News for 'Economic and Social Commission for Asia'

After US, Israel cuts ties with several UN bodies

After US, Israel cuts ties with several UN bodies

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Following an examination and discussions held in the aftermath of the United States' decision to withdraw from dozens of international organisations, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa'ar, has decided that Jerusalem will immediately sever all contact with several United Nations agencies and international bodies, citing what the government described as persistent bias, politicisation and actions hostile to Israel.

Blow to climate action, US exits 66 global cooperation bodies

Blow to climate action, US exits 66 global cooperation bodies

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

President Donald Trump has withdrawn the United States from over 60 international organisations, including United Nations bodies and the India-France-led International Solar Alliance, calling the institutions 'redundant' and 'contrary' to America's interests.

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'For the first time in a hundred years, the army has been taken out of the political equation. And for the first time ever, there is only one man who calls the shots. Not even Mao had this kind of power.'

China's leadership meet to discuss graft in military, US tariff war

China's leadership meet to discuss graft in military, US tariff war

Rediff.com19 Oct 2025

China's ruling Communist Party is holding its annual leadership conclave to discuss the new five-year plan, the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariff war, and the ongoing anti-corruption crackdown in the military.

Op Sindoor: Diplomatic missions push for decisive anti-terror action

Op Sindoor: Diplomatic missions push for decisive anti-terror action

Rediff.com30 May 2025

All-party parliamentary delegations on Friday met leaders and diplomats from several countries to galvanise international action against terrorists and decisively counter the tactics of those who perpetrate, support and sponsor cross-border terror activities against India.

Trump tariffs: 'This is not a tax cut, this is a tax hike'

Trump tariffs: 'This is not a tax cut, this is a tax hike'

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

"These latest so-called 'Liberation Day' tariffs are reckless and self-destructive, inflicting financial pain on Illinois at a time when people are already struggling to keep their small businesses afloat and put food on the table."

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

'Gyanendra back on the throne would be bad news for the Nepali people. He may not have learnt from his experience, but we have.'

'Urbanisation in Asia-Pacific driving poverty'

'Urbanisation in Asia-Pacific driving poverty'

Rediff.com20 Mar 2008

The urban population of the Asia-Pacific region has been growing at the fastest rate in the world over the past 15 years, according to the Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific" released yesterday by the UN Economic and Social Commission. "This growth is having a knock-on effect," said Pietro Gennari, chief of ESCAP's Statistics Division. "We're seeing more and more people living in slums and also a negative effect on people's ability to access clean water.

Now, Trump says $21 million went to 'my friend Modi' for voter turnout

Now, Trump says $21 million went to 'my friend Modi' for voter turnout

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

United States President Donald Trump for the fourth time in recent days claimed that the Biden administration allocated $21 million funding to India for 'voter turnout', evoking a sharp response from the Congress which urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to 'talk to his friend' and strongly refute the allegation.

Asia-Pacific development needs $600 bn

Asia-Pacific development needs $600 bn

Rediff.com11 Apr 2006

A staggering $600 billion a year is needed for infrastructure development in the entire Asia-Pacific region, the United Nations has estimated.

Asia-Pacific bubble may burst: UN report

Asia-Pacific bubble may burst: UN report

Rediff.com1 Sep 2006

The UNESCAP has warned Asia-Pacific region's governments to protect and prepare against sudden or unexpected market downturns rather than remaining complacent in the current atmosphere of prosperity.

Modi, Macron fly together to Marseille, open new Indian consulate

Modi, Macron fly together to Marseille, open new Indian consulate

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have called for enhancing trade and investment ties between their countries and committed to further deepening their engagement in the Indo-Pacific. They discussed a full spectrum of bilateral relations, including key global and regional issues, and stressed the urgent need for reform in the United Nations Security Council. The leaders also underscored their commitment to ensuring the global AI sector can drive positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

India The Diplomatic Ambassador In Global Crises

India The Diplomatic Ambassador In Global Crises

Rediff.com16 Sep 2024

Times have changed, situations have changed, but the basic nature of superpower geo-politics remains the same and so also India's diplomacy -- call it non-alignment, strategic autonomy or neutrality; it all depends on the time scale, notes Rup Narayan Das.

