poverty as including land and financial assets, and the creation of reflected in the first document. It noted that the multi- an environment conducive to greater private sector pronged strategy comprised the conduct of research on participation could play vital roles in generating economic development prospects and policies that employment and business opportunities, achieving influenced poverty reduction, the gearing of operational sustainable development and reducing poverty. It was activities towards documenting, testing and equally important that the poor have access to formal disseminating good practices in poverty reduction credit facilities to start up or improve their businesses through pilot projects and adopting and replicating those and skills. The Commission recommended that the practices along with implementing activities in the areas secretariat carry out studies to explore appropriate of trade and entrepreneurial development, environment, financial frameworks that would ensure the poor equal information, communication and space technology, and access to credit facilities and promote domestic social development which had a concrete and practical financial institutions that would work for the poor. orientation towards poverty reduction. The Commission endorsed the report of the Committee on Statistics, 150. The Commission realized that, for certain which highlighted several pertinent issues. It supported developing countries, achieving economic growth and the recommendations of the Committee, including the social development so as to make an appreciable initiatives relating to statistical capacity-building. In contribution to poverty reduction could pose a challenge welcoming the work of the secretariat in the field of which could not be met without external support. For statistics, the Commission noted that continuous efforts such countries, it urged the secretariat to enhance in the priority areas identified by members and associate technical assistance and other types of support in the

15 area of poverty reduction, including national capacity- synchronize poverty reduction efforts in rural and urban building training and exchange of best practices. In that areas, because of rural-urban migration and the regard, it welcomed the proposed focus on information- urbanization of poverty. sharing and best practices as a strategy for poverty reduction. 155. The Commission stressed the importance of human security within the framework of poverty 151. The Commission appreciated the publication of reduction and development based on the empowerment the report Promoting the Millennium Development of individuals. Human security focused on the Goals in Asia and the Pacific: Meeting the Challenges strengthening of human-centred efforts to protect the of Poverty Reduction, jointly prepared by ESCAP and lives, livelihoods and dignity of individual human UNDP. While the target of poverty reduction was likely beings and realize the abundant potential inherent in to be achieved at the regional level, several individual each individual through their empowerment. The goal countries might not reach it. The findings of the report of the concept of human security was to create and should be widely disseminated to generate further sustain societies that enabled individual human beings political commitment and mobilization of additional to realize their full potential. resources for achieving the Goals. As many stakeholders were involved in achieving them, there was 156. The Commission underlined the importance of a need for greater coordination, including among indicators in illuminating policy matters with regard to various United Nations bodies and agencies. Moreover, poverty. It noted that the effectiveness and efficiency of it was important that the reporting system on the poverty alleviation programmes were heavily dependent achievement of the Goals should not place an additional on the availability of indicators for their evaluation. burden on the countries. 157. The Commission noted the importance of 152. The Commission agreed that poverty should be capacity-building activities in support of improved tackled through the enhancement of agricultural poverty statistics and greater harmonization of productivity, health care, educational standards, measurement methodologies, including the provision of affordable access to information, communication and advisory services. It recommended the sharing of good space technology, advancement of the status of women practices on poverty statistics and urged the secretariat and weaker sections of society and promotion of wider to contribute to the preparation of a handbook on political participation. concepts, methods and practices in poverty statistics being developed by the United Nations Statistics 153. Noting the linkages between poverty and the Division. Such a handbook could be an important environment, the Commission requested the secretariat reference for developing countries in conducting to propose poverty reduction programmes and poverty- household surveys and throw light on such issues as focused activities at the request of member countries, survey instruments and the frequency and content of focusing on the link between ecological degradation and surveys. It was also suggested that ESCAP should increased poverty, and to assist countries on request in support the establishment of an expert group or network promoting sustainable development practices. In that of institutions involved with poverty statistics at both regard, it supported the advancement of the international the national and subregional levels, in order to provide a development goals, recognizing that the implementation consultative forum on poverty measurement. of the Monterrey Consensus and the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development agreement 158. The Commission shared the view of the was crucial. It encouraged the secretariat to propose Committee on Statistics that the heightened global, programmes to assist the member countries on request regional and national interest in monitoring the in implementing those landmark agreements. achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium 154. The Commission urged member countries Declaration, had created a major opportunity for to promote local government coordination and statistical capacity-building. It expressed the wish that collaboration, improve urban governance, implement such monitoring systems should be tuned so that they municipal reforms and build municipal capacity, forge placed a minimal additional reporting burden on partnerships with community groups, civil society national statistical systems. and the private sector, strengthen the integrated development of metropolis, suburbs and periphery and 159. The Commission expressed the view that develop transport and communication infrastructure. It gender statistics, in particular sex-disaggregated heard reports on urban poverty reduction programmes statistics on issues such as literacy, employment, involving such items as slum improvement, economic activities and migration, were needed to microenterprise development, the provision of access promote gender equity and ensure successful for the urban poor to housing, housing finance and basic implementation of national poverty reduction strategies services, empowerment of the poor and people’s and programmes. It urged the secretariat to constantly participation in decision-making. It noted several give special attention to developing national capacities examples of good practices in urban poverty reduction in that respect. It noted that proper capture of the implemented by the member countries. With regard to economic activities of women was necessary to evaluate rural-urban linkages, it highlighted the need to women’s progress with regard to poverty.

16 160. The Commission noted the recommendations Managing globalization of the Committee on Statistics, as well as activities undertaken by countries, to improve disability statistics, 166. Under the theme of managing globalization, especially in relation to implementing the Biwako the Commission had before it various documents Millennium Framework for Action towards an reporting sectoral activities in the areas of trade and Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for investment, transport and tourism, environment and Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. sustainable development, and information, communication and space technology. 161. The Commission noted that many countries in 167. The Commission noted that, although the the region were still suffering from inadequate region had generally benefited from globalization, the economic statistics, resulting in an inability to calculate beneficial impact had been uneven as it varied basic data on such subjects as capital stocks. The according to the levels of development of the countries. secretariat was requested to provide assistance in that It therefore underscored the need for concerted efforts regard. The Commission discussed the holding of and cooperation among countries at different levels of further technical meetings designed to provide an input development. It acknowledged the need to create a into the 2007 revision of the International Standard conducive environment for regional cooperation that Industrial Classification. could give a positive spin to the forces of globalization to promote economic and social development in the 162. The Commission took note of the efforts of the region. Committee on Statistics to improve measures of economic activity, including measurement of the 168. The Commission noted that the Committee on informal sector and the non-observed economy. In view Managing Globalization could make a considerable of the role of the informal sector in many economies in input by assisting developing countries and countries the Asian and Pacific region, it was considered with economies in transition in responding adequately important that countries be informed of new data to the challenges of globalization. The Commission collection techniques and methods to capture and considered it necessary that there be a good balance estimate the full production of the non-observed between sectoral and intersectoral issues in the activities economy. The Commission therefore welcomed of the Committee. It further noted the importance of the ESCAP’s plans to host a meeting, together with OECD, main objectives of the Committee’s work: analysing where the relevance of those techniques for developing emerging global and regional economic problems, countries and economies in transition could be undertaking measures on implementation at the regional demonstrated and where national statisticians could level of the decisions of global forums and providing improve their methodological knowledge and exchange guidance to its sectoral subcommittees. experiences.

163. The Commission noted the progress made on Report of the Steering Group of the Committee preparations for the 2004 round of the International on Regional Economic Cooperation Comparison Programme (ICP), but expressed some on its fourteenth meeting concern about the adequacy of the funds to be provided by donor agencies. The view was expressed that ICP 169. The Commission had before it document results should be utilized for making regional rather E/ESCAP/1276. It endorsed the report and urged that than global comparisons. the recommendations contained therein be implemented. It requested the secretariat to continue its assistance in 164. The Commission confirmed that systematic capacity-building in the areas of trade and investment. and internationally comparable measurement of the In that regard, particular attention should be paid to information society and knowledge-based economy had sustained investment liberalization, strengthening of the become a priority in the region and requested ESCAP to legal framework, institutional capacity-building, provide assistance and capacity-building in that area of development of infrastructure for trade and investment, statistics. It noted the interest of some countries in human resources development and private sector cooperating with the secretariat in that regard. development, giving special attention to the development of SMEs and microenterprises. 165. The Commission noted the institutional arrangements for future statistical work in the region, Report of the Committee on Transport, which included the establishment of an apex forum of Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure official statisticians which could provide a regional Development on its fourth session input on a comprehensive range of topics to global discussions. It welcomed the focus of the new Progress in the implementation of resolutions Subcommittee on Statistics on the internationally agreed relating to the theme of managing globalization: development goals, including those contained in the resolution 51/8 on the implementation of the New Millennium Declaration, which would make a strong Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in positive contribution to the fight against poverty. Asia and the Pacific

17 170. The Commission had before it documents sector partnerships for the consideration of member E/ESCAP/1274 and E/ESCAP/1297. It endorsed the countries. recommendations contained in the report of the Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism 176. The Commission endorsed the plan of action and Infrastructure Development on its fourth session for phase VI of the Asian land transport infrastructure and noted the practical importance and relevance of development (ALTID) project (2004-2005) as adopted those recommendations. by the Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development at its fourth 171. The Commission stressed the vital importance session. It reiterated the importance of, and reaffirmed of transport as the basic pillar for overall development its support for, the ALTID project, particularly with of the economies of the region, especially for the regard to the planning and implementation of reduction of poverty and integration into the global and demonstration runs of container block trains along the regional economies. In particular, it emphasized that an Trans-Asian Railway Northern Corridor and the integrated international intermodal transport system development of Asia-Europe transport corridors. It also would contribute significantly to promoting efficient strongly supported the secretariat’s activities on the transport services and requested that the development of preparation of an Asian Highway agreement and that system be given high priority in the secretariat’s highlighted the importance of the joint programme of programme of work. work between ECE and ESCAP.

