ECAFE and Economic Cooperation in Asia

1. At the 16th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE), held at Bangkok in Marchl960, a resolution was passed unanimously (Annex I) urging greater cooperation among countries of the ECAFE region in order to achieve accelerated economic and social development. This might well be regarded as a historic landmark: while regional cooperation had been taking place already in some measure through the forums of ECAFE and other international or regional bodies, never before was the desire for it voiced in such unambiguous and concrete terms. It is, therefore, appropriate and timely to study the past efforts and future possibilities of such cooperation.