China sees red over new US-led Indo-Pacific grouping, calls it 'economic Nato'

China sees red over new US-led Indo-Pacific grouping, calls it 'economic Nato'

Rediff.com24 May 2022

As US President Joe Biden launched a new trade deal with 12 Indo-Pacific nations, including India, to enhance trade, economic and investment opportunities, China, which sees the pact as a threat to its dominance in the region, went on the offensive against it, promising more opening up, while the official media here termed it as "economic Nato".

'America Is In For A Period Of Extended Domestic Turmoil'

'America Is In For A Period Of Extended Domestic Turmoil'

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

'Trump's disregard for norms and institutions could prove very costly for America's social fabric.'

Food inflation a concern in India: UNESCAP

Food inflation a concern in India: UNESCAP

Rediff.com6 May 2010

A United Nations expert body on Thursday said surge in food prices in India is a matter of concern, but retail price inflation will cool down to 7.5 per cent this year from around 12 per cent last year.

'Cancelling Adani Project Not Good Sign'

'Cancelling Adani Project Not Good Sign'

Rediff.com30 Sep 2024

'If there is a push towards a Marxist oriented government it will be dangerous.' 'We have seen this in Nepal and Myanmar and it will be a concern for India if it is surrounded by countries with such political dispensations.'

168,491 Lives Lost In Road Mishaps

168,491 Lives Lost In Road Mishaps

Rediff.com13 Nov 2023

33 per cent of all road accidents and 35 per cent of fatal accidents took place on national highways and expressways.

'Who Does Not Want To Be Prime Minister?'

'Who Does Not Want To Be Prime Minister?'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

'We are going to need more technical people in government.' 'You can't expect a generalist to understand the complicated world of financial engineering.' 'I regret to say that most of our politicians have no competence to deal with these things. Nor is there a willingness to learn.'

Poor-rich gap growing in India, Asia-Pacific: United Nations

Poor-rich gap growing in India, Asia-Pacific: United Nations

Rediff.com3 Oct 2014

The wide gap in national income held by the ultra-rich and the poor is striking.

Home demand to cushion US recession impact: Escap

Home demand to cushion US recession impact: Escap

Rediff.com28 Mar 2008

A recession in the US and a steeper depreciation of the dollar will not have much impact on India, a United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap) report has said. On most other economics of the region, like Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore, the impact would be harsh, The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2008 said.

UN report pegs GDP growth at 8.3% in FY11

UN report pegs GDP growth at 8.3% in FY11

Rediff.com6 May 2010

The growth outlook is higher than the Reserve Bank's projection of 8 per cent but at the lower end of the finance ministry's forecast of 8.25-8.75 per cent.

19 deaths every hour in India due to road accident in 2022

19 deaths every hour in India due to road accident in 2022

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

The report showed that 53 road accidents take place every hour in the country.

'Narasimha Rao was a prime minister with an open mind'

'Narasimha Rao was a prime minister with an open mind'

Rediff.com2 May 2023

'Narasimha Rao asked me why China was doing so well in attracting foreign investments and I gave my frank opinion.' 'I told him that giving thrust to exports had to be a national effort.' 'But in India, the system was very centralised in the Government of India and the state governments had no role to play.'

India beats China to win crucial election to UN commission on women

India beats China to win crucial election to UN commission on women

Rediff.com15 Sep 2020

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The 54-member ECOSOC, holding the first plenary meeting of its 2021 session in the General Assembly Hall on Monday, held elections for two seats in the Asia-Pacific States category with Afghanistan, India and China in the fray.

Indian economy to grow 5.9% in 2012-13: UN agency

Indian economy to grow 5.9% in 2012-13: UN agency

Rediff.com18 Oct 2012

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific said ndia's growth has been slowing down since 2011, mainly on account of 'severe' monetary tightening by the Reserve Bank of India.