172. The Commission noted that in the least 177. The Commission noted the progress made in developed, landlocked and island developing countries the development of an intergovernmental agreement on and the economies in transition, special problems the Asian Highway network and the organization of existed which intensified the difficulties in providing three subregional seminars on the agreement in adequate and efficient transport infrastructure. It urged preparation for the related intergovernmental meeting the secretariat to continue to devote specific attention to scheduled for November 2003. It further noted that addressing the special problems of those countries in its such an agreement would play a catalytic role in the programme of work and thereby assist them in coordinated development of international highways in enhancing access to markets and social opportunities. the region, as well as between Asia and Europe. It expressed the hope that the agreement could be 173. With respect to its resolution 51/8 of 1 May concluded at the intergovernmental meeting. 1995 on the implementation of the New Delhi Action Plan on Infrastructure Development in Asia and 178. The Commission appreciated the continuous the Pacific, the Commission reiterated its strong support of the Government of Japan for the Asian commitment to and support for the Seoul Declaration on Highway in terms of financing and expert inputs. It Infrastructure Development in Asia and the Pacific, noted the statement by that Government with respect including phase II of the Regional Action Programme to the suggestion made concerning the draft (2002-2006) of the New Delhi Action Plan. It intergovernmental agreement on the Asian Highway expressed appreciation to the secretariat for the network during the Subregional Seminar on the activities undertaken so far to strengthen the capacity of Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway member countries to develop and operationalize an Network for North-East Asian countries, held at integrated transport network in order to support Ulaanbaatar on 21 and 22 August 2003. mobility, trade and tourism through the completion of the missing links and upgrading of the Asian Highway 179. The Commission noted that bilateral and the Trans-Asian Railway and improve shipping and discussions among neighbouring countries facilitated intermodal connections, including ports, taking into the implementation of regional agreements and also account the economic, social, environmental and noted the offer of the Government of India to host the safety impacts of transport on society. subregional seminar on an intergovernmental agreement on the Asian Highway network at New Delhi for the 174. The Commission stressed the necessity of SAARC subregion. project selection based on the needs of the countries and priorities in the region as well as the necessity of 180. The Commission noted the statement by following concrete results-based approaches; it Malaysia with respect to the ongoing negotiations with underlined the importance of the commitment and Singapore to resolve the issues of route alignment and active participation of members for the successful numbering of the Asian Highway routes connecting the implementation of the Regional Action Programme. two countries.

175. The Commission recognized the important role 181. The Commission requested the secretariat to that private sector investment increasingly played in the take action to update the route alignment of the Trans- development of transport infrastructure. It requested the Asian Railway, including the Southern Corridor, prior secretariat to undertake a study on practical approaches to the establishment of a Trans-Asian Railway Working to promote private sector investment in infrastructure Group. The Commission expressed support for the development and prepare models of funding organization of meetings of chief executives of railways infrastructure development in the framework of private of the ESCAP region.

18 182. The Commission noted that two ESCAP Institutes in Tourism (APETIT) continued to expand projects focusing on the North-East Asian subregion, and that currently 163 education and training institutes namely, the development of an integrated shipping and and national tourism organizations in 37 countries and port system in the North-East Asian subregion and an areas were participating in its activities. It noted with integrated international transport and logistics system appreciation the offer of India to assist APETIT member for North-East Asia, could serve as best practices to be institutes in training trainers and its preparedness to replicated in other subregions. consider offering training programmes on tourism promotion for members upon specific request. It noted 183. The Commission noted that only a few with interest that Malaysia had established a national countries in the region could provide up-to-date tourism human resources council, which had formulated logistics services and requested the secretariat to a competitive standard for tourism training and national undertake a study on the best practices in that area and occupational skills standards for the maintenance of disseminate the information concerned. quality services in the tourism industry. 184. The Commission noted that the development of 191. The Commission noted the suggestion that the transport corridors, such as the Singapore-Kunming rail link project, would improve and encourage the initiatives of the secretariat include activities related to development of international trade, transit transport and the promotion of tourism in the Mekong-Ganga subregion and the promotion of Buddhist tourism tourism. circuits. 185. The Commission noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran was implementing a number of projects Report of the Committee on Environment and aimed at providing better, cheaper and faster transit Natural Resources Development conditions for the countries of the region. That country on its fourth session had also taken measures to harmonize transport standards and had signed international conventions Progress in the implementation of resolutions and bilateral agreements relating to transport relating to the theme of managing globalization: facilitation. resolutions 57/2 on the Ministerial Conference on 186. The Commission noted the request that the Environment and Development in Asia and the secretariat include programmes related to the Pacific, 2000, and 58/3 on the World Summit on development of inland water transport in its programme Sustainable Development of work, with a focus on energy efficiency, safety, environmental friendliness and the development of Report on the regional follow-up to the policy frameworks for a shift in favour of inland water Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World transport through marketing. Summit on Sustainable Development

187. The Commission strongly supported the Plan 192. The Commission had before it documents of Action for Sustainable Tourism Development in the E/ESCAP/1275, containing the report of the Committee Asian and Pacific Region and reaffirmed its on Environment and Natural Resources Development on commitment to the implementation of the Plan. It was its fourth session, E/ESCAP/1297 on progress in the pleased to note that, under the Plan, a series of implementation of resolutions relating to the theme of capacity-building seminars related to the sustainable managing globalization and E/ESCAP/1302 on regional development of tourism had been held or planned, follow-up to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation including national seminars for Cambodia in June 2003, of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Mongolia in September 2003, Kyrgyzstan in November 2003 and Azerbaijan in 2004. 193. The Commission noted with appreciation that the Committee had deliberated on the preliminary 188. The Commission noted with satisfaction that analysis of the follow-up to the World Summit on the Seminar on Poverty Alleviation through Sustainable Sustainable Development and had focused on the Tourism Development, held at Kathmandu in August implementation of the outcome of the Summit at the 2003, had provided a useful forum at which to discuss regional and subregional levels. It noted that the report specific measures to alleviate poverty through tourism. of the Committee contained a wide range of highly It requested the secretariat to further strengthen relevant issues; it endorsed the report, including its activities to enhance the contribution of tourism to conclusions and recommendations. poverty alleviation. 189. The Commission noted with appreciation that 194. The Commission supported the secretariat’s the Seminar on Crisis Management in Tourism would programmes in capacity-building in strategic planning be held at Lombok, Indonesia, on 11 and 12 September and management for integrated water resources 2003. It urged members to participate in that important management to meet the targets of the Millennium seminar. Development Goals and called for a holistic approach with public participation, transfer of technology and 190. The Commission was pleased to note that the exchange of information to create sustainable water Network of Asia-Pacific Education and Training policies and practices.

19 195. The Commission encouraged the secretariat to Government of Japan in promoting the implementation continue to promote public awareness of water of the Kitakyushu Initiative in the region. conservation, water-use efficiency, groundwater contamination, public participation in water 202. The Commission expressed appreciation of the management and sanitation issues, and to increase activities that the secretariat was undertaking to promote cooperation with member countries and subregional subregional cooperation in the implementation of organizations to implement and expand those activities the North-East Asian Subregional Programme on to commemorate the International Year of Freshwater Environmental Cooperation. It commended the ongoing 2003. efforts in implementing the project on the control of dust and sandstorms in the subregion. 196. The Commission called upon the secretariat to continue to provide assistance to ESCAP members, at 203. The Commission was informed about the their request, in assessing their water resources and in World Climate Change Conference, to be held at monitoring the freshwater situation by applying the Moscow from 29 September to 3 October 2003, and tools developed in the first World Water Development encouraged countries in the region to participate Report, as follow-up to the Third World Water Forum actively in the Conference. and the successful achievements of the United Nations, 204. The Commission noted that the outcome of the especially the World Water Assessment Programme. World Summit on Sustainable Development signified a 197. The Commission noted the strong linkage new global commitment to sustainable development. between the achievements in combating natural The Commission on Sustainable Development had disasters and poverty alleviation and encouraged the rightly emphasized the role of the regional commissions secretariat to strengthen regional and subregional in the implementation of the Plan of Implementation. It disaster management through the exchange of was therefore recommended that ESCAP play a information, community participation, exchange of substantive role in the implementation of the Plan, experiences and transfer of technology. It called upon including the organization of regional forums, in close the secretariat to increase cooperation in programmes collaboration with other United Nations organizations and activities in the area of the Caspian Sea. such as UNDP and UNEP, as well as the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 198. The Commission extended its support to the secretariat’s initiative in implementing relevant 205. The Commission recognized that the seven activities towards increased utilization of renewable regional initiatives in the Phnom Penh Regional energy, energy efficiency and subregional energy Platform on Sustainable Development for Asia and the cooperation as follow-up to the outcome of the World Pacific captured regional priorities and concerns and Summit on Sustainable Development. It noted with were clearly and strongly echoed in the outcome of the interest the efforts undertaken by several countries in World Summit on Sustainable Development. It decided assigning high priority to the development of renewable to implement programmes in conformity with the energy resources. It noted with appreciation the offer of decisions contained in the Johannesburg Plan of India to share its training facilities with, and support Implementation and those of the Commission on demonstration projects in, other developing countries. Sustainable Development at its eleventh session. 199. The Commission supported the capacity- 206. The Commission urged the secretariat to building efforts of the secretariat for sustainable mobilize additional resources to translate the outcome development through training workshops, advisory of the World Summit on Sustainable Development into services, expert meetings and exchange of best concrete action and full implementation. It recognized practices. It stressed that such efforts should be the need for the active participation of major continued. stakeholders in the implementation of the Plan, while acknowledging the primary role of Governments. It 200. The Commission appreciated the initiative of endorsed the initiative to organize a regional senior the secretariat in promoting subregional energy officials forum to undertake a comprehensive review of cooperation in North-East Asia. Noting the successful the implementation of the Plan in the region. outcome of the Meeting of Senior Officials on Energy Cooperation in North-East Asia, held at Vladivostok, 207. The Commission supported the plan for a Russian Federation, in April 2003, it requested the regional meeting in October 2003 to review the secretariat to continue to support the process in order to implementation of the Plan in relation to the first cluster realize the potential for energy development in the areas of water, sanitation and human settlements and subregion. develop a regional report for the Commission on Sustainable Development at its twelfth session. 201. The Commission commended the progress made so far in the implementation of the Kitakyushu 208. While welcoming “Type II” partnership Initiative for a Clean Environment, especially on the initiatives as a means of implementing the Plan, the development of pilot projects and case studies in Commission noted that those initiatives should not be a member countries. It noted with appreciation the substitute for, but should supplement, the commitments financial support and partnership efforts of the made.

