Tuesday, May 31, 2011

...the resolution

PHL resolutions adopted at UN meet

At least two key resolutions of the Philippines were adopted at the 67th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Tuesday.

The UN ESCAP adopted the resolutions on:
  • the improvement of civil registration and vital statistics in the Asia-Pacific region, and

  • enhancing accessibility for persons with disabilities.

    "The resolutions were part of a set of 15 resolutions adopted in the meeting on issues from bridging wide development and infrastructure gaps within the region, to cooperation for energy security and disaster preparedness," the DFA said in a news release posted on its website.

    The Philippine resolution on civil registration and vital statistics was co-sponsored by Australia, Bangladesh, and Thailand.

    The resolution emphasized the importance of these systems in designing social protection schemes and improving development outcomes.

    It also called for the commitment of Asia-Pacific countries in convening a regional meeting of decision makers to strengthen civil registration and vital statistics systems.

    "The Philippines is only one of two countries in the region with an integrated civil registration and vital statistics system," the DFA said.

    ESCAP meeting

    The DFA said the ESCAP's meeting was held in Bangkok from May 19 to 25.

    The next session of ESCAP, to be held in Bangkok in April or May 2012, will focus on enhancing regional economic integration in Asia and the Pacific region.

    A comprehensive social and economic agenda for sustainable and inclusive development in the region was drawn up during the week-long annual UN forum.

    The central theme of this year's session emphasized the urgency of social protection and development amidst crises that worsened poverty in Asia-Pacific region.

    The 67th session of UN ESCAP was participated in by more than 45 countries and 30 UN bodies, international organizations (IOs) and observer non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the region.

    Governing council member

    During the ESCAP meeting, the Philippines was elected member of the new Governing Council of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) 2011-2014.

    The other countries elected to the Governing Council were Bangladesh, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

    The Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) Engineer Edgar Garcia will represent the Philippines in the Governing Council.

    During the meeting, Asia-Pacific member states achieved consensus on a wide-range of policy recommendations aimed at sustaining the region's economic growth while minimizing its social and environmental costs.

    "The Philippine delegation was active in discussions on information and communications technology, social development and statistics," the DFA said.

    "It also shared its experience on the implementation of its Conditional Cash Transfer Program, resulting in greater access to primary schooling, improved maternal mortality and lowered infant mortality among the poor," the DFA added.

    A key outcome of the session was an agreement by Asia-Pacific countries to invest in building a "social protection floor" offering a minimum level of access to essential services and income security to all.

    The Philippine delegation to 67th UN ESCAP session was headed by Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Mateo Montano and composed of representatives from the DFA, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Social Welfare and Devleopment (DSWD), the National Statistics Office (NSO) and the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT).

    The Philippines also successfully presided as Vice Chairperson of the meeting, with Montano elected Vice Chairperson of the Bureau for the Ministerial Segment held from May 23 to 25.

    NSO Administrator Carmelita Ericta was elected First Vice Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole II of the Senior Officials Segment held on May 19 to 21. - VVP, GMA News

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