Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
Colleagues from UN agencies, the World Bank and ADB,
Members of the NGO community and the Media,

    I have been asked to give a brief background of this conference, which I will do. But I note that the packet of documentation we all have, provides ample background information. So please forgive me if I veer off to make a few other remarks as well.
   
    Ten years ago the sunny beaches of Jomtien - just a 100 miles from here - welcomed us to a historic World Conference on Education for All. The World Declaration and Framework of Action adopted at Jomtien Promulgated an "Expanded Vision of Basic Education". All of our countries and the organizations we represent, have been working hard to implement that vision.

    The mid-decade review carried out in Amman, Jordan in 1996 and the end-decade assessments being carried out right now in preparation for a conference in Dakar, Senegal in April 2000 show that much progress has been made. But the progress has fallen short of our hopes and plans, and expectations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Central Asia. In East Asia and Pacific progress has been good but very uneven.

    Hence we are assembled here in Bangkok to review what went wrong; how to replicate what went right; and to map out a strategy for reviving and further advancing the vision of Jomtien.

    It is hard to generalize anything for this vast and diverse region of Asia Pacific. But we know that this region is home to a quarter of the world's out of school children, and three-quarters of the world's illiterate population. And the gender gap in literacy and basic education, negatively affecting girls and women, is more pronounced in this region - especially in South Asia - than anywhere else in the world.

    No wonder, Asia is home to the largest concentration of child labour.

    The single most impediments to the development potential of many countries in Asia is the lack of access to quality basic education. The examples of the more successful countries in Southeast Asia - including Thailand - show that investment in basic education greatly facilitated their rapid economic development. By contrast, much of South Asia languishes in the vortex of poverty due to inadequate investment and poor progress in basic education.

    The multiplier effects of progress in education are well-known: reduced fertility, better health care, decreased child mortality, improvement in women's status, and the highest rate of economic return of any investment.

    Denial of education harms the cause of democracy and social progress. Education is not only a fundamental human right; it is often a prerequisite to fully enjoy - to demand and benefit from many other human rights.

    It is sometimes said that education is costly and some of our countries cannot afford to provide free, compulsory basic education.

    But let me remind us of this fact - since the end of the Cold War, precisely since the Jomtien Conference, military expenditures in the world fell by 30% from some US$ 1 trillion in 1990 to $700 billion in 1998. But during that same period, military expenditures increased by 27% from $95 billion to $130 billion in Asia.

    Compare this with the estimated $8 billion a year in additional funding needed to close the funding gap for ensuring universal basic education in all developing countries. Surely, if there is enough political will, the funding gap can be closed.

    Thailand under the leadership of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai shows the way. We were all deeply touched by his statement just over a year ago at the 4th East Asia and Pacific Ministerial Consultation on Progress towards the goals of the World Summit for Children. He said then, "… we in Thailand believe that investment in human resources, starting with children, is our country's best defense and the best hope for its future. Given our financial difficulties, we have had to reduce budgets inmost sectors, including defense. Ultimately however, the security of country lies in the security of its people. And in protecting our people, we must continue to invest in children - the very life blood of our country".

    Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister - who is also an enlightened Minister of Defense - for showing us the way.

    Of course, money alone is not enough. Our educational systems need to be revamped. Starting with early child care programmes to make children ready for school; to creating a joyful learning environment in child-friendly - especially, girl-friendly - schools' leading to life-long learning opportunities for adolescents and adults, taking advantage of today's amazing information and communication technologies.

    If the 21st century is going to be the century of Asia Pacific, education will be the key to the promised kingdom. Let us use this conference to accelerate our entry to that kingdom where respect for the rights of children will reign supreme. Your own United Nations Children's Fund - along with our partners - is ready to collaborate with you to take us there.

    Thank you.