20 Regional developments and issues commensurate with the stage of development of ESCAP members and associate members. 209. The Commission had before it a synthesis 216. The Commission noted that almost half of its document (E/ESCAP/1273) presenting national and members and associate members had yet to become regional developments and focusing on selected cross- WTO members. It requested the secretariat, through its cutting issues in the fields of trade and investment, network of acceding countries, to study the experiences environment and sustainable development, information, of countries that had recently acceded to WTO and communication and space technology, and transport and share those experiences with countries in the process of tourism in addressing the challenges of globalization. accession. 210. The Commission underscored the relevance of 217. The Commission noted that new and adopting an integrated approach in addressing cross- prospective members of WTO, particularly the least cutting issues as listed in the document. It recognized developed countries and countries with economies in the complexity in the linkages of such issues and transition, were making extensive commitments as part therefore the need to strengthen technical assistance of their WTO accession process. It requested the activities to enhance national capacities to address such secretariat to extend technical assistance and advisory issues effectively at the national and international levels. services in that process and in the implementation of WTO commitments. Trade and investment 218. The Commission stressed the importance of improved market access as a major tool for poverty 211. The Commission stressed that a universal, alleviation and development. The reduction of trade- open, predictable and non-discriminatory multilateral distorting subsidies, tariff peaks and tariff escalation on trading system was a crucial component in managing export products of interest to developing countries was a globalization. The system should be shaped so as to major area in which the Doha-mandated negotiations ensure that it became a positive force for development should achieve development-friendly results. The and that all countries could secure a fair share in the Commission cautioned that gains in market access growth of world trade commensurate with their should not be nullified by the imposition of trade- economic needs. restrictive non-tariff measures. It noted with concern the high prevalence of anti-dumping measures imposed 212. The Commission noted that its subprogramme on exports from the region and requested the secretariat, on trade and investment was a priority area; it stressed in collaboration with other international organizations, the need for the effective implementation of resolution to provide the necessary technical assistance. 57/5 of 25 April 2001 on the integration of Asian and Pacific developing countries and economies in transition 219. The Commission requested that the secretariat into the international trading system. undertake an in-depth assessment of the proliferation of regional and bilateral trade agreements and their 213. The Commission requested the secretariat to contribution to regional economic development and continue to accord high priority to its capacity-building enhanced trade and investment flows in a manner that programme on WTO trade negotiations, not only in the was supportive of the multilateral trading system. implementation of various WTO commitments, but also to strengthen the capacity of member countries to draw 220. The Commission noted that trade facilitation benefits from an open, rules-based multilateral trading had a significant impact in increasing international trade system. flows and trade efficiency. The importance of providing technical assistance for capacity-building in 214. The Commission noted that the Doha the area of trade facilitation, in particular to support Ministerial Declaration placed the needs and interests of developing countries in their accession to WTO and developing countries at the heart of the work ongoing WTO discussions on trade facilitation, was programme, but cautioned that with the approaching emphasized in view of the limited capacity and diverse Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference, to be held at stages of development, especially infrastructure and Cancún, Mexico, from 10 to 14 September 2003, the capacity development, in the developing countries of the real issue was how the Doha outcome would be carried ESCAP region. forward with concrete development results. It stressed that implementation issues of concern to developing 221. The Commission stressed that in addition to countries should be addressed so as to generate more gaining meaningful market access, developing countries inclusive participation by those countries in the needed assistance in strengthening their supply-side multilateral trading system and a more equitable capacity so that they could make effective use of the distribution of the benefits of trade. improved market access expected from trade liberalization. 215. The Commission noted that as the Doha- mandated negotiations approached their mid-point 222. The Commission noted the importance of mark, the multilateral trading system should uphold the private sector participation in trade and investment and principle of fairness in trade, particularly with regard to urged the secretariat to strengthen the SME sector in its the implementation of special and differential treatment programme of work, which included issues such as

21 microfinancing, export competitiveness, the application expanded educational and health-care opportunities and of IT and e-commerce, the implications of WTO improved the quality of life. A number of countries had agreements for the business sector of the region, enjoyed major enhancements in productivity and comparative studies on best practices for SME competitiveness in their economic and industrial development and forging linkages between transnational sectors, in particular, SMEs, through the effective use corporations and SMEs. and diffusion of ICT. 228. The Commission stressed the need for the Trade and transport facilitation creation of favourable policy and regulatory frameworks conducive to the adoption and diffusion of ICT, citing 223. The Commission noted that trade investment digital literacy or e-learning initiatives, competent and transport facilitation were critical issues that should human resources and the creation of the requisite be considered by the Committee on Managing infrastructure. It was noted that enhancing literacy was Globalization. In addition, it considered that the linkage a major challenge to be addressed for equitable access between ICT and transport was essential for the and use of ICT in developing countries. In that respect, development of modern transport infrastructure, e-learning initiatives should incorporate new ways of particularly for the Trans-Asian Railway and the Asian learning and promote satellite and web-based distance Highway. education. While emphasizing the importance of Governments in promoting a favourable climate for ICT

awareness in the economy and wider society, the Trade, environment and development Commission emphasized the need to establish public-

private partnerships that would encourage innovative 224. The Commission requested the secretariat to programmes in human resources and infrastructure strengthen the capacities of developing member development, enhancement of rural teledensity, countries in international negotiations on trade and the development, research and technology transfer. The environment, especially in terms of the relationship secretariat was requested to identify and consolidate between the Convention on Biological Diversity and the best practices in such partnerships, particularly in relevant provisions of the WTO Agreement on Trade- relation to infrastructure development, and to seek the related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. assistance of Governments interested in that endeavour. 225. The Commission recognized that trade and 229. The Commission noted that affordability was environmental protection could be mutually supportive also a critical issue in ensuring a higher level of and that trade could contribute to development and penetration of ICT, particularly the Internet. While hence generate the resources needed to implement lowering the cost of telecommunication services could environmental measures. contribute significantly to promoting wider use of the 226. The Commission emphasized that measures Internet, it was also important that software be made taken to safeguard the environment should not be more affordable to people in developing member discriminatory or used as a disguised form of protection. countries. One way of doing that was to promote the Trade restrictions were not a solution to environmental development and utilization of open-source software, problems. Instead, international cooperation, transfer of which was cheaper and not encumbered by patents and technology and technical assistance were better means other restrictions imposed by producers of current of dealing with global environmental problems. software. 230. While its members had the primary responsibility for ICT development, the Commission Role of ICT felt that ESCAP could play a leading role in promoting regional cooperation in ICT, including in sharing Progress in the implementation of resolutions experiences and best practices, establishing regional relating to the theme of managing globalization: networks, human resources development, coordinating resolutions 56/3 on regional cooperation on space the regional preparations for the World Summit on the applications for sustainable development in Asia and Information Society and following up on the outcome of the Pacific and 57/4 on regional cooperation in the World Summit on Sustainable Development. information and communication technologies for Furthermore, in noting the cross-cutting nature of ICT, development the Commission felt that the secretariat could deal with such multidisciplinary issues as transport and ICT, and 227. The Commission expressed the view that since trade promotion and ICT; in particular, the secretariat ICT was a major driving force of globalization, it had a could explore the possibility of using the Trans-Asian significant effect as well in assisting developing Railway and the Asian Highway projects for ICT countries in managing the impact of globalization, by infrastructure development. accelerating the development of member countries and increasing the competitiveness of their economies 231. The Commission welcomed the establishment because of its tremendous economic and social of the Information, Communication and Space implications. It had also brought significant changes to Technology Division in the ESCAP secretariat and markets, production, services and skills requirements, recognized its usefulness for building the requisite

22 capacities and competencies of developing member conference on space applications for sustainable States in their adoption, use and development of ICT. It development in Asia and the Pacific and consider noted with appreciation the activities implemented by concrete steps towards an institutional framework for the secretariat in cooperation with members, such as co- regional space applications and development. organization of the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference for the World Summit on the Information Society, held Sustainable production and consumption at Tokyo in January 2003; the Asia-Pacific Conference on Cybercrime and Information Security, held at Seoul 235. The Commission noted with appreciation the in November 2002; and the Expert Group Meeting on a effort of the Government of Indonesia in organizing the Regional Road Map towards the Information Society in Asia-Pacific Expert Meeting on Promoting Sustainable Asia and the Pacific, the Expert Group Meeting on Production and Consumption Patterns, at Yogyakarta, Poverty Mapping and Monitoring Using Information Indonesia, from 21 to 23 May 2003, which had Technology and the Expert Group Meeting on the Use identified priorities for regional and subregional of Space Technology for Poverty Alleviation, held at frameworks and initiatives. Bangkok in August 2003. It noted with appreciation the generous assistance provided by the Governments of 236. The Commission also noted that an Japan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand in hosting international expert group meeting organized by the ESCAP activities related to ICT aimed at narrowing the Department of Economic and Social Affairs at digital divide in the region. Marrakech, Morocco, in June 2003 had adopted a 10- year framework of programmes for sustainable 232. The Commission appreciated the progress production and consumption patterns. It further noted made in the implementation of resolutions 56/3 of 7 the proposal to link the regional process to the ESCAP June 2000 on regional cooperation on space applications legislative process on a continuous basis up to and for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific and beyond the 2010 session of the Commission on 57/4 of 25 April 2001 on regional cooperation in Sustainable Development. information and communication technologies for development. It also appreciated ESCAP efforts in Report on the Asian and Pacific Centre for addressing core issues of common concern, such as Agricultural Engineering and Machinery disaster management using space technology applications. The Commission recommended that Progress in the implementation of resolutions regional cooperative mechanisms be institutionalized to relating to the theme of managing globalization: facilitate equitable sharing of the benefits of space resolution 58/5 on the establishment of the Asian and technology development and applications by all Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and countries in the region, in particular in various fields of Machinery space technology applications for disaster management. Noting the importance of applications of space 237. The Commission had before it documents technology for sustainable development, it also E/ESCAP/1277/Rev.1 and E/ESCAP/1297. recommended that the secretariat, when continuing to facilitate the exchange of information and know-how 238. The Commission noted the progress made in on space technology applications for sustainable the negotiations between the Government of China and development, should focus particularly on developing the ESCAP secretariat on the host country headquarters joint projects with practical outputs. agreement; the Centre was expected to start its operations at Beijing shortly. The Commission 233. The Commission noted with appreciation the reiterated its appreciation of the generous financial continued support of China, France and India to the support and host facilities provided by the Government ESCAP regional cooperation programme in space of China. It also expressed appreciation to the technology applications for natural disaster management Government of Finland for its generous financial and sustainable development, as well as the offer of the support. Russian Federation to share its expertise in the field of satellite communications, navigation and remote sensing 239. The Commission requested that the Centre for sustainable development. It also appreciated the immediately develop a medium- to long-term road map offer of Malaysia to support capacity-building and by prioritizing its work programme. It noted with training activities in remote sensing and satellite satisfaction that the three major areas, exchange of technology development and that of the Islamic information on agro-mechanization and processing, Republic of Iran to share its experience in geomatics prototype exchange and transfer of technology, and with other members of ESCAP. It recognized the need promotion of research and development in agro-processing and interest of member countries to cooperate in the and agro-based industries, were in line with the priority field of space technology applications at the needs of the developing countries. It recommended that subregional, regional and international levels. activities in the areas of agro-electronics, rural energy and other poverty alleviation activities also be accorded 234. The Commission recommended that the priority, with a view to making APCAEM a centre of secretariat initiate preparations for the third ministerial excellence, as stipulated in its Statute.

