Pakistan participated actively in the 68th session of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) that concluded in Bangkok last week. The thematic focus of the Commission session this year was on "Regional Economic Integration for the Asia-Pacific Region."
Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra delivered a welcome address. Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul chaired the ministerial segment and also made the country statement on behalf of Thailand. The Pakistan delegation was led by Ambassador to Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP Sohail Mahmood. Like last year, he was again designated as the chairperson of the Working Group on Draft Resolutions and helped forge consensus on the proposals submitted by member states.
Participating in the Commission's policy debate, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stressed the importance of "inclusive growth" and inter alia called for sustained action for poverty eradication, food security, agriculture development; employment generation, inflation control, progress towards realisation of MDGs, strengthening resilience against natural disasters, facilitation of regional trade and economic integration, and increased technical co-operation for capacity-building of member states.
He also outlined Pakistan's economic outlook since the Commission session in 2011 and highlighted key elements of socio-economic progress. The Commission was apprised of the scope and significance of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The annual 63-member Commission concluded with adoption of 11 resolutions, covering a wide range of subjects - including population, trade facilitation, disaster risk reduction, transport, regional co-operation for development, regional economic integration, energy connectivity, persons with disabilities, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Sharing his views later, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood underlined that Pakistan had contributed positively to the outcome of the 68th Commission session. He was confident that the results of such participation will help further deepen the growing partnership between Pakistan and UNESCAP.