Timorese PM urges Asia-Pacific to jointly confront challenges

BANGKOK, April 29 (TNA) - Visiting Timor-Leste's Prime Minister and Defence and Security Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao has urged countries in the Asian-Pacific region to jointly address regional challenges for the sustainable development of the world. Gusmao made the call during the opening of the 69th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), themed “Building Resilience to Natural Disasters and Major Economic Crises, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok on Monday, in which key figures of several other member countries participated, including Myanmar President Thein Sein and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo; while Thai Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi inaugurated the UN session on behalf of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. On the occasion, the Timorese prime minister, who was elected as the chair of “Ministerial Panel on Sustainable Development and the Development Agenda beyond 2015, called on Asia-Pacific countries to jointly develop the region, mentioning challenges namely natural disasters, economic and health problems and food security. The Timorese prime minister expressed his hope that solutions from the UN session will then lead to sustainable development of the world community. The annual meeting of the UN-ESCAP is a forum where countries in Asia and the Pacific exchange opinions and proposals for the sustainable and comprehensive development of the region. (TNA)