Annual UN forum in Bangkok to tackle new sustainable development agenda, support for Pacific countries

A half-dozen leaders from the Pacific and other high-level officials from around Asia and the Pacific will convene in Bangkok this week for the annual United Nations regional development policy forum, where they will debate the integration and implementation of the three dimensions of sustainable development, and region-wide support for Pacific Island countries.

The 71st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will meet from 25 to 29 May, just months before the United Nations will adopt a new agenda to promote sustainable development that looks to ensure continued economic growth, preservation of the environment and social protection and equality for all.

The Presidents of Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and Nauru; and the Prime Ministers of Fiji, Tuvalu and the Cook Islands Henry Puna, also come to Bangkok to discuss the follow up to the third international conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), held in September 2014 in Samoa. The Prime Minister of Thailand, General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.) is scheduled to address the opening of the ministerial segment on 28 May.

Several ministers will be among key speakers at panel discussions during the high-level session this week that will focus on the successful implementation of the new development agenda, and ways of addressing key policy concerns affecting the region.

The Commission session is being held against the backdrop of the conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the international community’s collaborative effort to drive development. While the region has made great development strides, progress has not been shared evenly and much development remains to be carried out.

ESCAP also will launch the final MDG progress report, Making it happen: Technology, finance and statistics for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific, prepared in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Dr. Shamshad Akhtar will present the key findings of the MDG progress report at a press conference on 28 May.

A ministerial roundtable will be held on 28 May with a focus on the theme of the 71st session, ‘Balancing the three dimensions of sustainable development: from integration to implementation.’

On 29 May, Asia-Pacific leaders will join a panel discussion on policy issues facing the region, with particular emphasis on the findings of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2015, ESCAP’s flagship publication.

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Key events during the week, including all panel discussions, will be webcast live at http://www.unescap.org/commission/webcast

The ministerial segment will be webcast in four languages (English, Chinese, French and Russian)

The Commission session can also be followed on social media using the hash tag #CS71.

For more information on the Commission session visit: http://www.unescap.org/commission