23 240. The Commission recommended that the Centre at all levels. It further indicated that a pro-poor be involved in the dissemination of information on macroeconomic model should be accompanied by a successful technologies for promoting the involvement people-centred development approach and be based on of rural women in agro-processing activities, which good governance within each country and at the would provide further employment and income international level. It noted that for poverty eradication generation in rural areas. to be successful, gender equality needed to be achieved. Furthermore, it pointed to the need for integrating 241. The Commission emphasized that the Centre economic efficiency with broader social objectives and should strengthen its activities in the areas of farm considerations. machinery and agro-engineering, which were beneficial to the rural poor. It felt that the Centre, while 246. Several delegations reaffirmed their strengthening its activities aimed at assisting small Governments’ support for the Programme of Action of farmers in alleviating poverty, should also engage in the International Conference on Population and new and emerging technologies, especially in the field Development, adopted at Cairo in 1994, and stressed the of biotechnology. importance of reproductive health and reproductive 242. The Commission urged the Centre to mobilize rights in order to improve maternal health and child additional resources for programme activities, with a survival. The Commission noted that such issues as view to making itself self-supporting in the future. migration and population ageing needed to be addressed in overall population policies. 243. The Commission noted the secretariat’s proposal on the future work programme of the Centre, Rights-based approach to social development which was to be in line with the thematic areas of ESCAP. It also noted that initiatives had been taken for 247. The Commission concurred that a rights-based project formulation in the areas of (a) assisting members approach was an effective way to address such social of the Centre in validating their agricultural issues as the empowerment of women, persons living mechanization plans for national farming systems, (b) with HIV/AIDS, population ageing and equalization of establishing an agricultural, sanitary and phytosanitary opportunities for persons with disabilities. It called resource unit to support member countries in the upon the secretariat to assist members and associate market-access process, (c) promoting agro-technology- members in addressing emerging social issues by related SME incubation systems, (d) organizing a building capacity through training programmes, regional conference on agro-based enterprise technical assistance and the identification and development and agricultural biotechnology, (e) promotion of successful practices. It also requested the integrating rural disabled persons into sustainable social secretariat to review the implementation of regional development by providing better agricultural tools and programmes of action endorsed by the Commission. (f) establishing a network for used farm machinery The Commission adopted resolution 59/2 on exchange to improve self-sufficiency in agricultural strengthening social safety in the Asian and Pacific production. region.

Emerging social issues 248. The Commission stressed the importance of gender mainstreaming in education. Barriers to

women’s and girls’ access to education needed to be 244. The Commission had before it documents eliminated to promote gender equality. Several E/ESCAP/1271 and Corr. 1 and E/ESCAP/1279-1281, delegations expressed their countries’ commitment to relating to emerging social issues. It commended the reducing the gender gap in education. secretariat on the quality and thoroughness of the documents. 249. The Commission called for increasing women’s access to paid employment and eliminating Report of the Fifth Asian and Pacific barriers to women in the workplace. It emphasized the Population Conference importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment through access to employment, land and 245. The Commission endorsed the report of the property ownership and productive resources. It called Conference as contained in document E/ESCAP/1271 for the strengthening of social protection and social and Corr. 1. It noted that the eradication of poverty security schemes and improvement of their coverage for required economic growth, social development and women. environmental sustainability. It stressed that demographic and population factors should be fully integrated into 250. The Commission stressed the importance of national, sectoral and local planning. The Commission women’s equal participation in decision-making. It noted that, while much progress had been made in the emphasized that increased representation of women in region in population programmes, many poorer groups government, including local government, should be still lacked adequate health services, including given high priority in order to promote gender equality. reproductive health care. It recommended that efforts to It commended the efforts made by members to provide access to basic needs and services be encourage greater representation of women in the strengthened and integrated into the planning process political arena. In particular, it expressed support for

24 the continuing implementation of the Phitsanulok document E/ESCAP/1281. It supported a rights-based Declaration on the Advancement of Women in Local approach to the social integration of persons with Government adopted by the Asia-Pacific Summit of disabilities, as specified in the Biwako Millennium Women Mayors and Councillors, held at Phitsanulok, Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier- Thailand, from 19 to 22 June 2001. free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, which had been 251. The Commission emphasized the importance adopted at the Meeting. of addressing all emerging social issues in an integrated manner, keeping in mind that poverty constituted an 256. The Commission stressed the importance of important backdrop to all interlinked social issues, education, training and employment in order to equalize including health-related issues. It stressed the opportunities for persons with disabilities. It also called importance of improving access to essential health for increased attention to be given to the prevention of services. In particular, it identified women, young disability and for strengthened programmes of people and the rural population, especially those who community-based rehabilitation. It noted that non- were marginalized, as the population groups that governmental organizations and other civil society merited the special attention of Governments in their organizations had an important role to play in promoting efforts to improve the health systems and health service the full participation of people with disabilities. The provision in their countries. Commission urged the secretariat to continue its efforts to assist members and associate members in 252. The Commission noted with concern the implementing the Biwako Millennium Framework. spread of HIV/AIDS, trafficking in women and children, and sexual abuse and sexual exploitation 257. The Commission adopted resolution 59/3 on among children and youth in the region. It stressed the regional implementation of the Biwako Millennium importance of national legislation and international and Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier- regional cooperation in tackling those issues and called free and Rights-based Society for Persons with upon the secretariat to play an effective role. The Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific during the Decade of necessity of education in the field of reproductive and Disabled Persons, 2003-2012. sexual health was underscored. The Commission recognized with appreciation the secretariat’s programme to protect the rights of children and youth Least developed, landlocked and island through its programme to combat sexual abuse and developing countries sexual exploitation. 258. The Commission had before it the report of the Shanghai Implementation Strategy Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries on its sixth session 253. The Commission endorsed the Shanghai (E/ESCAP/1303 and Corr.1) and heard an oral report on Regional Implementation Strategy for the Madrid the secretariat’s activities relevant to the island International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002 and the developing countries. It noted with satisfaction the Macao Plan of Action on Ageing for Asia and the substantive outcome of the sixth session of the Special Pacific 1999, as contained in document E/ESCAP/1280. Body and generally agreed with the recommendations It called for cooperation among government agencies, contained in the report on transit transport issues in non-governmental organizations and the private sector landlocked and transit developing countries and the in addressing the issues of population ageing. The implications of the post-Doha trade agenda for the structural effects of ageing needed to be integrated into integration of the least developed countries into the national policies on poverty reduction, health and social global economic system, while recognizing that the protection. The Commission stressed that policies on Asian Action Plan on Transit Transport Cooperation ageing needed to incorporate support for the financial was a regional input for the International Ministerial security, health-care, nutrition, shelter, training and Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing information needs of older persons. Countries and Donor Countries and International 254. The Commission emphasized that gender Financial and Development Institutions on Transit aspects of population ageing needed to be taken into Transport Cooperation, held at Almaty on 28 and 29 account since the number of women often exceeded that August 2003, and that further action on that subject of men at older ages. The types of diseases and would be in accordance with the Almaty Programme of impairments among older persons differed by gender, as Action: Addressing the Special Needs of Landlocked did the types of care and support required. Developing Countries within a New Global Framework for Transit Transport Cooperation for Landlocked and Report of the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting Transit Developing Countries. The Commission further to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of noted that the primary responsibility for establishing Disabled Persons, 1993-2002 efficient transit systems lay with the landlocked and transit developing countries on a bilateral basis. 255. The Commission took note of the report of the 259. The Commission noted that the International High-level Intergovernmental Meeting, as contained in Ministerial Conference had reaffirmed the commitment

25 of the international community to work together to 266. The Director of the Centre reported that its overcome the challenges faced by landlocked and transit General Council had met three times in 2002 to developing countries. It urged all stakeholders to deliberate on the report of an independent study team on implement the Almaty Programme of Action adopted by the regional role of the Centre. Despite a very the Conference. favourable report, a resolution had been adopted to dissolve the Centre. 260. The Commission urged all members to support the draft resolution circulated by the Government of 267. The Director further reported that, despite the Bangladesh on the implementation of the Programme of uncertainties and the limited resources available, the Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Centre had continued to implement programmes and Decade 2001-2010 during the current session of the projects for its members. A total of 18 programmes had Commission. It adopted resolution 59/4 on the been completed in 2002, including a regional summit on implementation of the Programme of Action. microfinance policy and governance, held at Bangkok in 261. The mid-term review of the implementation of March 2002, in partnership with ESCAP, the Asian and the Programme of Action was expected to be conducted Pacific Regional Agricultural Credit Association and in 2005. The Commission therefore decided that the the Association of the Asian Confederation of Credit regional review of the implementation of the Unions; an international trade fair-cum-conference on Programme of Action should be undertaken at the globalization and SME development at Kuala Lumpur seventh session of the Special Body early in 2005. in June 2002; and a conference, “Towards Asia and Pacific renaissance: recovery, regional cooperation and 262. The Commission expressed appreciation of the the public sector”, held in Kedah, Malaysia, in ongoing assistance to the least developed, landlocked September-October 2002. and island developing countries provided by some member countries, including neighbouring transit and 268. The Director also reported that 2002 had been island developing countries. another difficult year financially, with contributions from members having declined further to US$ 478,000. 263. The Commission noted that since the However, International House income had increased by challenges facing island developing countries stemmed 67 per cent to US$ 270,000. from their natural characteristics, communication and transport, as well as access to basic services and inland 269. The Director expressed deep gratitude for the and offshore resources, needed to be improved. Noting continued support provided by member countries, that the common development challenges confronting notably the host country, Malaysia. those countries could be discussed in its various forums, 270. A number of representatives voiced their regret the Commission urged the secretariat to facilitate the at the possibility that the Centre would be closed later in sharing of experiences, lessons learned and best the year. practices among its member countries, and urged greater cooperation in formulating national strategies and policies for intersectoral activities at the central and Coordinating Committee for Geoscience regional levels. The Commission also urged greater use Programmes in East and of relevant regional centres and institutions to enhance Southeast Asia cooperation among island developing countries of the region. 271. The Commission had before it the report of the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in 264. In order to strengthen the capacity of officials East and Southeast Asia (CCOP), transmitted for to design and implement effective strategies to deal with information under a note by the secretariat emerging urban poverty issues in the Pacific island (E/ESCAP/1291/Rev.1). developing countries, the Commission agreed that the eighth session of the Special Body on Pacific Island 272. The Commission noted with appreciation that Developing Countries, which was scheduled to be CCOP, in accordance with its Strategic Plan, had held at Shanghai, China, in 2004, would consider devoted itself to promoting capacity-building, “Experiences and challenges in urban management technology transfer, exchange of information, issues in Pacific island countries” as its theme topic. institutional linkages for sustainable resource development, management of geoinformation, geohazard mitigation and protection of the environment. A total of 13 technical meetings/workshops aimed at Reports of regional intergovernmental bodies knowledge and technology transfer had been successfully attended by 417 participants from the Asian and Pacific Development Centre member countries. In the georesources sector, the final activity of the project on resource evaluation and 265. The Commission had before it a summary of planning, the Exploration Promotion Forum for CCOP the annual report of the Asian and Pacific Development Member Countries, with the support of the Government Centre for 2002, transmitted for information under a of Norway, had been completed and a new project on note by the secretariat (E/ESCAP/1290). petroleum policy and management was currently being

