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The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), located in Bangkok, Thailand, is the regional arm of the United Nations Secretariat for the Asian and Pacific region. It was established in 1947 (then as the UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East) to encourage economic cooperation among its member states. The name was changed to the current in 1974. It is one of five regional commissions under the administrative direction of United Nations headquarters.
UNESCAP has 52 member States and nine Associate members, and reports to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). As well as countries in Asia and the Pacific, it includes France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Currently the Executive Secretary is Noeleen Heyzer of Singapore. Ms. Heyzer is the first woman to head UNESCAP, which is the biggest of the UN's five regional commissions, both in terms of population served and area covered. UNESCAP's regional focus is managing globalization through programs in environmentally sustainable development, trade, poverty reduction, and human rights.
Work on Gender
UNESCAP uses the Millennium Development Goals as an overarching framework for its programme. Special attention is paid to specifics goals, including number three: "Promote gender equality and empower women." UNESCAP addresses issues of gender equality through its subprogramme on social development (Subprogramme 8). This subprogramme convenes regional meetings and training workshop on gender; identifies, analyzes, disseminates and customizes good practices; promotes partnerships, including with non-governmental organizations and civil society; compiles, reviews and disseminates information; provides technical assistance, at the request of members and associate members; and conducts limited inter-country research.
