Review of Regional Action Taken in Support of

the Agenda for Action on Social Development

in the ESCAP Region, and the Follow-up of the

World Summit for Social Development

MEETING PAPER NO 3, PART 2 OF 2

2. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

At the third session, held in 1995, of the UNCTAD Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation, two papers were presented on poverty alleviation and international trade. These concerned subcontracting arrangements between chaebols and micro and small-scale suppliers in export production in the Republic of Korea and the economic and social aspects of the small enterprise cluster in India. An inter-agency seminar was held in 1996 on globalization and liberalization and the effects of international economic relations on poverty. The seminar examined the implications for growth, equality, and poverty of globalization in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan Province of China, and Thailand. It also looked at the links between foreign direct investment and exports, economic growth, and poverty reduction in China. An international conference on East Asian development and the lessons from a new global environment, held in 1996, considered the provision of credit and technical assistance to small-scale rural producers and urban entrepreneurs as a means of extending support to marginalized sectors.

3. United Nations Environment Programme

With reference to the concerns in the Agenda for Action, UNEP monitors the ratification of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1989). UNEP has helped increase the environmental management expertise of decision makers and policy makers in the region. Appropriate methodologies, tools, and information related to sound and sustainable development have been developed for optimal management of natural resources and the environment.

4. United Nations Population Fund

UNFPA has taken an active part as the Chair of the inter-agency ACC Task Force on Basic Services for All to galvanize the United Nations system in attaining the goals of the United Nations global conferences, including the World Summit for Social Development. It has published a wall chart on basic social services and will produce guidelines for the United Nations system on primary health care, best practices and other information on basic social services to strengthen the system’s follow-up of the goals of poverty alleviation and social integration. UNFPA has played a lead role in implementing the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development at the global, regional and national levels by ensuring universal access to reproductive health, education and sustainable development in line with the regional Agenda for Action. It supports social integration by mainstreaming gender concerns, such as women’s rights and adolescent reproductive health, and gender empowerment in country and regional programmes. It also supports HIV/AIDS prevention programmes and the implementation of the global strategy of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Its South-South initiative provides support for the centres of excellence in Indonesia and Thailand and aims at capacity-building for population policy formulation and planning, HIV/AIDS prevention, developing sustainable reproductive health programmes, curricula development, and gender equality and women’s empowerment.

UNFPA works closely with ESCAP in the implementation of projects to strengthen research and policy analysis on female migration, employment, family formation and poverty alleviation; examining the implications for the family and elderly of future demographic trends in Asia; and strengthening the monitoring and evaluation systems for measuring progress in reproductive health and family planning programmes. UNFPA also supports national efforts through the provision of funding, technical assistance, training, essential drugs and medical equipment relating to its primary concerns, information collection and dissemination, and the establishment of social indicators for monitoring purposes.

5. United Nations High Commission for Refugees

UNHCR has taken action on the Agenda for Action for the benefit of refugees, displaced persons and returnees to the country of origin. In the identification of viable solutions to the problems of forced migration, UNHCR facilitates the social and economic integration of refugees. The three main approaches are (a) voluntary repatriation and return of refugees to their country of origin, (b) local integration in countries of first asylum, and (c) resettlement in third countries for refugees where no other option is available. While the integration of refugees is seen as a goal to be achieved under conditions of justice and equity, due regard is given to the diverse cultural, ethnic, religious and other identities of the refugees and the population in the receiving countries.

Humanitarian assistance provided by UNHCR to facilitate settlement or reintegration is sensitive to local and emerging structures and supports the community capacity to cope with new opportunities and challenges. Refugees and returnees can make an important contribution to the development of the areas where they settle permanently, but their integration puts an additional burden on available local resources. Therefore, assistance in consolidating solutions to refugee problems combines humanitarian and developmental interventions in a collaborative manner between different agencies and local authorities. New cooperative mechanisms and innovative aid modalities have been considered. Whenever possible, UNHCR posits solutions to refugee problems in ways that match the resources with the refugees’ capabilities. UNHCR supports the development of skills among the refugees to enhance opportunities for self-reliance and sufficiency through micro-credit schemes, job creation, skills and vocational training, or agricultural activities to enhance food security and supplement incomes, as appropriate.

