UNESCAP, UNDP CALL FOR STRENGTHEND PARTNERSHIPS TO MEET MDG TARGETS IN ASIA PACIFIC

Speaking at meeting held to release their joint report on MDGs in the region, Mr. Kim Hak-Su, UNESCAP Executive Secretary committed the organization to continue acting as the premier regional forum for encouraging partnerships among all stakeholders. "Unless that partnership is in place, our quest for equity and justice will remain illusive," he told participants.

An agreement for the second phase of a regional MDG report card was signed by Mr. Kim and Mr. Hafiz Pasha, Regional Director, UNDP Asia-Pacific Bureau, at the opening session. The 5.4 million dollar project will build national data/statistical capacity to monitor on-going progress, prepare in-depth technical papers, and publish a second MDG report set for release in 2005.

The workshop provided a unique opportunity for the seven SAARC countries to come together for the first time to assess their own record in achieving the MDGs.

"The whole exercise to disseminate the report has been useful in identifying critical gaps that must be filled to ensure that the MDGs become an effective vehicle to serve the cause of the poor, the destitute, the marginalized, the vulnerable," Mr. Kim told the gathering.

"The workshop reminded us that we have a long way to go and we will need years of hard and dedicated work at all levels -- country, regional and international -- to realize the vision contained in the Millennium Declaration."

The South Asian launch of the first regional report on the MDGs was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 28-29 February 2004 and hosted by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Approximately 60 participants from seven South Asian countries attended the two-day meeting which drew together government officials, representatives of civil social and members of the media.

Other participants of noted included H.E. Bekh Bahadur Thapa, Ambassador-At-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal, Mr. Q. Rahim, SAARC Secretary General, Ms. Erna Witoelar, UN Special Ambassador for MDGs, and Dr. Yub Raj Khatiwada of the National Planning Commission of Nepal.   End.