The 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is being held in Bangkok from Monday to Friday, bringing together ministers from countries across Asia and the Pacific and other key stakeholders to exchange views on opportunities and solutions for a sustainable future.
Under the theme of "Leaving no one behind: advancing a society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific," the session aims to provide a platform for regional leaders to discuss regional demographic trends and socioeconomic priorities.
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, delivered opening remarks for the session.
While dynamism and stability of Asia-Pacific are being tested by increasing geopolitical tensions and escalating economic protectionism, countries in the region have been learning from one another and finding solutions together to resist external impacts and navigate through crisis, she said.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu also guested at the session and delivered a speech.
ESCAP member states should enhance solidarity and cooperation, facilitate development and prosperity in Asia-Pacific region, and work together to advance the vision of an Asia-Pacific community, he said at the conference.
China is always a part of the Asia-Pacific family, and always supports and participates in cooperation across the region. China stands ready to further experience exchanges with partners in the region, and promote high-quality population development in Asia Pacific, he said.
As one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), ESCAP is a vital inter-governmental platform aiming to promote socioeconomic development in the Asia-Pacific region.
82nd session of UN ESCAP held in Bangkok
A dazzling lineup of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies was on display at an immersive tech fair that just concluded on Tuesday in Guangzhou City, south China, captivating visitors with true-to-life and thrilling game experiences.
Held inside the China Import and Export Fair Complex, the three-day World VR/AR/XR/MR Industry and Smart Glasses Exhibition drew exhibitors from around the world to showcase their hottest immersive products, and tech enthusiasts couldn't wait to test the gadgets and gear firsthand.
"I just experienced the VR skydiving. The sense of weightlessness is very strong, and my experience is fantastic. It feels like real skydiving, but you can't stay for too long, as it's so real that you might get a bit dizzy," one visitor said.
A local company presented several products including a dome-screen theater that delivers glasses-free 3D visuals ideal for tourist attractions.
"The highlight is that we have turned the track-based theater into a dome theater. It offers a 3D audio-visual experience with 8K high-definition images. Our exclusive footage is incredibly sharp, and we've added immersive motion effects along with special effects like wind, rain, thunder, snowflakes, and bubbles," said Liu Jiale, sales manager of the exhibiting company.
The company landed an overseas order on the very first day of the expo, and saw a steady stream of curious visitors stopping by to try out the products.
Another overseas company showcased a VR large-space arena that allows multiple visitors to experience it at once. The game has already attracted players from 35 countries and regions.
"We come here every year to introduce new games. We have many clients, both Chinese and international, from countries like Kazakhstan, Spain, France, and many others. We offer seven VR games with new maps, and our games currently support eight foreign languages," said Denis, the company manager.
China is now home to over 35,000 VR firms, and the whole VR industry is forecast to exceed 350 billion yuan (about 50 billion U.S. dollars) by 2026.
Immersive VR games wow crowds at Guangzhou tech expo
