12 August 2014
ESCAP Session Focuses on Regional Connectivity
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The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) concluded the second phase of its 70th session with an overview of priorities for enhancing regional connectivity of transport, information and communication technology (ICT), and energy networks.

UNESCAP8 August 2014: The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) concluded the second phase of its 70th session with an overview of priorities for enhancing regional connectivity of transport, information and communication technology (ICT), and energy networks.

The session in Bangkok, Thailand, engaged senior officials from over 40 Asia-Pacific countries in discussions on the theme of ‘Regional Connectivity for Shared Prosperity.’ On the first day, 4 August, a high-level exchange on development cooperation in the post-2015 era took place, followed by discussions on accountability for the post-2015 development agenda from 5-6 August. A Ministerial high-level segment from 7-8 August involved over 30 Ministers from Member States in roundtable discussions on regional connectivity, and mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction.

ESCAP launched its 2014 Economic and Social Survey during the meeting, predicting continued growth of under six percent across developing countries in the region, and proposing the establishment of an Asia-Pacific Regional Tax Forum to promote good practice, avoid tax competition and stem illicit funds transfers.

ESCAP Executive Secretary Shamsad Akhtar noted “deep-rooted domestic structural weaknesses” that dampen growth in the region, outlining challenges including infrastructure needs, budget deficits, environmental degradation, high resource-intensity of production and rising inequality. While highlighting the region’s achievements with regard to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), she emphasized the need to address rising inequality and to tackle extreme poverty, under-five mortality, and water and sanitation needs.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said developing regional networks in trade and transport, ICT, and energy systems, as well as promoting knowledge-based economies, will offer development opportunities especially for the least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS). He highlighted the forthcoming Third International Conference on SIDS taking place in Samoa in September 2014 as a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to focus on SIDS as a special case for sustainable development.

Akhtar said ESCAP’s strategy in the coming year will include enhancing partnerships with subregional institutions, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

She announced that following on the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in Pattaya, Thailand, held on 19-21 May 2014, ESCAP is establishing committees on: Energy; Science, Technology and Innovation (STI); and Financing for Development.

Akhtar added that the 70th ESCAP session had emphasized the need for effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting to improve accountability for implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She announced that ESCAP will undertake a survey of Member States to seek information about planned national sustainable development frameworks, and their institutional arrangements for monitoring and accountability. She encouraged Member States to develop domestic resource mobilization plans and identify annual allocations toward implementing the SDGs, adding that the Commission will launch a dialogue on South-South cooperation to track financial flows and STI sharing mechanisms with the region.

Summing up, she called on the region’s “major developing countries” to undertake increased responsibilities to assist weaker countries in achieving these aims. [Webcast] [ESCAP Press Release, 3 August] [ESCAP Press Release, 7 August] [UN Press Release, 4 August] [UN Press Release, 7 August] [UNSG Statement] [ESCAP Executive Secretary Policy Statement] [UNESCAP Executive Secretary Statement on Strategic Directions] [UNESCAP Executive Secretary Closing Statement]


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