1 Promoting South-South Cooperation on Child Rights in Asia-Pacific United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific High Level Meeting on Cooperation for Child Rights in the Asia-Pacific Region Beijing, 4-6 November 2010

Overview UN – global framework for South-South cooperation ESCAP – Asia-Pacific platform for South-South cooperation Opportunities to strengthen regional South- South cooperation on child rights

UN – global framework for SSC Driven by developing countries – Group of 77 Key modality for UN, including for MDG achievement Reflects increasing role of developing countries in UN Based on principles of: Partnership amongst equals, based on solidarity National sovereignty, ownership, leadership and freedom from conditionality Complements other forms of international cooperation (e.g. North-South)

UN – global framework for SSC (Contd) Underpinned by international commitments: Buenos Aires Plan of Action & New Directions Strategy for Technical Cooperation among Development Countries (1978) Nairobi Outcome Document from UN High Level Meeting on SSC (December 2009) Supported by Special Unit for South-South Cooperation & SSC national focal points Regional Commissions – regional platform for promoting SSC

ESCAP – regional arm of UN for Asia-Pacific Part of UN Secretariat 62 member states – 58 are regional members Most comprehensive UN regional platform dedicated to development Covers worlds most populous region - two thirds of humanity Members range from worlds largest to some of smallest

ESCAP – regional arm of UN for Asia-Pacific Fosters: regional cooperation to promote social and economic development normative, analytical & technical cooperation work of regional nature Exercises regional intergovernmental convening power Mandated by ECOSOC to coordinate regional UN system work in economic and social sectors Focuses on multi-disciplinary responses

Platform for South-South cooperation in Asia-Pacific ESCAP member States called for: Stronger leadership in promoting South-South cooperation as a key instrument or enhancing development assistance in the region Almaty Declaration, May 2007

Platform for SSC in Asia-Pacific (Contd) Annual Commission session (ministerial) 8 Committees on thematic areas Ministerial Conferences/High-Level Meetings on specific themes & issues ESCAP Intergovernmental Conference

Platform for SSC in Asia-Pacific (Contd) Intergovernmental dialogue & consensus building on transnational issues Development of shared priorities & regional solutions to common problems Policy advocacy & options Analysis of regional trends, issues, gaps & policy options (joint MDG Report with ADB and UNDP; Annual Statistical Survey)

Platform for SSC in Asia-Pacific (Contd) Links with sub-regional processes – SAARC, ASEAN, PIF, SPC, ECO, SCO Access to experience of other regions through 4 other Regional Commissions Ability to link Asian & Pacific experience Links with civil society & other stakeholders at regional level Priority on LDCs, LLDCs & Pacific island developing countries

Platform for SSC in Asia-Pacific (Contd) ESCAP work programme – focus on: inclusive & sustainable development addressing development gaps, including MDG achievement regional connectivity Capacity development through: sharing of good practice, knowledge & lessons technical cooperation

SSC in Asia-Pacific – regional context Increasing momentum & dynamism for SSC Reinforced by triple crises (economic, food and fuel) Brings increased opportunities for scaling-up Diversity of ESCAP members - rich opportunities for sharing good practices, experience, knowledge and skills Rise of pivotal counties within region – e.g. China, India, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand Potential for increased triangular cooperation

SSC for child rights in Asia-Pacific Focus of SSC to date on trade, ICT, transport Growing cooperation in other areas –disaster risk reduction, environment, gender, disability, migration, social protection Potential for increased SSC on child rights at regional level Conference offers opportunity ESCAP as intergovernmental platform

SSC for child rights – foundations to build on Existing sub-regional cooperation SAARC, ASEAN, PIF, SPC, ECO, SCO transnational initiatives (e.g. migration, human trafficking, HIV/AIDS) Important to building on existing momentum, including:

Foundations to build on Recent ESCAP initiatives which mainstream child rights & protection: Gender – Beijing + 15 review, November 2009 International migration – High Level Meeting, September 2010 Statistics capacity building – VAW statistics workshop, September 2010 Disability –Committee on Social Development, October 2010 Social protection – Stakeholder Consultation, October 2010

Way Forward on SCC for child rights Governments prioritize child rights within ESCAP policy processes Further mainstream into existing regional SSC initiatives Build on existing sub-regional initiatives and role of pivotal countries Increase triangular cooperation Prioritise child rights within regional analysis, including on MDGs

Way Forward Strengthen national statistical capacity to inform policy & programmes, including at regional level Increase engagement of civil society in SCC for child rights at regional level Document & disseminate good practices in regional SSC for application in other areas, including child rights Strengthen focus on results

Now, more than ever, is the time to focus on innovative South-South cooperation, as the challenges we face collectively can only be overcome together Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Message for UN Day for South-South cooperation, December 2007

Thank you