Asia Pacific policy makers convene ahead of G20 meeting

 The  High-level  Consultation  on  the G20 Cannes Summit: Perspectives from Asia-Pacific  has  been  convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission  for  Asia  and  the  Pacific  (ESCAP) to provide a platform for
countries  in  the  region  to  coordinate  their  voice and for developing countries,   including  the  least  developed  countries,  to  raise  their priorities  in respect to the global economy and the initiatives led by the G20.
 The consultation will focus on economic and social priorities of developing countries  in  the  region,  including  commodity  prices  volatility, food security and reform of the international monetary and financial system.
 A  statement  will be issued by the Consultation on October 12, setting out broad  principles and concrete policy recommendations from the region to be communicated to the G20 chair.
 Dr.  Noeleen  Heyzer,  under-Secretary-General  of  the  United Nations and executive  secretary of ESCAP will open the meeting. Other speakers ministers and officials from Maldives, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan.
 Representatives   of   the   Intergovernmental   Group  of  Twenty-Four  on International Monetary Affairs and Development (G24) and the United Nations Conference  on  Trade  and Development (UNCTAD) will also attend along with
ESCAP experts.
 Set up in the wake of the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s, the G20 brings together developed and key developing nations on key issues relating to  global  economic  stability.  The  current  G20  French  presidency has
highlighted  international  monetary and financial system reform, combating commodity  price  volatility,  improved food security and strengthening the social dimensions of globalisation as among G20 priorities.