6. International Labour Organization

In pursuance of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, ILO has taken the lead role in employment-related issues in poverty alleviation and enhancing social integration. Initiatives in support of the Social Summit and the Agenda for Action include the ratification of the fundamental human rights conventions of ILO, combating child labour, and the improvement of the ILO standards supervisory system. The Declaration places considerable emphasis on the involvement of civil society, including business enterprises and trade unions in ensuring cooperation in national economic and social policy planning and is in line with the ILO active partnership policy in formulating coherent country objectives. ILO assists in the formulation of country strategies leading to full employment, and the monitoring and evaluation of employment programmes.

(a) Poverty alleviation and employment

ILO assists in the identification, collection, and analysis of labour statistics, including household income and expenditure, employment and wage distribution. It has conducted advisory services and studies on the employment effects of structural reforms, the formulation of employment and labour policies and programmes covering the informal sector, rural industry, and small enterprises development to alleviate poverty and promote employment.

Human resources development has been pursued with a view to improving workers’ skills and the quality of jobs; retraining and reintegration of workers following economic restructuring and job losses; and increasing support for vulnerable groups. ILO ensures that effective labour administration and inspection services, including the enforcement of legislation incorporating the concerns of vulnerable groups are congruent with current labour market policies and sound industrial relations.

(i) Child labour

Member States have been encouraged to ratify the Minimum Age Conventions which specify that the minimum age for economic activity should not be less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling, or in any case, not less than 15 years, and calls on Member States to abolish child labour. Advisory services on the implications of such ratification have been provided and necessary legal reforms have been implemented. Two conventions on forced labour are instrumental in combating all forms of child labour, particularly bonded labour, child trafficking and prostitution. A new convention targeting the most exploitative, abusive, and hazardous forms of child labour will be discussed at a tripartite international labour conference to be held in 1998, and it is expected to be adopted in 1999. An international programme for the elimination of child labour has been launched.

(ii) Women workers

ILO action pertinent to women workers relates to the Declaration and Platform of Action adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women, held at Beijing in 1995. In line with the ILO Conventions on Equal Remuneration (1951) and Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) (1958), emphasis is placed on capacity-building, gender issues at the workplace, education and training in legal reforms, awareness-raising on women’s rights and gender equality. Support activities aim at expanding employment opportunities for women and improving their participation through training and raising awareness on these issues among the public sector, employment organizations and trade unions.

(b) Social integration

People with disabilities. As the lead agency in vocational and training programmes and within the framework of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993-2002), ILO seeks the ratification of the Convention concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) which specifies that persons with disabilities should enjoy equality of opportunity and treatment in employment, vocational rehabilitation and training. Training guidelines and programmes are being developed for the integration of persons with disabilities into mainstream employment.

Migrant workers. ILO emphasizes the welfare of labour migrants including undocumented workers, female domestic helpers and entertainers. Assistance is given through advisory services, studies on migration pressure and policy areas, and a regional programme on the welfare and working conditions of women migrants.

Indigenous groups. Following the adoption in 1989 of the Convention concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, ILO has embarked on a programme to enable indigenous and tribal peoples to be self-reliant through cooperatives and other self-help organizations at the grass-roots level. ILO has supported and will expand the coverage of projects by local organizations with a strong income and employment-generation component, selected by the beneficiaries themselves and incorporating functional literacy, technical training, and revolving loan schemes.

Social protection. ILO assists in setting minimum social security standards which have been raised in several conventions, for disability, old age, medical care and maternity. It has assisted in the formulation of new social security provisions and expanding the existing programmes in some countries, including for the unorganized sector of the economy. Advisory services were extended to the transition economies in reforming their social security systems and to others in formulation of social security legislation, financing and administration.

7. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FAO has contributed to the environment target in the Agenda for Action by providing training in human resources development for the environment, sustainable agriculture and rural development. Through "farmer field schools," villagers are able to increase their knowledge of integrated pest management and reduce related health hazards in agricultural production. FAO also contributes to population targets by training rural youth in population education. Workshops have been organized for the integration of rural disabled persons into agriculture and agro-industry and to strengthen the management of agricultural cooperatives.

8. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

In support of the Agenda for Action, UNESCO focuses on the areas of health and population, education and employment. The project on prevention of HIV/AIDS through quality improvement of the curriculum and teaching-learning materials in the Asian and Pacific region aims to incorporate HIV/AIDS concerns in the new curriculum and teaching materials in selected countries of the region. UNESCO/APPEAL (Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All) has developed a conceptual framework aimed at reorienting literacy and basic education towards poverty alleviation and improvement in the quality of life. The framework provides an analysis of poverty issues and the role of basic education in poverty alleviation, as well as other parameters of a desirable basic education programme. Country studies on literacy and the basic education of girls and women in South Asia will be prepared to serve as a basis for policy recommendations. A transdisciplinary project aimed at building a culture of peace, human rights and fundamental freedom and the rejection of violence and all forms of discrimination will improve the status of women in the labour force. Guidelines for case studies on the empowerment of women in economic life, particularly in small and medium enterprises, have been prepared. These studies examine broad national legal frameworks for economic participation and their impact on women’s equality.

9. International Civil Aviation Organization

The International Civil Aviation Organization recognizes that continued robust growth in air traffic in the Asian and Pacific region has helped enhance social development. Air transport plays a significant role in many countries in generating employment, both directly and indirectly. It has helped in the expansion of trade and tourism, which in turn generates a host of other economic and social development activities contributing to poverty alleviation.

10. World Health Organization

Significant health gains have been achieved in the South-East Asian region in the pursuit of the goal of health for all by 2000. However, a gap exists between the minimum global targets and their achievement in many countries. It is recognized that health for all is not achievable by the year 2000 in many countries. To support health programme implementation, WHO published a document on renewing the HFA strategy-elaboration of a policy for equity, solidarity and health. Advocacy for renewing the health for all strategy as an integral part of national health development plans is being undertaken. With specific reference to basic health care, assistance is being provided for improving organizational services, capacity-building, increasing community involvement in identifying health problems, self-care and health promotion, mobilizing resources including from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, training of trainers in health care, developing health indicators, and monitoring and evaluation. WHO will place more emphasis on support for the effective use of the basic health infrastructure, shifting away from a focus on illness towards addressing the contributory risk factors, health promotion and the role of the individual and community in supporting their own health. WHO has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of South East Asian Nations for close collaboration in key health areas, including prevention of communicable diseases and environmental health.

11. International Monetary Fund

In the context of the global Programme of Action and the regional Agenda for Action, IMF helps member countries to achieve high quality growth through (a) promoting macroeconomic policies aimed at a stable and sustainable macroeconomic environment, (b) structural policies aimed at a market-based environment for trade and investment, (c) sound social policies including social safety nets to protect the poor, cost-effective basic social expenditure and employment-generating labour market policies, and (d) good governance and participatory development.

Among ESCAP countries with IMF-supported adjustment programmes since 1995, technical assistance has been provided for a poverty reduction programme, improvement in environmental and natural resource management, the conduct of a comprehensive public expenditure review focusing on the low social sector allocation, review and improvement of social benefits/assistance and social insurance programmes to provide more targeted support such as through the introduction of allowances to low income families and vulnerable groups, minimization of the adverse social impact of tariff and rent increases, and improvement in the value added of the health and education sectors. Through its surveillance programmes some countries have redirected public expenditure towards basic services and targeted programmes for the poor and vulnerable groups to increase rural incomes, and to promote women in development and rural infrastructure development.

