 Experts from four major international agencies met in Thailand on June 1-3 to review progress in the preparation of the first State of Asian Cities Report.
The report is being prepared by UN-HABITAT Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Region and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, in partnership with United Cities and Local Governments, Asia-Pacific Section and United Nations Environment Programme – Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. The report is part of the series of Regional State of Cities Reports initiated by the UN-HABITAT’s Regional and Technical Cooperation Division. UN-HABITAT Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Region is leading the preparation of the report, which aims to look into the existing situation related to demography, economy, poverty and inequality, urban environment and urban governance in the cities and towns of Asia and the Pacific region. To review the draft of the report, enrich its content and broaden inputs to its preparation, UN-HABITAT Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Region and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific organized an Expert Group Meeting from 1 to 3 June 2009 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Expert Group Meeting was jointly chaired by Mr. Daniel Biau, Director, Regional Technical Cooperation Division, UN-HABITAT and Mr. Kioe Sheng Yap, Chief, Social Protection and Social Justice Section, Social Development Division, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. The main features of the draft report were presented by the lead consultant, Dr. Dinesh Mehta. An Expert Group drawn from academia and financial and training institutions, and the key representatives of UN-HABITAT, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, United Cities and Local Governments, Asia-Pacific Section and United Nations Environment Programme – Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific reviewed the draft report. The Expert Group provided insights and comments to enrich the content of the Report with specific data, case studies and relevant research. The next steps include: finalisation of draft report text; its substantive and language editing and graphic design; publication by the end of 2009; to be followed by the launch at the Fifth World Urban Forum in Rio de Janeiro in March 2010. |
