What’s New

17 May 2013
Experts and Young People Call for Increased Respect for the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) People in Asia

Quezon City—Experts and youth from East and South-East Asia called on the government and other authorities to protect the human rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people during a forum marking the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) at the University of the Philippines(UP)-Diliman.

LGBT activists emphasized the importance of enacting anti-discrimination laws, particularly in education, health, employment, family affairs, media, community and politics in a public discussion convened by the United Nations Development Programme, United States Agency for International Development and its Regional Development Mission for Asia, and UP.

Panelists presented the impacts of discrimination against LGBT people in education and employment, where LGBT people suffer human rights violations. More...

06 May 2013
Promoting Local Election Management as Part of an Electoral Cycle Approach

This paper examines different modalities used by various countries in the Asia-Pacific region to administer local elections and demonstrates the impact of management practices on electoral cycle approaches, the delivery of elections, and the provision of assistance. The paper also makes broad policy recommendations for contexts where assistance providers may choose to target programs and where election management bodies may decide to focus local level capacity strengthening initiatives.

The paper targets countries in the Asia-Pacific region that are planning for local elections. It has relevance for a number of stakeholders including electoral management bodies, political parties, parliament, government ministries, civil society and international organizations.

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29 April 2013
Zero Hunger Challenge Comes to Asia and the Pacific

Bangkok — The United Nations launched the Zero Hunger Challenge in Asia and the Pacific here today in the presence of top national leaders, calling on governments, farmers, scientists, business, civil society and consumers to join hands to end hunger in the region where the majority of the world’s undernourished people live.

“We cannot rest while so many people go hungry in a world where there is enough food for all,” United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told the launch ceremony which was attended by the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Security of Timor-Leste, Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Mr. Gordon Darcy Lilo, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, Mr. Yukol Limlamthong. More...

 

09 April 2013
Singer Alexandra Bounxouei appointed UNDP’s Goodwill Ambassador for Lao PDR

Vientiane — United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has appointed Ms. Alexandra Bounxouei as its first National Goodwill Ambassador for Lao PDR. The announcement was made today at a press conference held in the UN House.

Alexandra Bounxouei is a 25-year old Lao national who is well known in Lao PDR and Thailand for her successful singing career as well as her acting roles in Thai television.

Speaking at the press conference, UNDP resident Representative Minh Pham said: “National Goodwill Ambassadors can play a meaningful role in articulating and advocating development messages. As a public figure, they can use their status to reach diverse audiences and help influence decision makers, political leaders and donors to remain committed to the goals of UNDP.” More...

05 April 2013
Accelerated action needed with 1,000 days to go on Millennium Development Goals
Asia and Pacific lags behind in infant and maternal mortality, and access to water and sanitation

Bangkok — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its partners across Asia and the Pacific are today observing the milestone of 1,000 days to the end of 2015 – the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

Starting today (5 April) – the actual milestone date – through to Friday 12 April, UN offices around the world are working with governments, civil society and international partners to mark “MDG Momentum: 1,000 Days of Action” in a variety of ways.

“The MDGs are the most successful global anti-poverty push in history,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. “The Goals have helped set global and national priorities, mobilize action, and achieve remarkable results.”

The eight time-bound MDGs address poverty and hunger, education, gender equality, child mortality, maternal health, combatting AIDS, malaria and other diseases, environmental sustainability and a global partnership for development. More...

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04 April 2013
Art Exhibit by Sex Workers from ASEAN countries “Yet, still we dance!”

‘Yet, still we dance’ was a unique art exhibit with works created by sex workers from eight ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. More than 50 sex worker artists were involved in creating this exhibit using a range of mediums including sculpture, painting, fabric, and photography. It ran for 10 days at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. The aim was to create a space in which sex workers could show their art, and through these pieces, another perspective on sex work and sex workers.

Sex work, HIV, stigma and discrimination are inter-related. Over the course of the 30-year HIV history, sex workers have been associated as the main ‘drivers’ of HIV. As they are often portrayed as the main vector through which HIV is transmitted, sex workers face increasing levels of stigma and discrimination. More...

 

28 March 2013
Stay tuned! New UNDP/Discovery Channel documentary 'One Simple Solution'

For 1.3 billion of the Earth's people, energy production infrastructure is not available for heating, cooking or even lighting one's way. Yet, in some of the poorest and most remote areas of Asia, innovative solutions are powering local communities and changing people's lives. UNDP's 'Inside Out: One Simple Solution' travels to Nepal, India and the Philippines to uncover the amazing and simple solutions that are being found to solve one of the world's toughest problems, energy poverty.  The documentary will be premiered on Discovery Asia on World Environment Day, 5 June 2013. More...

 

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