Asia-Pacific leaders convene in Bangkok for annual UN regional forum 11 – 16 May 2018, UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

Tuesday 08 May 2018 18:52
Political leaders and high-level government and UN officials from across the region will convene in Bangkok this week for the 74thsession of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

The annual gathering shall comprise two parts, including the senior officials segment from 11 to 12 May, in preparation for the ministerial segment, which will be held from 14 to 16 May at the UN Conference Centre.

This year participants will be deliberating on the theme 'Inequality in the era of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,' and are expected to review emerging drivers of rising inequality across the region to inform policy decisions to help build more inclusive, resilient and equitable societies.

The President of Marshall Islands Ms. Hilda Heine and Ministers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan and Vanuatu are amongst the high-level participants taking part in this year's session.

The President of Kiribati Taneti Mamau, H.E. Don Pramudwinai Foreign Minister of Thailand, UN General Assembly President H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajcák and the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Mrs. Carrie Lam, are scheduled to address the opening of the ministerial segment on 14 May.

The high-level policy dialogues will focus on approaches in addressing inequality of outcome, opportunity and impact, and harnessing the potential of frontier technology to foster equitable development. Several publications will also be launched at the session including the Theme Study: 'Inequality in the era of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' and the 'Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report.'