Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2009

The convergence of three global crises - an economic downturn, food and fuel price volatility, and climate change - on Asia and the Pacific, and what the region can do about them, is the focus of the 2009 edition of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific.

The flagship publication of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) - the regional arm of the UN - analyses the threats posed by these crises and outlines ways in which economies in the region can move forward.

The Survey concludes that some countries in the region are in a stronger position to not only help themselves, but others as well in smoothing the impact of the crisis and strengthening regional cooperation. Also, the converging crises could be turned into an opportunity to jumpstart a regional reorientation towards a more inclusive and sustainable development path.

The survey will be launched on Thursday, March 26, in over 20 cities across the region, including Colombo, and in New York and Geneva.