26 implemented. Seminars and workshops had been Lower Mekong Basin, the Commission noted MRC’s organized on deep-water exploration and field further efforts to implement the MRC Flood development, natural gas development, gas exploration, Management and Mitigation Strategy adopted in the production and utilization, interactive mapping previous year, with the approval of the Flood techniques for the construction of geological reservoirs Management and Mitigation Programme by the MRC and a geothermal resource database. The activities in Council in 2002. The Commission also took note of the geo-environment sector had focused on the important achievements in various other aspects of the implementation of the development of techniques for management of water and related resources in the landslide hazard analysis. The geo-information sector Mekong River Basin, such as fisheries, watershed had continued with activities related to the setting up of management, hydrology, navigation and capacity- the Southeast Asian Network for a Geological building programmes. Information System, the Geoscience Research Information Dissemination Network programme and a 277. The Commission noted that the support training programme on geodata management. extended to MRC by donors had remained strong in 2002 and that support for the Flood Management and 273. The Commission also noted the strong Mitigation Programme had increased. It also noted with commitment by the member countries and the enhanced satisfaction that the MRC dialogue with the upstream level of support of cooperating countries and riparian States, China and Myanmar, had achieved a organizations. It was also pleased to note the close significant step forward in 2002 with the signing of cooperation between CCOP and ESCAP in undertaking the Agreement on the Provision of Hydrological joint activities and information exchange. Information of the Lancang/Mekong River in Flood 274. The Commission noted with appreciation the Season with the Ministry of Water Resources of China assistance extended by Denmark, France, Japan, on 1 April 2002, to permit better water-level forecasts in Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the the Lower Mekong Basin. United States and other cooperating countries and organizations for CCOP activities. It noted with 278. The Commission was pleased to note that in appreciation the support of the Government of Thailand September 2002 the Brisbane River Symposium had through the Department of Mineral Resources in awarded MRC the Thiess Services International providing excellent facilities for the smooth operation of Riverprize, the first award to a river basin organization CCOP in Bangkok. comprising developing countries, to recognize MRC’s excellence in river basin management.

Mekong River Commission Typhoon Committee 275. The Commission had before it the report of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), transmitted for 279. The Commission had before it the report of the information under a note by the secretariat Typhoon Committee, transmitted for information (E/ESCAP/1292) and presented by a representative of under a note by the secretariat (E/ESCAP/1293), and the MRC Joint Committee. presented by a representative of the Committee.

276. The Commission noted with appreciation 280. The Commission noted with appreciation important achievements and progress by MRC in 2002 important achievements in 2002 in the meteorological in consolidating the comprehensive programmes component, including observations, forecasts and covering core, support and sector programmes by warnings of typhoons, in the hydrological component, adopting the programme approach to support the basin- including flood forecasts and warning, and on natural wide strategies of the member countries. Under the disaster reduction and related progress of work by the MRC core programme, the Commission noted the Committee and its members. It noted with appreciation following important achievements: (a) the second the important role played by the Regional Specialized milestone of the Water Utilization Programme had Meteorological Centre at Tokyo in cyclone-related early been reached when the MRC Council had approved warnings through its continued provision of numerical the Preliminary Procedures for Notification, Prior weather products to the Committee members. Consultation and Agreement in November 2002; (b) the Basin Development Plan Programme had been launched 281. The Commission noted the improvement in at Bangkok in February 2002 to ensure coordination of meteorological satellite facilities and observations made development activities in the Mekong Basin at the available by various Committee members for better national and regional levels; and (c) technical guidelines regional cooperation and the increase in the subregional and policy advice for a transboundary Environmental activities of the Committee in the fields of meteorology, Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental hydrology, training and research, and disaster Assessment System, including 7 training modules and prevention and preparedness, including an increase in 20 case studies, had been developed and translated into research and improvement of forecasts. It took the riparian languages, in May 2002, under the particular note of the decision by the Committee to Environment Programme. Regarding the complex flood adopt the strategic approach in the implementation problems, which affected many millions of people in the of the new Regional Cooperation Programme

27 Implementation Plan, which had been reformulated in decision to undertake priority activities recommended the previous year, to ensure effective achievement of the by the survey and the importance attached by the Panel priority objectives of the Committee. The Commission to capacity-building in all components of its work was pleased to note several concrete results of the programme. implementation of priority follow-up activities 286. It noted the support provided by the ESCAP recommended by the 2001 comprehensive review of the secretariat for various activities of the Panel, especially hydrological component and of disaster prevention and those related to the hydrological and disaster preparedness, such as flood hazard mapping and flash preparedness components of its work, and the flood and sediment disaster warning, by most of the continuing valuable contribution of WMO to the work Committee members in cooperation with ESCAP, of the Panel over the years. WMO, the Typhoon Committee Secretariat (TCS) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport 287. The Commission expressed appreciation to the of Japan. The Commission also took note of the Government of Pakistan for organizing the thirtieth contribution of the Committee’s activities in enhancing session of the Panel at Islamabad in March 2003 and for public awareness on typhoon-related disasters through the support provided to the Panel in hosting the its active participation in the Flood Day during the Technical Support Unit and providing the services of a Third World Water Forum, held at Kyoto, Japan, in coordinator and a meteorologist. It noted with March 2003. The Commission noted the continued appreciation the valuable contribution of India to the support provided by ESCAP to various activities of the work of the Panel and its continuous support, especially Committee members and the valuable contribution of the forecasting services of the Regional Specialized WMO to the work of the Typhoon Committee since its Meteorological Centre at New Delhi. The Commission establishment. urged donor countries and institutions to provide support to the work of the Panel and directed the 282. The Commission expressed gratitude to the ESCAP secretariat to continue to provide the Panel with Government of Thailand for hosting the thirty-fifth substantive support within the framework of its own session of the Committee at Chiang Mai in November programme of work. 2002 and to the Government of the Philippines for its continued hosting of TCS, and for providing a full-time Ministerial Round Table meteorologist and support staff and the continued

services of the Coordinator of TCS. It also expressed HIV/AIDS appreciation to the Government of Japan for the continued services of the Regional Specialized 288. The Ministerial Round Table on HIV/AIDS Meteorological Centre and the continued support was divided into two parts. In the first part, the provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Executive Secretary delivered a multimedia presentation Transport of Japan. on the theme topic on integrating economic and social concerns, especially HIV/AIDS, in meeting the needs of Panel on Tropical Cyclones the region, followed by statements by H.E. Mr. Festus Gontebanye Mogae, President of Botswana, and Dr. 283. The Commission had before it the report of the Nafis Sadik, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Panel on Tropical Cyclones, transmitted under a note by HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific. The second part the secretariat (E/ESCAP/1294), which was introduced comprised an interactive session. by a representative of the Panel. 284. The Commission noted with appreciation the Executive Secretary important achievements of the Panel in 2002 and its 289. The Executive Secretary’s multimedia contribution to disaster reduction and preparedness presentation focused on the need for immediate action measures through monitoring, forecasting and to tackle HIV/AIDS as a development challenge. The disseminating information on tropical cyclones and key messages of the presentation included the hydrological hazards and the excellent cooperation following: among its members in those activities. It expressed particular appreciation of the improvement in (a) HIV/AIDS threatened to undo the monitoring facilities and data exchange among several region’s achievements of the previous 50 years; member countries of the Panel to enhance the (b) As the region with the largest effectiveness of flood forecasting in international river population base in the world, even a low prevalence rate basins and urged that such cooperation be further translated into massive numbers of infections; strengthened. (c) Confronting the taboo nature of 285. The Commission also noted the comprehensive HIV/AIDS issues, such as sex, drugs and prejudices, survey aimed at further strengthening cooperation required courage to engage in open discussion of those among the members on cyclone-related disaster issues; reduction, carried out with the assistance of the ESCAP secretariat in cooperation with WMO and the Technical (d) The illegality of certain high-risk Support Unit of the Panel in 2002/03, and welcomed its behaviours fuelled the spread of the virus;

28 (e) Adequate resources, as well as the HIV/AIDS issues. There was a prevailing myth that commitment and leadership of heads of Government HIV/AIDS was not an Asian problem and that the and State, were crucial for expanded, strategic and infection would somehow be confined to groups such as comprehensive responses to turn the tide of the sex workers, injecting drug users and men who had sex HIV/AIDS pandemic. with men. Those groups received little sympathy and support from society at large and the prejudices against 290. Ninety-five per cent of the world’s people them often extended to all those affected by HIV/AIDS. living with HIV/AIDS were in developing countries. Underdevelopment contributed directly to the spread of 297. The Special Envoy emphasized the need to HIV/AIDS and its impact on the lives of the poor. focus attention on the vulnerability of girls and women who were infected by their male partners. Their 291. To tackle HIV/AIDS as a development exposure to HIV infection was a violation of their challenge, Governments must draw on the region’s rich human rights, a risk to their lives and health and a risk experience in combining social and economic policies to their children. While commending ESCAP on to improve people’s lives and incorporate HIV concerns according priority to HIV/AIDS issues, she urged it to into poverty reduction. empower girls and women to protect themselves.

