Samoa hosted the global launch of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2015 at the National University of Samoa yesterday.
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The report is the flagship publication of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (E.S.C.A.P).
The survey analyses the economic growth performance of the region and considers the challenges countries face in sharing the benefits of growth.
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Lizbeth Cullity, said the survey helps to navigate the region through global economic uncertainties by providing policy options.
“Asia-Pacific countries have made remarkable progress in poverty reduction, health, education, gender parity and environment sustainability,” she said.
“The proportion of people living on less than US$1.25 per day fell from 53 per cent in 1990 to 14 per cent in 2012 and is expected to further reduce to 12 per cent by the end of this year.”
Ms. Cullity said the Survey argues that although economic growth has been accompanied by significant declines in poverty, it is important to remember that development is more than just growth and poverty.
“To successfully implement the post-2015 agenda, we will need to focus even more on data, technology and innovation that can help us attain transformational impact on the lives of the poor and excluded groups,” she said. “The report recommends strategies at the global, regional and national levels for developing, disseminating and financing technologies supporting simultaneously economic growth and human development.”
Speaking at the launch, Associate Professor Development Studies at N.U.S, Dr Penelope Schoeffel, said the survey is a great achievement for the region.
She congratulated the E.S.C.A.P and said the survey will provide the N.U.S students with insightful snapshots of the challenges faced by the region.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa, Maiava Atalina Enari, provided some perspectives as an Expert Panellist.
“The wide recognition of E.S.C.A.P members’ diversity and specificities are key to effective policy design, advice and decisions going forward,” she said.
“Therefore, the adverse effect of international financial regulation and its sensible implementation matters as it will have immense repercussions on Samoa’s economic development.
“The significance of remittances to the Samoan economy (19 percent of GDP) and its important role in development need not be forgotten.
“Ongoing international efforts to reduce the cost of sending remittances should continue to be pursued.
“Samoa has further strengthened its AML-CFT monitoring and supervision to minimize and deter illegal activities. Samoa also urges commercial banks abroad to assess AML-CFT on a case by case basis, and not on a wholesale closure of money transfer operators’ agents bank accounts abroad.”
Fiji-based, Maiava Iosefa Maiava, of E.S.C.A.P, provided an overview of the report’s findings.
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