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Re-vitalizing regionalism

By Ioan Voicu - posted Thursday, 29 June 2017


From a diplomatic perspective, an important outcome of specialized negotiations on the matter was the approval of the results of the first session of the ESCAP Committee on Energy ( January 2017), as well as the decision for launching the intergovernmental process for the preparation and successful holding of the Second Asia-Pacific Energy Forum in 2018.

The Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development managed to adopt a regional road map for the implementation of the 17 SDGs contained in the 2030 Agenda. The ESCAP region is expected to become an area much more closely integrated economically, better connected through roads and other infrastructure, and adequately prepared to rebound from natural disasters and other shocks affecting Asia and the Pacific.

ESCAP's activities on regional economic cooperation and integration contribute to promoting a more integrated, sustainable, and resilient connectivity in this geographical area, while ensuring a balance of social, economic, and environmental aspects. In this regard, progress in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) could further assist in the implementation of the SDGs. A Master Plan for an Asia-Pacific Information Super Highway was elaborated in order to enable a widespread use of ICT across the Asia-Pacific. Giving tangibility to this Plan could help reduce the cost of delivering health and education services through e-health and e-learning platforms.

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The ESCAP region is growing fast, gaining the position of a respected global economic leader. New freedoms and opportunities are becoming tangible. Yet, progress can be disconcertingly fragile. The economic expansion of Asia-Pacific countries has been steady, but it appears modest if we compare it with some past positive trends.

We witness weak external demand, rising protectionism , serious uncertainties, disturbing inequalities and an alarming environmental degradation. Sustainable regional cooperation is a key in addressing such burning issues.

ESCAP, as the main mechanism of multilateral cooperation in the area, has made important contributions to the Asia-Pacific economic development and social progress. It facilitated the birth of the Asian Development Bank, the largest financial institution in the area.

It initiated the Mekong River Commission, which implements promising programs for regional development. Asia-wide cooperation is being reinforced by intra and inter sub-regional partnerships, forums and institutions, acting as dynamic bridge-builders. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, the ASEAN Regional Forum, ASEAN plus China, Japan and the ROK dialogue, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and the Pacific Islands Forum are providing useful platforms to enhance mutual trust and promote common prosperity. In this respect,we should look also into the past by evoking the Shanghai Declaration, adopted on April 28, 2004 at the ministerial segment of ESCAP's 60th session,a document which can provide important guidelines for future action. It emphasizes ESCAP's unique role as the most representative body for the Asian-Pacific region and re-validates its mandate as the real institutional center within the UN system for this area. It underscores the value of multilateralism and reaffirms the UN's central role in promoting policy coherence on global issues.

The Shanghai session attended by this writer saw the landmark regional treaty - the Asian Highway Agreement - signed by 25 countries. This legal instrument opens a new era in communications and offers additional opportunities for trade and tourism, like a really modernized ``new silk route.'' ESCAP has been negotiating routes and road specifications for the network since 1992. The Highway is a multi-pronged corridor connecting Europe to Asia. In an inspired sentence, the former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said: ``From Tokyo to Tehran, from Singapore to Samarkand, and from points beyond to those in between, the network now spans 32 countries and encompasses more than 140,000 kilometres.''

The completed project will facilitate border-crossing for people, vehicles and goods, and will provide crucial benefits to landlocked countries. It represents a common platform to share a wealth of natural beauty, of historical and cultural heritage. It gives access to Asian capitals, major industrial and agricultural centers, main air, sea and river ports, and significant tourist attractions.

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In 2017, during the 73rd ESCAP's session many countries appraised the Belt and Road initiative of China in promoting larger development in Asia and the Pacific and supported the synergy between ESCAP and this valuable initiative. The session adopted a substantive resolution dealing with "advancing integrated and seamless connectivity for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific " proposed by Chinese delegation. A special ESCAP report on this issue will be considered in 2018.

Refreshed vitality

The development of humanity cannot be conceived without a stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific area. This is essential to world peace. Diversity is a prominent feature of the region. An incredible mosaic, Asia is home to most large nations with a population greater than 100 million. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Brahmanism are an integral part of Asian and world spirituality. It offers convincing evidence that all cultures can and must co-exist in harmony. They are able to cast away any prejudice, discrimination or clashes and promote permanent and constructive dialogue, as an inexorable trend of this century.

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About the Author

Dr Ioan Voicu is a Visiting Professor at Assumption University in Bangkok

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