President of Botswana Interactive session 292. In his keynote address, the President of 298. The Honorable Mr. Solomoni Naivalu, Botswana underscored the extent and severity of the Minister of Health of Fiji, delivered a statement on HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, which held many behalf of H.E. Mr. Lasenia Qarase, Prime Minister of lessons for other regions of the world. The first lesson Fiji. was that the international community must marshal the will and resources to stop the spread of the scourge of 299. He drew the attention of the Round Table to HIV/AIDS. The pandemic had the potential to decimate the HIV/AIDS threat to the Pacific, where it was large populations, aggravate poverty, increase income escalating in some island countries. WHO estimated disparities between rich and poor countries and easily that only 10 per cent of the actual number of people cross borders. living with HIV/AIDS had thus far been detected in the Pacific island countries and areas. Thus, it was a matter 293. He pointed out that HIV/AIDS directly of concern that many individuals were spreading the affected one of the main factors of production, labour, virus without being aware that they were doing so. through absenteeism, morbidity and mortality. It also affected capital and land indirectly, because reduced 300. Furthermore, he informed the Round Table of labour productivity made it difficult to optimize initiatives in Fiji, such as a multisectoral advisory production. The loss of savings potential owing to the committee on AIDS, increased budgetary allocations for pandemic also had an adverse effect on investment and HIV/AIDS-related work and a focus on traditional economic growth. communities for HIV/AIDS prevention. Those initiatives had the support of the Prime Minister and the 294. In his experience, political leaders at all levels Cabinet. had a crucial role in providing direction on HIV/AIDS 301. The Round Table agreed on the importance of policies and programmes and allocating more resources prevention in reversing the spread of the HIV/AIDS and infrastructure for effective implementation. He pandemic. Awareness-raising among the general strongly urged the Asian and Pacific region to avoid the public, condom use, harm reduction among injecting mistake of inertia and inaction and to bring the drug users, fighting stigma and discrimination and legal HIV/AIDS epidemic under control before it was too protection for people living with HIV/AIDS were key to late. The current low HIV prevalence rates in the region the success of HIV prevention. One delegation provided a window of opportunity for leaders in the informed the Round Table of a demonstration zone region to make a decisive difference. initiative to promote comprehensive prevention and treatment, as well as the strengthening of its public Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific health system and improvement of its overall health policy. In explaining the role of political commitment 295. The Special Envoy expressed the view that and leadership, the President of Botswana stated that HIV/AIDS was an unusual pandemic that required an HIV/AIDS awareness-raising efforts had begun to take extraordinary response. However, despite numerous root in his country after he had instructed all ministers international conferences and national meetings on to include references to HIV/AIDS in all of their public HIV/AIDS, and many expressions of commitment to speeches. urgent action against HIV/AIDS, national and local authorities did not as yet seem convinced. 302. Many delegations underscored the need to target children and young people in HIV/AIDS 296. Many leaders in the region recognized the prevention. They pointed out that vulnerable groups, threat that HIV/AIDS posed, but too few were willing to such as sex workers, injecting drug users, migrants and publicly break the silence and denial related to men who had sex with men, merited more support than

29 was currently the case. At the same time, it was equally infections from 140,000 to 20,000 cases per year. important to recognize that girls and housewives were Thailand had also expanded its programme on the also at risk of HIV infection, as a result of gender prevention of perinatal HIV transmission, which had inequality. It was a government responsibility to create protected thousands of babies from HIV infection. One an enabling environment in which everyone could make of Thailand’s new national priorities was the expansion informed and responsible choices. of a triple regimen ARV programme to cover 50,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS. For its part, Thailand 303. Furthermore, many delegations recognized that offered to share its knowledge and experience with reducing stigma and providing treatment and legal other countries. protection to people living with HIV/AIDS were not just human rights issues but also strategic measures to curb 309. The Islamic Republic of Iran presented the the spread of HIV. Only when people living with results of a successful pilot project carried out in HIV/AIDS were not discriminated against and treatment Kermanshah province aimed at establishing appropriate and care were available would more people come strategies to identify people infected with HIV, provide forward to be tested for the virus. them with social services, manage the treatment, care and support environment of people living with 304. The Round Table discussed the issue of HIV/AIDS and contain the spread of the pandemic in universal access to voluntary counselling and testing in different communities, such as families, prison a confidential setting. While people living with populations and society. WHO had acknowledged the HIV/AIDS had a right to confidentiality, their partners project as a best practice and it was planned that it also had the right to know test results and protect would be extended nationally. The delegation of the themselves. The ethical aspects of whether health-care Islamic Republic of Iran offered that best practice to the providers should be given the authority to inform the ESCAP membership for reference and possible partners of HIV-infected persons required further adaptation in the countries and areas of the region discussion. through the intermediation of the secretariat. 305. One delegation warned of the potential 310. The Round Table called for more technical economic impact of HIV/AIDS, including the loss of support from the United Nations system in each economic opportunity, which could amount to billions country, stronger intercountry cooperation, as well as of US dollars. The social impact of HIV/AIDS could exchange of experiences and good practices, both within include a 10-fold increase in the number of children the region and between Africa and the Asian and Pacific orphaned owing to the death of their parents from region. Several delegations urged international HIV/AIDS. organizations and donor agencies to coordinate and 306. The Round Table emphasized the importance streamline their interventions to ensure that all efforts of comprehensive care services, including the provision would be under one single national programme, so that of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. China, India and resources could be used in the most efficient way. The Thailand were cited as examples of good practice in the Chairperson of the United Nations Subregional Theme production of generic ARV drugs. The Round Table Group on HIV/AIDS in Bangkok expressed readiness to called for more support from developed countries in provide technical and financial support to meet country making drugs more affordable by, and accessible to, requests. people living with HIV and providing more financial resources to countries plagued by the epidemic. The Report on the Millennium Development Goals hope was expressed that drugs could be made more readily available at more affordable prices through cost- 311. The Executive Secretary welcomed the sharing mechanisms in the foreseeable future. The participants to the second segment of the Ministerial Round Table expressed satisfaction with the recent Round Table concerning the first regional report on the progress towards a WTO agreement in favour of the Millennium Development Goals, published jointly by generic production of ARV drugs. ESCAP and UNDP. In moderating that segment of the 307. With increased access to such drugs, the Round Table, he provided a brief background to the utilization of voluntary counselling and testing was joint ESCAP/UNDP initiative leading to the launching likely to increase. In Botswana, experienced and trained of the report in June 2003. He observed that he had human resources and laboratory support were found established the Poverty Centre in his Office to undertake acutely lacking when free ARV drugs were made the preparation of the study and thanked UNDP for its available within the country. The President of valuable support and cooperation. A short film was Botswana recommended that the Asian and Pacific screened, based on the regional report on the Goals and countries take note of that issue in their future highlighting the progress made in achieving some of the programme planning. targets. 308. The Round Table paid tribute to Thailand’s 312. The Assistant Administrator of UNDP success in HIV prevention through its 100 per cent expressed his deep gratitude to the Executive Secretary condom project, as well as the effective leadership of its for extending ESCAP’s cooperation in preparing the prime ministers, which had prevented millions of first-ever regional report on the Goals and congratulated infections. It had achieved a reduction of new the ESCAP team for producing an excellent report. He

30 pledged UNDP’s continued support and cooperation in from poor households were most at risk. It also noted further strengthening the partnership in supporting the that at the end of 2001, some 7 million people across the Goals in the region. He observed that the region had region had been living with HIV/AIDS. The situation in achieved extraordinary progress in reducing income some of the most populous countries was quite grave poverty but the depth and extent of human poverty and called for urgent attention. The Round Table remained as daunting as ever. He noted several observed that most of the targets in achieving disappointments in the region’s progress towards environmental sustainability could be missed. More achieving the Goals. First, the region as a whole had than 1 billion people lacked access to safe drinking performed poorly in improving agricultural water and more than 2 billion lacked proper sanitation. productivity, leading to a high level of hunger and While recognizing that the primary responsibility for malnutrition. Second, the quality of life of women and achieving the Goals lay with the countries of the region, children had hardly improved, with high levels of child the Round Table emphasized the need for strengthened and maternal mortality prevailing in many parts of the development cooperation. In that context, it expressed region. Third, very slow progress had been achieved in disappointment at the decreasing trend of ODA and fostering development partnerships. Both the level and barriers to market access for agricultural products. targeting of ODA in Asia and the Pacific had been poor. Much more needed to be done in terms of reducing or 315. The Round Table noted with satisfaction that removing agricultural subsidies in developed countries. the countries of the region remained firmly committed to achieving the Goals. It also noted with satisfaction 313. The Round Table congratulated ESCAP and that new modalities and policy initiatives had been put UNDP for preparing an excellent report, which had in place by several countries of the region to promote made a valuable contribution in initiating policy human development and achieve the Goals. Nepal had dialogue concerning the Goals and providing a platform introduced medium-term expenditure plans to improve for carrying out advocacy work in the region. It noted resource mobilization and utilization so as to reduce that although the region had achieved one of the largest poverty. Indonesia had introduced decentralization decreases in mass poverty in social history, huge measures with a view to further reducing the incidence challenges existed in the fields of basic education, of poverty. Bangladesh had focused on improving gender equality, child health, maternal mortality and governance, investing in human capability and environmental sustainability. The report had found that improving social protection schemes. Pakistan had between the early and late 1990s, the region as a whole launched small-scale targeted anti-poverty projects with was estimated to have reduced the overall incidence of encouraging results. India had identified education as income poverty from 34 to 24 per cent and was well on the key to eradicating poverty by putting greater its way to meeting the 2015 target. Among other things, emphasis on increasing national literacy and had also rapid economic growth was identified as the primary committed itself to raising political consciousness in factor explaining that rapid reduction in income halting the spread of HIV/AIDS. China had poverty. concentrated resources on poverty reduction in remote areas with an emphasis on increased access to 314. The Round Table noted that the progress in education, health and water. Thailand had begun to achieving other non-income poverty targets had been consider progress in achieving the Goals at a less satisfactory and quite uneven, both across countries disaggregated level with the initiation of monitoring and over time. Between the early and late 1990s, the projects at the provincial level. Myanmar had proportion of underweight children had fallen from 35 undertaken a project to generate poverty statistics to to 31 per cent, but more than 100 million children under better understand the poverty situation in that country. five were moderately or severely malnourished. In view of that trend, a number of countries might miss the 2015 316. The Round Table noted with satisfaction that target for nutrition. As many as 113 million children an output-oriented approach, in which the East Asian did not attend school, and millions of children were development model contained important lessons, was leaving school early. In terms of gender equality, the essential to achieve the Goals in the region. It also results were mixed. While several countries had noted with satisfaction that an international conference achieved impressive results, many countries continued on the Goals would be organized by the Government of to face difficulties in ensuring equal participation of China early in 2004 to exchange information and men and women at all levels of education. The provide mutual support in reaching the targets. representation of women in the higher echelons of decision-making was showing very slow progress. 317. In concluding the Round Table, the Executive Child mortality rates were high in several countries, Secretary thanked all the participants for their valuable with many women dying from complications arising contribution and guidance to the secretariat in from pregnancy. The Round Table noted that the most supporting the Millennium Development Goals in the effective strategy was to reduce poverty since children region.

