India calls for inclusive development in Asia-Pacific region

New Delhi, May 21 (UNI) Carrying offshore the development agenda of the UPA government, Minister of State for Industry Ashwani Kumar today called for inclusive development to transform lives of the poor and marginalised.

Delivering the ministerial statement at the 63rd session of UN ESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) in Almaty (Kazakhstan), he urged the international body to make use of Mahatma Gandhi's talisman to focus its priorities towards the poor and the deprived of Asia and the Pacific region.

''Development in its wider manifestation must positively impact on the lives of those who live on the margins,'' he said.

The three-day ministerial segment of the session, inaugurated by Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, deliberated on how to help poor countries in Asia and the Pacific to achieve the millennium development goals (MDGs) by 2015, and on promoting investment in health services in member countries and the region.

While noting the robust economic growth of the region, Mr Kumar said it must be inclusive and transform the lives of the poor and the marginalised. He complimented ESCAP for selecting 'Development of Health Systems' as the theme for the 63rd session. The Minister also highlighted India's initiatives to provide affordable and universal healthcare.

UNI