Pacific

Asian highway network to spread across continent after landmark deal - UN

21 November 2003
The Asian Highway network will be extended across 32 countries over the whole of the continent after delegates to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reached a landmark agreement this week.

Cargo train makes first rail trip between China and Mongolia - UN commission

7 November 2003
The railways of China and Mongolia will start cargo train service tomorrow between Tianjin port, east of Beijing, and Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, as part of a project to connect Asia and Europe by rail, the United Nations regional commission for Asia and the Pacific said today.

Annan urges Pacific region countries to keep working with UN to prevent conflict

18 August 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged island countries in the Pacific region to continue collaborating with the world body, particularly in preventing conflict, and cited the crisis in the Solomon Islands as a "challenge of immediate concern."

Despite striking successes Asia-Pacific region faces huge social challenges – UN

4 June 2003
While the Asia-Pacific region has achieved “one of the largest decreases in mass poverty in human history,” huge challenges still exist in basic education, gender equality, child health, maternal mortality and environmental sustainability, according to a United Nations report released today in Bangkok.

Timor-Leste admitted to UN economic and social commission for Asia-Pacific

25 April 2003
Timor-Leste was admitted today to the regional arm of the United Nations responsible for promoting economic and social development through cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific.

Iraq, SARS cloud UN forecast of Asia-Pacific region's economic growth

17 April 2003
While a new United Nations report forecasts continued growth in the Asia-Pacific economies, that positive trend could be jeopardized by new domestic and global challenges.

UN official calls for full Asian-Pacific participation in world trade forum

31 March 2003
Making a plea for multilateral cooperation, a senior United Nations official today called for full membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO) by Asian and Pacific states that had yet to join.