Chapter III

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION AT ITS FIFTY-NINTH SESSION (PHASE II)

59/1. Regional action in follow-up to the services and the promotion of respectful and responsible Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS 1 sexual behaviour,

1. Calls upon all members and associate The Economic and Social Commission for Asia members: and the Pacific, (a) To implement the Declaration of Recalling General Assembly resolution 55/2 of Commitment on HIV/AIDS adopted by the General 8 September 2000, by which the Assembly adopted the Assembly at its twenty-sixth special session; United Nations Millennium Declaration, in which it resolved, inter alia, to have halted by 2015, and begun (b) To respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic to reverse, the spread of HIV/AIDS, with political commitment at the highest decision- making levels, including by immediate action to Recalling also General Assembly resolutions develop more comprehensive and strategic national S-26/2 of 27 June 2001, by which the Assembly adopted programmes and to strengthen their implementation; the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, calling for enhanced initiatives to fight HIV/AIDS at the (c) To mainstream HIV/AIDS into national regional level, and 57/299 of 20 December 2002 on economic and social development planning and increase follow-up to the outcome of the twenty-sixth special the availability of human and financial resources to session: implementation of the Declaration of Commitment address the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the country level as on HIV/AIDS, an emergency development challenge; Recalling further Commission resolution 57/1 (d) To generate adequate resources, both of 25 April 2001 containing a regional call for action to through domestic resource mobilization and by fight HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, encouraging donors to make concrete efforts towards the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product for Taking note of the steps taken by leaders of the official development assistance, and encouraging Asian and Pacific region since the twenty-sixth special developing countries to ensure that such aid is used session of the General Assembly to strengthen regional effectively to assist in closing the resource gap of an efforts to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, including the estimated US$ 7 billion required by 2007 for HIV/AIDS solidarity demonstrated at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial in the Asian and Pacific region; Meeting on HIV/AIDS, held at Melbourne, Australia, in October 2001, (e) To consider maintaining a high level of investment to prevent the spread of the HIV/AIDS Recognizing HIV/AIDS as a major epidemic, even in low-prevalence countries, since in the development challenge of our times, which could absence of an early response, low prevalence today unravel many of the social and economic gains that the could translate into an epidemic in the near future; Asian and Pacific region has achieved, (f) To promote policies that prevent the Taking note of the need for a sustained spread of HIV/AIDS through high-risk behaviour, such multisectoral approach to addressing this development as casual sex, use of commercial sex services, injecting challenge, drug use, reuse of virus-contaminated equipment, and Bearing in mind the need for political unsafe blood and blood products, reduce its multiplier commitment to secure an expanded and comprehensive effects on other communicable diseases, improve access response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the ESCAP to affordable care and treatment and scale up successful region, which is home to three of the world’s most interventions, ensuring that a balance is maintained in populous countries, 62 per cent of the world’s the focus on, and allocation of resources for, the population and over 600 million young people who are prevention of HIV infection, treatment of HIV/AIDS vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, and care for people living with HIV/AIDS; Noting with particular concern the continuing (g) To promote the implementation of high rates of infection among young people and the comprehensive interventions for HIV prevention among urgent need for increased investment in and drug users, together with drug abuse prevention implementation of HIV prevention strategies for young strategies, especially among young people, and people, including improved access to HIV preventive encourage members to administer laws in a way that does not inadvertently promote the transmission of HIV; 1 See paragraphs 78 to 96 above.

32 (h) To support action to address the gender- (c) To support and cooperate with all specific dimensions of the epidemic, including through subregional groupings, at their request, to strengthen efforts for the economic and social empowerment of subregional capability to deal with HIV/AIDS as a women, as also greater gender responsiveness and development challenge; equality to strengthen women’s ability to protect themselves from HIV; (d) To mainstream HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support into the programme of work (i) To support action to reduce new of ESCAP, including intercountry and cross-border infections among young people aged 15 to 24; cooperation to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS among groups whose behaviour, age, gender, mobility and (j) To facilitate and improve with specific means of livelihood render them especially vulnerable strategies prevention of the mother-to-child- to HIV/AIDS, and through modalities such as life-skills transmission mode of HIV infection; training to enhance the behavioural capability of (k) To improve the accessibility by, and vulnerable groups to better protect themselves and availability for, the poor of antiretroviral and other life- others from fuelling the spread of HIV, and support for saving drugs as well as diagnostics deemed essential for the strengthening of self-help groups of people living enabling people living with HIV/AIDS to continue to with HIV/AIDS; live meaningful lives; (e) To initiate measures to build national (l) To strengthen support for children living capacity, upon the request of national Governments, to with HIV/AIDS, orphans of parents who have died of meet the challenge of HIV/AIDS effectively, including AIDS-related illnesses and older persons affected by the the capacity to deal with issues relating to intellectual death of adult offspring as a result of HIV/AIDS, so that property rights, as well as develop national strategic they do not suffer even more from discrimination and plans for tackling the pandemic, with road maps to economic hardship; achieve targets agreed upon, and the capacity of civil society and non-governmental organizations to (m) To encourage the corporate/private participate in national responses; sector to play a stronger role in the HIV/AIDS response; 5. Also requests the Executive Secretary: 2. Urges donor Governments and (a) To provide technical assistance and agencies, regional and international financial other means of support for efforts to combat the spread institutions, members of the United Nations system and of HIV/AIDS in countries and areas of the ESCAP the private sector to join in advocacy for a region, particularly the developing and least developed comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic as countries; a major development challenge, including through (b) To report to the Commission at its promoting good practices, building enabling sixty-first session on regional progress in the environments and supporting effective interventions in implementation of the present resolution. the Asian and Pacific region to prevent the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS; 5th meeting 3. Urges the Joint United Nations 4 September 2003 Programme on HIV/AIDS and its sponsors to intensify efforts to ensure that the targets in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS are fulfilled in the Asian 59/2. Strengthening social safety in the Asian and and Pacific region, especially those pertaining to young 2 people aged 15 to 24; Pacific region 4. Requests the Executive Secretary: The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, (a) To intensify, where gaps are identified, advocacy to promote the implementation of the political Recalling the World Summit for Social and resource commitments in the Declaration of Development in 1995, which referred to the urgent need Commitment on HIV/AIDS; to address profound social problems, especially poverty, unemployment and social exclusion, that affect every (b) To further strengthen United Nations country, regional coordination, under the auspices of ESCAP, and together with the Joint United Nations Programme Recalling also the Copenhagen Declaration on on HIV/AIDS, to promote accelerated action and Social Development and the Programme of Action of coordinate with other United Nations organizations in the World Summit, which established a consensus to addressing issues of stigma and discrimination that are place people at the core of the concerns for sustainable relevant to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and in development, ensuring the human dignity of persons living with HIV/AIDS; 2 See paragraphs 247 to 252 above.

33 Recalling further the pledge by the General (c) To consider devising arrangements, as Assembly at its twenty-fourth special session in 2000 to appropriate, to meet the needs of the poor and eradicate poverty, promote full and productive vulnerable groups, having regard to available resources; employment and foster social integration to achieve (d) To strengthen partnerships, as stable, safe and just societies for all, appropriate, among the public sector, the private sector Acknowledging that while globalization, and other stakeholders concerned with social welfare technological advances and rapid economic growth in and social safety; some countries of the region have offered 3. Requests the Executive Secretary: unprecedented opportunities and brought about substantial progress on poverty eradication and social (a) To design a comprehensive and action- integration, they have also presented serious challenges oriented programme of work in this regard in for the people in the region, consultation with, and after obtaining the endorsement of, the members and associate members; Stressing that public policy on social welfare in the region should move beyond crisis management to (b) To assist members and associate strengthening the overall social safety system by members in the development of social safety policies, considering long-term policies, institutional structures including the development of employment data and collective efforts by all members and associate collection and analysis; members to help the people of the region to manage (c) To promote experience-sharing and risks, best-practice learning on social integration within the ESCAP region, in coordination and collaboration with Emphasizing the importance of fostering an other international and regional intergovernmental and integrated social safety net, particularly the necessity of non-governmental organizations; establishing a social safety net which provides necessary assistance to the unemployed, the poor and (d) To continue to pay particular attention senior citizens as well as other vulnerable groups, to disadvantaged, marginalized and unskilled groups in formulating its programme of work in 2004; Reaffirming that resources should be mobilized at both the national and regional levels for social safety, 4. Also requests the Executive Secretary to expand opportunities for productive employment and to report to the Commission at its sixty-first session on to invest in the development of human resources, the implementation of the present resolution. entrepreneurship and employability, 5th meeting 1. Calls upon members and associate 4 September 2003 members: (a) To renew their commitment to implementing the Copenhagen Declaration on Social 59/3. Regional implementation of the Biwako Development and the Programme of Action of the Millennium Framework for Action towards World Summit for Social Development, held in 1995; an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based (b) To strengthen efforts to foster social Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific during the Decade of integration and an enabling environment for social 3 development, by promoting productive and gainful Disabled Persons, 2003-2012 employment and eradicating poverty; The Economic and Social Commission for Asia 2. Also calls upon members and associate and the Pacific, members, in the context of strengthening social safety: Recalling its resolution 58/4 of 22 May 2002 (a) To emphasize the need to continue to on promoting an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based allocate, and enhance the allocation of, resources as society for people with disabilities in the Asian and appropriate to education, vocational and management Pacific region in the twenty-first century, by which it training, occupational safety and health, inter alia, by proclaimed the extension of the Asian and Pacific strengthening technical cooperation and collaboration Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, for another with the private sector in this area; decade, 2003-2012, (b) To stress the need to improve methods Recalling also the successful High-level for collection and analysis of basic employment data, Intergovernmental Meeting to Conclude the Asian and disaggregated by, inter alia, age, sex and relevant socio- Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, held at economic categories, as appropriate in the country Otsu City, Shiga, Japan, from 25 to 28 October 2002 context, including with regard to the informal, and hosted by the Government of Japan, the Shiga agricultural and service sectors and new forms of Prefecture Government and the city of Otsu, and its employment, and assess the feasibility of developing and improving mechanisms to measure unremunerated work; 3 See paragraphs 255 to 257 above.

