Timor-Leste unanimously endorsed by 62 UN Member States to Chair the Economic and Social Commission of Asia Pacific (ESCAP)
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, May 2, 2013
Timor-Leste unanimously endorsed by 62 UN Member States to Chair the Economic and Social Commission of Asia Pacific (ESCAP)
Bangkok, Thailand - At the 69th Commission Session of The United Nation’s Economic and Social Commission of Asia Pacific (ESCAP), Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, on behalf of Timor-Leste, was appointed to become Chair of ESCAP for a one-year term. India made the nomination, which was then seconded by Japan. It was the first and only nomination made on behalf of 62 Member States and unanimously endorsed. This was a milestone moment for the People of Timor-Leste and Prime Minister Gusmão who have worked tirelessly since 2007 to accelerate social and economic reforms for the consolidation of peace and sustained development. The appointment to chair ESCAP demonstrates a collective show of confidence by the Member States of ESCAP in the Asia Pacific region for Timor-Leste.
With 62 member states making up ESCAP, the region is home to 4.1 billion people, almost two thirds of the world’s population. Timor-Leste will now be responsible for chairing the 62 Member States under the United Nations ESCAP, assisting to bring to the forefront a range of common interrelated social and economic issues with regional Members States.
The geographical scope of ESCAP is vast stretching from Turkey in the west to the Pacific Island nation of Kiribati in the east, and from the Russian Federation in the north to New Zealand in the south. This makes ESCAP the most comprehensive and the largest United Nations body of all five regional commissions.[1] Timor-Leste is the newest member having gained membership on the 18th of July, 2003.
ESCAP provides a forum for Member States to promote regional cooperation and collective action, supporting countries in building and sustaining shared economic growth and social equity. Ultimately the aim is to support countries to shape and implement balanced and inclusive development agendas cohesive to the region which will positively impact on people’s lives.[2]
The nomination and appointment of Timor-Leste to Chair ESCAP was received by Timor-Leste as a positive sign in regional support of the country and its development trajectory. Spokesperson for the Fifth Constitutional Government, Ágio Pereira, noted “On behalf of the People and Government of Timor-Leste, we are very proud to accept this nomination to Chair ESCAP. We are humbled to have the confidence of ESCAP Member States. We see this opportunity as a valuable one as a nation to strengthen our regional associations and work closely with ESCAP Member States for the good of the economic and social development of our collective People’s in the Asia Pacific Region.”
Prime Minister of Timor-Leste’s speech on the occasion of the 69th Session of the Economic and Social Comission for Asia and the Pacific is available here.
[2] Ibid
