As part of a global effort, 18 countries in the Asia-Pacific Region are set to conduct surveys to measure what progress they have made in implementing the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. The aim is to accelerate the momentum for changes at country level in how governments and donors do business – to increase aid’s impact on each country’s ability to reach the Millennium Development Goals. The survey launch, held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on 10-11 November, was organized by UNDP’s Asia-Pacific Regional Centre in partnership with the Government of Cambodia, OECD, Japan and Korea, and benefitted 100 participants from all 18 countries participating in the survey from Asia and the Pacific.

On Sunday 31st October, as the former king’s birthday celebrations were drawing to a close, 100 people boarded boats on the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh to mark the 1st Meeting of States Parties (MSP) of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR from 9-12 November.

Welcome RemarksMs. Elena Tischenko, UNDP Country Directorat theAsia-Pacific Paris Declaration Survey Launch Workshop Siem Reap, Cambodia, 10-11 November, 2010Excellency Keat Chhon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Royal Government of CambodiaMr. Masugi Noriharu, Deputy Director, Operations Strategy Department, JICAExcellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The United Nations-backed tribunal in Cambodia dealing with mass killings and other crimes committed under the Khmer Rouge three decades ago is crucial in the world’s fight against impunity, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday, the second day of his visit to the South-East Asian nation.  Read more...

Secretary General's Message for UN Day 2010On United Nations Day, I express my great appreciation to the millions of people throughout the world who believe deeply in our work for peace, development and human rights… and who uphold our ideals and help us achieve our goals.  To all of you… friends and fellow citizens of the world… I say: thank you.Sixty-five years ago on this date, the founding Charter of the United Nations entered into force.  Every year on UN Day, we reaffirm our global mission.  We reassert the universal values of tolerance, mutual respect and human dignity.  And we recognize the progress we have made together: gains in literacy and life expectancy… the spread of knowledge and technology... advances in democracy and the rule of law.But above all, UN Day is a day on which we resolve to do more.  More to protect those caught up in armed conflict, to fight climate change and avert nuclear catastrophe; more to expand opportunities for women and girls, and to combat injustice and impunity; more to meet the Millennium Development Goals.Last month’s MDG Summit at the United Nations generated political momentum… as well as financial commitments that are especially significant in these difficult economic times.  I am determined to press ahead as the 2015 deadline approaches.Despite our problems, despite polarization and distrust, our interconnected world has opened up vast new possibilities for common progress.  Let us commit to do even more to realize the great vision set out in the UN Charter. Ban Ki-moonWatch video message