34 adoption of the Biwako Millennium Framework for 2. Requests all members and associate Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights- members to support the implementation of the Biwako based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and Millennium Framework at the national level through the Pacific, public awareness activities, appropriate policies, other measures and the allocation of resources in keeping with Observing that the Biwako Millennium national capacities, and through international Framework identifies the following seven priority areas: cooperation and partnership, including the transfer of self-help organizations of persons with disabilities and resources and technologies, as appropriate; related family and parent associations; women with disabilities; early detection, intervention and education; 3. Urges Governments in the region which training and employment, including self-employment; have not done so to sign the Proclamation on the Full access to built environments and public transport; Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in access to information and communications, including the Asian and Pacific Region; information, communication and assistive technologies; and poverty alleviation through capacity-building, social 4. Invites all Governments, donor agencies security and sustainable livelihood programmes, and the private sector to continue to contribute to the technical assistance trust fund for the extended Decade, Noting that the international community 2003-2012, to ensure the successful implementation of expressed its commitment to economic and social the Biwako Millennium Framework; development in the face of rapid globalization in 5. Also invites the United Nations adopting General Assembly resolution 55/2 of 8 Development Programme, the United Nations September 2000 entitled “United Nations Millennium Children’s Fund, the United Nations Educational, Declaration”, embodying a large number of specific Scientific and Cultural Organization, the International commitments, including gender equity, universal Labour Organization and other concerned United education and poverty eradication, aimed at improving Nations bodies and agencies, the World Bank and the the lot of humanity in the twenty-first century, Asian Development Bank, and civil society Noting the recognition by the World Bank and organizations, in close cooperation with ESCAP, to the Asian Development Bank that unless persons with strengthen their support for the development of national disabilities are brought into the development capabilities for the effective implementation of the mainstream it will be extremely difficult to halve Biwako Millennium Framework; poverty by 2015 or give every girl and boy the chance 6. Requests the Executive Secretary: to complete primary education by the same date, which was agreed at the United Nations Millennium Summit in (a) To give special attention, in September 2000 and is part of those Banks’ collaboration with all concerned offices, bodies and commitment to the inclusion of disability concerns in agencies of the United Nations system, and civil society their poverty eradication efforts, to the development of regional activities in support of the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Noting the discussions at the first session of the Framework; Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion (b) To recognize the Asia-Pacific of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, Development Center on Disability as an ESCAP partner established by the General Assembly in its resolution on disability and to ensure close collaboration between 56/168 of 19 December 2001, ESCAP and the Center on promotion of the empowerment of persons with disabilities and a barrier- Welcoming the Government of Afghanistan as free society in the Asian and Pacific region, as a viable the forty-second signatory of the Proclamation on the means of ensuring the implementation of the Biwako Full Participation and Equality of People with Millennium Framework; Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region, at the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting in October 2002, (c) To support Governments at their as well as the Government of New Caledonia as the request in fulfilling the targets of the Biwako forty-third signatory of the Proclamation on 3 December Millennium Framework in such areas as statistics, 2002, information and communication technology, urban and rural environments, public transport, poverty reduction, Noting with appreciation the contributions by gender and development, and education of children and Governments and civil society to the technical youth with disabilities; cooperation trust fund for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, (d) To provide technical support to Governments in the region in the development of 1. Takes note of the Biwako Millennium regional support for the consideration of an international Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier- convention on the rights and dignity of persons with free and Rights-based Society for Persons with disabilities by organizing regional meetings and training Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific; workshops;

35 (e) To report to the Commission at its 3. Further reaffirms its full support for the sixty-fourth session on the mid-point review of the Office of the High Representative for the Least present resolution. Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States in its 5th meeting endeavour to ensure the full mobilization and 4 September 2003 coordination of all stakeholders for the implementation of the Programme of Action, which forms a basis for regional cooperation to assist the least developed 59/4. Implementation of the Programme of Action countries; for the Least Developed Countries for the 4 Decade 2001-2010 4. Stresses that successful implementation of the Programme of Action depends on shared The Economic and Social Commission for Asia responsibility and strengthened partnerships, including and the Pacific, civil society and the private sector, and invites all Recalling the United Nations Millennium members and associate members and subregional, Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals, regional and international organizations to support the which are aimed, among other things, at the eradication efforts of the least developed countries in Asia and the of poverty, Pacific; Recalling also General Assembly resolution 5. Requests the Executive Secretary, in 55/279 of 12 July 2001, in which the Assembly close coordination with the Office of the High endorsed the Brussels Declaration and the Programme Representative, the United Nations Conference on of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Trade and Development, the United Nations Decade 2001-2010, Development Programme and specialized agencies:

Recognizing the special concerns of the least (a) To ensure that the programme of work developed countries as emphasized in the Monterrey under the themes of poverty reduction, managing Consensus emanating from the International Conference globalization and emerging social issues mainstreams on Financing for Development and the Ministerial the relevant priorities and commitments identified in the Declaration of the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference, Programme of Action for the Least Developed Welcoming the establishment of a trust fund by Countries for the Decade 2001-2010, as called for in the Secretary-General to support the activities of the General Assembly resolutions 56/227 of 24 December Office of the High Representative for the Least 2001 and 57/276 of 20 December 2002; Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States and the (b) To review, analyse and disseminate General Assembly’s call, in resolution 57/276 of 20 information on economic and social developments in December 2002, for Member States, intergovernmental the least developed countries annually in line with the and non-governmental organizations and the private Programme of Action; sector to make voluntary contributions to the trust fund, (c) To assist the least developed in particular for the implementation of the Programme countries, where appropriate, in the formulation of of Action at the national, subregional, regional and appropriate sectoral development strategies and policies, international levels, paying due regard to the diverse development Aware that thirteen of the forty-nine least circumstances and constraints facing the least developed countries, many of which are landlocked developed countries, in accordance with the Programme developing countries or small island developing States, of Action; are in Asia and the Pacific, (d) To conduct a regional mid-term 1. Reaffirms its strong support for the full review of the implementation of the Programme of realization of the seven commitments made at the Third Action in 2005 to consider the developments United Nations Conference on the Least Developed affecting the countries concerned subsequent to the Countries and the Programme of Action for the Least Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010, as well Developed Countries; as the recommendations emanating from the international conferences on the landlocked developing 6. Also requests the Executive Secretary to countries and small island developing States; report to the Commission at its sixty-first session on the 2. Also reaffirms that the least developed implementation of the present resolution. countries have the primary responsibility for formulating and implementing effective policies to 5th meeting promote sustainable economic growth and development; 4 September 2003

4 See paragraphs 258 to 264 above.

36 Annex I

STATEMENT OF PROGRAMME BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF ACTIONS AND PROPOSALS OF THE COMMISSION

1. The resolutions adopted by the Commission at its fifty-ninth session will have no additional cost implications for the regular budget of the United Nations.

2. Extrabudgetary resources will be sought for the implementation of activities required under the resolutions adopted at the fifty-ninth session of the Commission.

37 Annex II

DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION DURING THE SECOND PHASE (LISTED BY AGENDA ITEM)

Agenda item Title Symbol

1 (c) Provisional agenda E/ESCAP/L.153

Annotated provisional agenda E/ESCAP/L.154

2 (a) Report on the current economic situation in the region E/ESCAP/1266/Rev.1 and related policy issues and Corr.1

2 (b) Integrating economic and social concerns, especially E/ESCAP/1267 HIV/AIDS, in meeting the needs of the region

3 (a) Implementation of Commission resolution 58/1 on E/ESCAP/1283 and Corr.1 restructuring the conference structure of the Commission

3 (b) Report of the Advisory Committee of Permanent E/ESCAP/1288 and Representatives and Other Representatives Designated Add.1 and 2 by Members of the Commission

3 (c) Outcome of the evaluation of regional institutions E/ESCAP/1299 (APCTT, SIAP and CGPRT Centre)

Outcome of the evaluation of the ESCAP Pacific E/ESCAP/1300 Operations Centre

Report on the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of E/ESCAP/1278 Technology

Report on the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific E/ESCAP/1270

Report of the Regional Coordination Centre for Research E/ESCAP/1272 and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific

4 Theme topic for the sixtieth session of the Commission E/ESCAP/1301

5 (a) Poverty reduction: developments, issues and strategies E/ESCAP/1268/Rev.1

Report of the Committee on Statistics on its thirteenth E/ESCAP/1269 session

5 (b) Regional developments and issues E/ESCAP/1273

Progress in the implementation of resolutions relating E/ESCAP/1297 to the theme of managing globalization

Report of the Committee on Transport, Communications, E/ESCAP/1274 Tourism and Infrastructure Development on its fourth session

Report of the Committee on Environment and Natural E/ESCAP/1275 Resources Development on its fourth session

Report on the regional follow-up to the Johannesburg Plan E/ESCAP/1302 of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development

38 Agenda item Title Symbol

Report of the Steering Group of the Committee on Regional E/ESCAP/1276 Economic Cooperation on its fourteenth meeting

Report on the Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural E/ESCAP/1277/Rev.1 Engineering and Machinery

5 (c) Emerging social issues: trends and approaches: the E/ESCAP/1279 rights-based approach to social development

Report of the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population E/ESCAP/1271 and Corr.1 Conference

Shanghai Implementation Strategy: Regional E/ESCAP/1280 Implementation Strategy for the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002 and the Macao Plan of Action on Ageing for Asia and the Pacific 1999

Report of the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to E/ESCAP/1281 Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002

6 Report of the Special Body on Least Developed and E/ESCAP/1303 and Corr.1 Landlocked Developing Countries on its sixth session

7 Report of the Asian and Pacific Development Centre E/ESCAP/1290 Report of the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience E/ESCAP/1291/Rev.1 Programmes in East and Southeast Asia Report of the Mekong River Commission E/ESCAP/1292 Report of the Typhoon Committee E/ESCAP/1293 Report of the Panel on Tropical Cyclones E/ESCAP/1294