Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is  expected to be nominated as chairman of the 71st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) today.

It will happen after the opening addresses, including the executive secretary’s welcome and policy address.

Acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Esala Nayasi yesterday said from Bangkok that the PM had the support of many member countries.

The chair of the 70th sesssion was the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay.

His chairmanship, which was for one year, has ended.

The UNESCAP chairman, will guide the work of the commission for a period of one year.

From what he had gathered at the sidelines of the meeting, Mr Nayasi said Bhutan would make the nomination and it would be seconded by South Korea.

UNESCAP is the most comprehensive of the UN’s five Regional Commissions and the largest UN body serving the Asia and Pacific region, home to 4.1billion people.

The commission meets annually at the ministerial level to review and discuss important economic and social issues pertaining to inclusive and sustainable development in the region.

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