United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Map showing United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific members
Abbreviation ESCAP
Formation 1947
Type Primary Organ - Regional Branch
Legal status Active
Head

Executive Secretary of ESCAP

Ms. Shamshad Akhtar[1]
 Pakistan
(2014 - present)
Parent organization
 ECOSOC
Website www.unescap.org

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP or ESCAP), located in Bangkok, Thailand, is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council,[2] under the administrative direction of the United Nations headquarters. It was established in 1947 (then as the UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, ECAFE) to encourage economic cooperation among its member states. The name was changed to the current in 1974. ESCAP has 53 member States and nine Associate members. As well as countries in Asia and the Pacific, it includes France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

ESCAP's regional focus is managing globalization through programs in environmentally sustainable development, trade, and human rights. ESCAP is headed by Executive Secretary Shamshad Akhtar of Pakistan. Following her appointment on 3 February it was announced that under her leadership, ESCAP will place a greater emphasis on promoting higher, well-balanced and sustainable regional growth that helps eradicate poverty and generates jobs to improve prosperity in the region.[3]

Scope

ESCAP works to overcome some of the region's greatest challenges by providing results oriented projects, technical assistance and capacity building to member States in the following areas:[4]

Member states

Associate members

Former Executive Secretaries[5]

Locations

See also

References

  1. ↑ unescap.org, ESCAP: Office of the Executive Secretary
  2. ↑ "SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF ECOSOC". United Nations Economic and Social Council.
  3. ↑ UNESCAP. "Shamshad Akhtar takes charge of UN ESCAP". Press release. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  4. ↑ "About ESCAP". United Nations ESCAP.
  5. ↑ "Former Executive Secretaries". United Nations ESCAP.

External links