Delegates Convene for Social Development Session
Policymakers and experts are gathering to address regional poverty and population aging, Mirage News reported. The ninth session of the Committee on Social Development, convened by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), seeks to align social policies and bolster social protection networks throughout the area.
The week-long meeting focuses on practical ways to alleviate poverty, respond to demographic shifts, and invest heavily in the care economy. Officials will examine how countries can build more resilient societies to ensure development benefits reach every community.
Launching the Social Outlook Report
The session features the official launch of the Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific 2026: Eradicating Poverty and Empowering People. This comprehensive report analyzes poverty trends across the region and demonstrates that deprivation extends far beyond basic income shortages.
According to the findings, multidimensional poverty includes inadequate sanitation, poor housing conditions, and severely limited access to education. To combat these deprivations, the report calls for coordinated investments in human capital, inclusive social protection frameworks, decent work initiatives, and the solidarity economy.
Renewing Regional Cooperation Commitments
Member states will use the committee meetings to renew their formal commitments to two major regional frameworks. Such instruments involve the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing alongside the Action Plan to Strengthen Regional Cooperation on Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific.
Delegates are also initiating preparations for the Fifth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid plan. Representatives from various countries will share national policy experiences and discuss strategies for advancing comprehensive and resilient care systems across borders.
ESCAP Convenes the Ninth Session in Bangkok
Who is convening the ninth session of the Committee on Social Development?
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is convening the ninth session of the Committee on Social Development.
What major report is debuting during the Bangkok session?
The session features the launch of the Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific 2026: Eradicating Poverty and Empowering People, which examines income and multidimensional poverty trends across the region.
Which regional frameworks are member states reviewing during the meetings?
Participants are reaffirming their dedication to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Action Plan to Strengthen Regional Cooperation on Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific.
Keep reading