H.E. MS. BATTSETSEG BATMUNKH, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECTED AS A CHAIR OF 80TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION

The 80th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) commenced in Bangkok, Thailand, on 22 April with the theme "Leveraging digital innovation for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific".

Minister for Foreign Affairs Battsetseg Batmunkh, who is attending in the 80th Session of the UN ESCAP, received the session's chaimanship from Fekitamoeloa Katoa Utoikamanu, the Chair of the 79th Session and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tonga, on 22 April 2024.

In her opening speech, the Chair of the 80th Session of the Commission and Minister for Foreign Affairs Battsetseg Batmunkh emphasized the importance of digital innovation in enhancing regional implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that at the intersection of technological progress and climate change, we must harness digital innovation to address current challenges and achieve a sustainable future. She noted that the development of digital innovation offers significant opportunities for sustainable development in various fields, including energy, transport, agriculture and health.

As the Session addressed a critical topic of regional importance, the chair called UN ESCAP to shrengthen the link between digital innovation and sustainable development, and to support strategic cooperation to share best practices and technologies.