ESCAP

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

UNESCAP
Map showing United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific members`
Abbreviation	ESCAP
Formation	1947
Type	Primary Organ – Regional Branch
Legal status	Active
Headquarters	Bangkok, Thailand
Head	Executive Secretary of ESCAP Ms. Shamshad Akhtar  Pakistan (2014 - present)
Parent organization	ECOSOC
Website	www.unescap.org

Executive Secretary of ESCAP

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP or ESCAP), located in the United Nations Building in Rajadamnern Nok Avenue in Bangkok, Thailand, is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, under the administrative direction of the United Nations headquarters. It was established in 1947 (then as the UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, ECAFE) to encourage economic cooperation among its member states. The name was changed to the current in 1974. ESCAP has 53 member States and nine Associate members. As well as countries in Asia and the Pacific, it includes France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

ESCAP's regional focus is managing globalization through programs in environmentally sustainable development, trade, and human rights. ESCAP is headed by Executive Secretary Shamshad Akhtar of Pakistan. Following her appointment on 3 February 2014 it was announced that under her leadership, ESCAP will place a greater emphasis on promoting higher, well-balanced and sustainable regional growth that helps eradicate poverty and generates jobs to improve prosperity in the region.

ESCAP works to overcome some of the region's greatest challenges by providing results oriented projects, technical assistance and capacity building to member States in the following areas: