Mahathir to give talk at Asia Business Forum 

Bernama – 18 March 2006
BANGKOK: Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad are among Asia-Pacific's most prominent leaders scheduled to participate in the Third Asia-Pacific Business Forum (APBF 2006) to be held in Jakarta on April 7 and 8. 
Besides the duo, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) secretary-general Supachai Panitchpakdi are among a host of high-profile speakers who will discuss their ideas on how the public and private sectors could work together to ensure sustainable economic and social development in the region. 
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) said in a statement here Friday that over 400 corporate decision makers as well as representatives of government and civil society are also expected to attend the event. 
It will be held under the theme of "Public-Private Partnerships for Development in Asia and the Pacific". 
APBF 2006 is organised by UNESCAP in collaboration with Indonesia's government, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and International Chamber of Commerce. 
UNESCAP executive secretary Kim Hak-Su said the Asia-Pacific Business Forum provides a unique opportunity for business, government and civil society in the region to jointly discuss how to create an enabling environment for sustainable development. 
"Development of ICT (information and communications technology) and transport infrastructure, skilled trade negotiations, and environmentally sustainable technologies are critical for economic growth and this can only be achieved through strong public-private partnerships. UNESCAP is working to achieve the United Nations Development Goals. Active private sector engagement will reinforce these efforts," he said. 
Plenary sessions will discuss the role of public-private partnerships in overcoming impediments to development such as Pacific island connectivity through group negotiations and concerted partnerships. 
Six breakout sessions will also be held where senior business and government representatives and leading academics will discuss such topics as how public and private sectors could benefit from cooperation in the field of transport and ICT infrastructure development, poverty reduction, green business growth, trade negotiations and implementation of corporate social responsibility. 
The APBF is the only UNESCAP region-wide forum for dialogue between governments, private sectors and civil society. 
It is being organised back-to-back with the 62nd UNESCAP Commission Session and will be opened to policy makers, business representatives, civil society and academia from across the Asia Pacific region. 
Online registration for APBF 2006 as well as additional information on the meeting is available on the UNESCAP website at www.unescap.org/apbf
Source: Bernama | www.bernama.com