The IMF has collaborated with UNDP in providing technical assistance to countries in Asia and the Pacific, focusing on capacity-building and re-establishing the framework for fiscal and monetary policy. The challenge of a globalized economy and growing recognition that economic and social development are mutually reinforcing has forged closer cooperation between IMF and the United Nations.

12. World Meteorological Organization

WMO and ESCAP cooperate closely in issues relating to tropical cyclones. Recent activities and accomplishments of WMO include (a) upgrading meteorological and hydrological telecommunications networks, (b) improving the facilities and advisory services of the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres for tropical cyclone monitoring and forecasting, in New Delhi and Tokyo (which are at the core of cooperative arrangements for tropical cyclone/typhoon forecasting), (c) improving forecasting techniques through the Typhoon Committees Special Field Experiment Concerning Typhoon Recurvature and Unusual Movement, (d) field testing and local application of Management Overview of Flood Forecasting Systems for upgrading flood forecasting systems, and (e) training in flood risk analysis and mapping in support of ongoing comprehensive flood loss prevention and management activities. Efforts relating to the environment are supported through the Global Atmosphere Watch of WMO. All these activities contribute to poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

13. World Intellectual Property Organization

WIPO is involved in strengthening of the enabling infrastructure for employment expansion, poverty alleviation and long-term social development in the developing countries of the region. Its activities include (a) human resources development, (b) creation of a legislative framework for the intellectual property system, (c) capability-building to ensure adherence to intellectual property rights, (d) increasing awareness and promotion of innovations related to intellectual property activities, and (e) enhancing access to technological information contained in patent documents.

14. United Nations Industrial Development Organization

With its largest regional programme in Asia and the Pacific, UNIDO has undertaken activities which are congruent with the goals and targets of the Agenda for Action. These activities are (a) policy, institutional, and enterprise-level interventions, (b) pre-investment feasibility studies, (c) assistance to the private-sector in manufacturing and service industries, (d) provision of technical support to industry, (e) human resources training for industrial development, (f) creation of small and medium industry networks for subcontracting and outsourcing, and (g) development of innovative approaches to industrial development. Current assistance activities include industrial pollution reduction in Viet Nam, cleaner production techniques in Thailand, promotion of the competitiveness of small and medium agro-industries in India, Indonesia and Thailand, investment and technology promotion in India, the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan, industrial strategy and policy advice in the Central Asian republics, and rural industrialization and employment generation in Bangladesh and Solomon Islands.

B. Other Intergovernmental Organizations

1. Asian Development Bank

ADB has increasingly incorporated social dimensions in its development efforts and operations. Assistance was provided to the Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference in Preparation for the World Summit for Social Development. That Conference resulted in the adoption of a comprehensive framework and a series of specific time-bound goals and targets for dealing with major social issues. ADB cooperation with ESCAP continues in the support of national efforts to give greater emphasis to social development and the preparation of national action plans for poverty reduction, employment expansion and social integration in the implementation of the Agenda for Action. In 1996, 31 of 78 public sector projects of ADB included social development concerns.

Poverty reduction is an implicit element in all ADB projects. These have included a technical assistance grant for a rural income-generation project in Indonesia, among others. As an integral part of poverty reduction, employment generation is being supported through micro-enterprise development, targeted at the poor in, for example, Bangladesh, Mongolia, the Philippines and Viet Nam.

The Bank continues to systematize its approach to social integration and the protection of vulnerable groups through the preparation of policy papers and guidelines. These groups include among others, children, older persons, tribal people, ethnic minorities, illegal squatters/settlers, people with disabilities, and new and old immigrants, who are often poor and powerless and have little capacity to absorb economic and social shocks. In its policy adjustments, investments aimed at economic efficiency, enhancing growth and protection of the environment, social safety nets are provided to vulnerable groups that might be adversely affected. The Bank drafted the Handbook on Resettlement: A Guide to Good Practice, in which it delineated its policy approach to involuntary resettlement. It also completed work on a policy to address the needs of indigenous peoples.

