Greater Investment in Disaster Risk Reduction in South East Asia

The torrential floods that occurred across South-East Asia last year left an imprint on both the region and its people. Over 1,000 people were killed. Moreover, the floods caused billions of dollars in damage. Last year's floods were the worst seen in generations. Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam were hit hardest by the floods.

This past Monday, delegates from nine countries attended a forum, in Bangkok, that focused on greater investment in disaster risk reduction. Noeleen Heyzer, the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has said that, "Hazards become disasters in the absences of development and with inadequate investment in risk reduction."

Delegates, having seen with their own eyes the importance of disaster risk reduction, are calling for increased investment in order to protect key social and economic assets.

-Akshika Patel


SOURCE: UN News Centre

Myanmar Called on to Support Development Partnerships

Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Noeleen Heyzer, has called on the Myanmar government to support private and public partnerships that help accelerate development in the country. Heyzer and Myanmar President, Thein Sein, were involved in a two day forum, organized by Myanmar and ESCAP. Government ministry representatives and over 130 private investors attended the meeting.

Secretary Heyzer made it a point to communicate that investment can in fact support Sein's reform agenda. The President stated that Myanmar needs, "private sector investment to contribute to national development and inclusive growth." Thein stated that the Myanmar government looks to ESCAP as a trusted partner in its path to development. In the spirit of joint cooperation between ESCAP and the Myanmar government, Heyzer proposed that a ESCAP Asia-Pacific Business Forum after  the international community lifts trade restrictions on Myanmar.

-Akshika Patel


SOURCE: UN News Centre