[UNESCAP] Concerns about ageing, health and poverty mark opening of 61st commission session

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The sixty-first Commission session began today with senior officials from 48 member Governments tackling a wide agenda that includes the effectiveness of the UNESCAP’s (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) new initiatives to how members can address their obligations to the elderly as the region’s population ages.

UNESCAP Executive Secretary Kim Hak-Su said that prospects for 2005 indicate a slowdown in economic growth in the region as the external environment weakens but "increased macroeconomic stability and external strength should enable ESCAP economies to withstand most shocks while working to reduce poverty".

With these challenges in mind delegates will discuss poverty reduction, managing globalization and emerging social issues under this year’s theme: Implementing the Monterrey Consensus in the Asian and Pacific Region: Achieving Coherence and Consistency.

The participants will discuss the multidimensional nature of poverty, pro-poor growth, identification and promotion of good practices, strengthening the capacity of the poor at the community level, provision of basic services to the poor and tourism for the poor.

In the area of management of globalization, the delegates will deliberate on international trade and investment, transport and facilitation and tourism, environment and sustainable development and information, communications and space technology. The efforts aim to help member Governments to manage globalization efficiently by formulating and implementing effective policies to "seize opportunities while minimizing the inevitable costs".

Studies show that the ESCAP region has undergone significant changes in the age structure as a result of declining fertility and increasing longevity. As population aging has become a major issue challenging some countries in the region, the interlinkages of population, development and poverty will be discussed, as well as emerging issues of health and mortality.

Senior officials taking part in the three-day deliberation are scheduled to wrap up on Saturday, 14 May. Their recommendations are expected to be presented and endorsed by the ministers on Wednesday, 18 May, at the conclusion of the Session.