The Bank stresses the critical role of women in development (WID), in realizing poverty reduction and economic growth. It has supported country and regional assistance projects for improving women’s status through basic education, entrepreneurship skill development, population and health development. It has also supported the preparation of various country strategy studies and position papers on the subject, including the ADB policy on women in development.

With regard to other social sectors, ADB also provides technical assistance through grants, and the organization of studies and project loans in the field of education, including basic education, non-formal secondary education, skills development for minimum-wage earners and vocational training. It has initiated a programme for restructuring and institutional strengthening in the education sector, including issues of resource allocation to enhance effectiveness and efficiency. Support has also been provided for strengthening policies and programmes in the population and health sectors to improve the quality, cost effectiveness and delivery of such services, particularly for women and children. ADB assistance covers strategies for population and family health services aimed at improving child nutrition, basic health care provision, such as safe drinking water and sanitation services, and private sector involvement. Attention is paid to capacity-building and institutional support, management improvement, revenue sharing and cost-saving measures. With rapid urbanization, attention is also placed on support for strengthening capabilities in the efficient delivery, management and maintenance of urban services, including urban transport, land development and housing, with a focus on the needs of the urban poor.

2. Asian Productivity Organization

APO recognizes that with increasing economic liberalization, there is a need to incorporate the socio-cultural dimensions of development in productivity programmes that deal mainly with efficient use of labour and capital resources. Two APO initiatives that integrate social development concerns are the Special Programme for Environment and the Programme for Integrated Local Community Development.

The APO World Conference on Green Productivity adopted the Manila Declaration on Green Productivity to promote incorporation of cleaner production systems in industries to increase overall productivity. Recognizing the negative impact of environmental deterioration on people's health and welfare, the APO Special Programme for Environment will strengthen the awareness and application of the green productivity concept in member countries. Under the Special Programme, the Demonstration Factory/Farm Programme will promote environmentally sound productivity improvement techniques in small and medium enterprises and establish model farms and factories.

The Integrated Local Community Development project aims to alleviate poverty, generate employment, develop social infrastructure and entrepreneurial development particularly in the rural areas, through engendering greater community involvement in the implementation of development programmes. The process will be facilitated initially through networking and exchange of experience.

3. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

SAARC attaches the highest priority to poverty eradication. The SAARC Year of Poverty Eradication was declared in 1995. The eighth SAARC Summit, held in 1995, reaffirmed the commitment of its member States to the eradication of poverty by 2002. The strategies evolved at technical and ministerial meetings include social mobilization through building organizations of the poor and their empowerment, human development especially of poor women, universal primary education, skill development, primary health care, shelter for the poor, efficient service delivery systems including devolution of power and decentralization, and economic growth for employment generation. Other activities include the exchange of information and experience, particularly through the designation of nodal agencies in each country, and assistance in designing and implementing antipoverty programmes.

SAARC cooperates closely with ESCAP in the implementation of the SAARC seven sisters project and will explore further means of strengthening cooperation in poverty-related areas dealing with the informal sector, women and youth.

Ministerial-level conferences were convened to discuss the framework for subregional cooperation in programmes to improve the welfare of children aimed at attaining the “survival” targets relating to infant and child mortality, with special attention to the girl child, and elimination of child labour by 2010.

4. Forum Secretariat

The Forum Secretariat works closely with the ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre to provide technical assistance in capability-building for economic and public sector reforms. It also supports the management of small and medium-sized enterprises and the analysis of related economic and social issues in the Pacific island countries. It has participated in the development of a vulnerability index based on environmental and economic changes in these States. A Pacific submission to the Commission on Sustainable Development at its fifth session will increase wider understanding of social, economic, and environmental issues relevant to the Pacific.

Back to the overview page of the Ministerial Conference

Home | Site Map | Feedback | UN Home Page | ESCAP Home Page
© 1997-1998 United Nations ESCAP - All rights reserved. Last update 16 December 1997