The United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with the North-South Institute (Canada) and the Third World Network (Malaysia) organised a conference on Trade: Contribution to Growth, Human Development and Poverty Reduction in Asia in Penang from 22 - 24 November 2004.

The broad aim of the conference was to examine whether and how increased trade and greater integration into the global trading system by Asian and Pacific countries could contribute positively to their poverty reduction and Millennium Development Goals.

It is hoped that the conference proceedings, shared widely with stakeholders, including the government and civil society, will help to reshape the current debate into making poverty reduction and human development the twin priorities, and in doing so, assess how trade, non-trade and macroeconomic policies can best be situated within a coherent national and global pro-poor policy framework. In this regard, the conference will specifically focus on identifying the policies and institutional changes which will be necessary both at national and global levels to create and promote 'win-win' situations for both developing and developed countries.

Approximately 15 countries in the Asia Pacific region attended the conference, and included representatives of government, civil society organisations, the private sector as well as regional trade experts and partner organisations.

The Keynote address was delivered by Dr Hafz Pasha, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia Pacific. Other notable speakers included YB Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Chief Minister of Penang and Dr Martin Khor from the Third World Network.