UN report sees India growing at 7.6% in 2017

UN report sees India growing at 7.6% in 2017

Rediff.com2 Dec 2016

"India's economy is projected to sustain a 7.6 per cent growth rate in both fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18," says the year-end update of the flagship report Economic and Social Survey for Asia and the Pacific 2016 of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Role India can play to ease food, fuel crisis

Role India can play to ease food, fuel crisis

Rediff.com26 May 2011

G20 needs to leverage its clout to play a more proactive role in stabilising food and fuel prices.

Nath hails loan waiver as revolution

Nath hails loan waiver as revolution

Rediff.com27 Mar 2008

Launching the annual survey of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said the government has started a 'revolution' in farming sector by waiving farm loans of Rs 60,000 crore. He said improving the agriculture sector is an important challenge for the Asia-Pacific region & deserves a 'serious response'. The report would open up solutions to the socio-economic issues across the region Nath said on the occasion.

'The level of isolation in North Korea was amazing'

'The level of isolation in North Korea was amazing'

Rediff.com2 May 2023

'In 1984, Pyongyang just had one hotel and one could not move out without an official escort.' 'India was the only country with an embassy, apart from the socialist countries.'

India to grow 7-7.5% in 2005-07

India to grow 7-7.5% in 2005-07

Rediff.com25 Apr 2005

India is likely to post an impressive growth of 7.2 per cent this year and 7.3 per cent next year despite an overall slowdown in Asia-Pacific region due to adverse effects of tsunami and oil price shocks, a United Nations report said on Monday.

UN-ESCAP projects 9% growth for India

UN-ESCAP projects 9% growth for India

Rediff.com27 Mar 2008

"India's economy has entered into a 'new phase of high growth', with expansion of nine per cent forecast for 2008, buoyed by investment and savings amid increasing productive capacity," UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) survey released in New Delhi on Thursday said. Indian economy is expected to grow by 8.7 per cent during 2007-08 and many think-tanks expect moderation in growth in the coming fiscal.

Infrastructure? Tap public-private funds

Infrastructure? Tap public-private funds

Rediff.com30 Mar 2006

A United Nations' body has called for greater public and private spending for upgrading critical areas of India's infrastructure, a key driver of the economy, and said a bulk of these investment need to be generated internally.

India signs Asian highway pact

India signs Asian highway pact

Rediff.com27 Apr 2004

UN body confers award on Amartya Sen

UN body confers award on Amartya Sen

Rediff.com29 Mar 2007

Nobel laureate Amratya Sen has been conferred Lifetime Achievement Award by UNESCAP as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.

India must look beyond IT jobs: ESCAP

India must look beyond IT jobs: ESCAP

Rediff.com30 Mar 2006

"Can the revolution in the information technology sector in India resolve India's unemployment problems and the other ills in its labour markets? Certainly not," the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific survey said.

The curious case of $1-billion SBI loan to debt ridden-Sri Lanka

The curious case of $1-billion SBI loan to debt ridden-Sri Lanka

Rediff.com31 May 2022

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on March 17 had announced that State Bank of India (SBI) would extend a term loan of $1 billion to Sri Lanka, fully guaranteed by the Indian government, and this was part of India's financial aid to the troubled island nation. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted saying by news agency PTI that the loan would be used for importing food, medicines, and other essential items. "India has always stood with the people of Sri Lanka and we will continue to extend all possible support at this juncture.

Foreign banks lag behind PSBs, Indian pvt banks

Foreign banks lag behind PSBs, Indian pvt banks

Rediff.com26 Dec 2002

Though foreign banks outperformed domestic banks in quality services, they could not match the latter as public sector banks reigned supreme on the strength of their superior reach.

India's New Silk Route

India's New Silk Route

Rediff.com9 Oct 2023

The enduring legacy of trade routes lies in shared stories and religious diversity. Can the India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor harness this legacy to empower nations, asks Arundhuti Dasgupta.

India's external debt to be $102.3 bn till March

India's external debt to be $102.3 bn till March

Rediff.com17 Apr 2003

India transformed from a moderate to low indebted country with a fall in debt-GDP ratio to 20 per cent and foreign debt was slated to be at $102.3 billion in March 2003, a United Nations survey said on Thursday.