Thailand hosts APMD Aug 26-28

BANKGOK, August 26 (TNA) - Thailand hosts the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Dialogue (APMD) from August 26-28, during which the Kingdom's proposed development plans for the United Nations are part of the agenda. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul inaugurated the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Dialogue:From the Millennium Development Goals to the United Nations Development Agenda beyond 2015 (APMD) at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok on Monday morning. The APMD, jointly organized by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), is the first policy-level meeting in Asia and the Pacific after the presentation of the Report of the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons (HLP) on the Post 2015 Development Agenda to the secretary-general of the United Nations on May 30, 2013. The meeting is aimed at being a regional forum for discussions on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, as the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will expire in 2015. Policies from the regional forum will be presented to the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, held at the UN headquarters in New York, next month. Through the APMD, Thailand demonstrates its proactive roles in directing international development, which boost the image of the country and the Thai government, as well as confidence in the Kingdom in the international community and cooperation with the UN-ESCAP, which is based in Bangkok. (TNA)