OHRLLS Press Release:
Agreement on the Asian Highway Network

26 November 2003
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK

Welcoming the landmark agreement reached yesterday in Bangkok on the Asian Highway Network, Mr. Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, commented that it will contribute in a major way to the full and effective implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action, that addresses the transit transport needs of Landlocked Developing Countries and their transit partners, which was adopted at a United Nations global conference held in Kazakhstan last August.

As the Asian Highway Network extends to as many as 32 countries of the continent, transit transport needs of many landlocked and transit developing countries will be better served through this communication network. He urged the early completion of the network following the formal signing of the agreement in Shanghai, China in April 2004. The High Representative congratulated the Executive Secretary of ESCAP Mr. Kim Hak-Su for his leadership and guidance in the process leading to this Agreement.

* * *