29 April 2011

A high level technical consultation on HIV-sensitive social protection took place in Siem Reap, Cambodia from 27 to 29 April 2011. Through discussions and analytical papers, the meeting looked at the social protection situation in the region, with a specific focus on HIV and impact mitigation. Leading experts in social protection issues, HIV specialists, economists and leaders of People Living with LHIV movement, and participants from governments, civil society, UN and other stakeholders examined the strengths/weaknesses of the most successful social protection schemes and their adaptability in the context of HIV-related impact in relevant settings. The APRC HIV, Health and Development team partnered with UNICEF, UNAIDS, ILO, and APN+ to organize the event.

Consultations for the Asia-Pacific Human Development Report on Climate Change

On April 27 in New Delhi, India and on April 29 in Beijing, China stakeholder consultations for the Asia-Pacific Human Development Report on 'Climate Change' helped to identify country specific perspectives and priorities on climate change and human development, looking through the lens of human vulnerabilities. The discussions allowed for a broad range of views from a  cross section participants from UNDP's Human Development Report Unit, UNDP Country Offices, Government partners, civil society, academia and think tanks, and media institutions. The national stakeholders shared their understanding of the realities, challenges and opportunities of climate change. They highlighted concrete policy ideas and actual actions in production, green technology, energy efficient transport ;consumer awareness; green growth market opportunities and effective regulation; opportunities for sustainable cities; planned adaptation that could contribute to global thinking. The consultations will help to promote national buy-in for the APHDR and strengthen advocacy potential at national and regional level.

Twenty five journalists participated at a workshop in the UN Information Centre in Delhi, aimed at building media capacity on a variety of LDCs-related issues: role of trade/aid/ODA; assistance to achieving the MDGs; growth versus human development; promoting South-South trade and debt relief.  In a panel of four UN resource persons from ESCAP, UNDP and UNIDO, the Leader of the APRC Poverty Reduction and MDGs team, interacted with the media participants at the workshop.  South Asia is home to five of 14 LDCs in the Asia-Pacific region. With the increased challenges that the LDCs are confronting, it is more important than ever to ensure that the Fourth UN LDC Conference, and its preparations, involve a wide range of stakeholders, and especially representatives of civil society and media.

to strengthen early warning systems (EWS) for extreme weather events in Southeast Asia. The communities in the sub-region have been severely affected by extreme weather events: Tropical Cyclones Nargis (Myanmar 2008), Morakot (Philippines, China, Taiwan in 2009), Ketsana, Parma and Mirinae affecting the Philippines, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand in 2009. In response to these recent abnormal weather events combined with poor EWS and preparedness capacities, the Regional Crisis Prevention and Recovery team developed a regional project aimed at strengthening EWS for extreme weather events in Southeast Asia. The project will be funded by the UNESCAP- managed Trust Fund and targets Cambodia and Timor-Leste, both classified as LDCs. The RCPR team will leverage support from its existing regional and national actors engaged in development of standard operating procedures in assessing vulnerabilities. The project will contribute to and provide the building blocks for stronger adaptive capacities to the challenges posed by climate change.

More than 70 colleagues from 13 UNDP Country Offices and 6 UN sister agencies participated at the regional  training organized by the APRC Operation Support Team and  Management Support Unit during April 25-29 in Bangkok.  Sessions on Finance issues, IT, Human Resources, Procurement, Administrative services alternated with tailored trainings and thematic clinics.  From ATLAS overview and budget control, through M&E and procurement rules, to RBM and IPSAS updates, the participants exchanged a great deal of knowledge, contacts, and ideas. The complete collection of presentations and documents is accessible here.

Asia-Pacific Regional Centre • Bangkok 10200 • G.P.O. Box 618, Bangkok 10501 • Thailand
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