Regions and Countries

	Table of Contents
p. 15 of 20 BACK | NEXT I. Introduction II. Background and Rationale III. Economic and Social Trends IV. Program Review - Lessons Learned V. Strategic Directions of the GMS Program for 2001-2003 VI. Sector Properties and Proposed Program for 2001-2003 A. Transport B. Energy C. Telecommunications D. Tourism E. Environment F. Human Resource Development G. Trade H. Investment VII. ADB's Operational Program VIII. Coordination with Donor Agencies and Regional Institutions IX. Cofinancing and Catalyzing External Resources

GMS Assistance Plan : VI. Sector Properties and Proposed Program for 2001-2003

---

F. Human Resources Development

90. In 1994, subregional cooperation in HRD addressed the urgent need to extend benefits of economic growth to the poor and ethnic minorities in remote areas. It focused on transborder dimensions such as inadequate managerial and technical skills of the migrant workforce, and transmission of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria and the trafficking of women. At present the major focus of cooperation in HRD is on extending the benefits of economic growth to the poor and ethnic minorities and addressing the social implications of economic growth.

91. In late 1996, the Working Group on Human Resources Development (WGHRD) was established to serve as a forum to tackle the above transborder issues and undertake suberegional cooperation projects. Subregional HRD projects so far implemented have involved two technical assistance projects. The first project is on Cooperation in Employment Promotion and Training²³ , which involved the setting up of labor market information networking, and identified potentials for collaboration in common standards, certification, and accreditation systems. The second project is on Prevention of HIV/AIDS in the GMS²⁴ , which provided a framework for HIV/AIDS prevention using a regional approach and identified 18 project proposals covering various areas of HIV/AIDS interventions such as policy, safe blood supply, and care/ treatment of patients. A regional approach, particularly in disease control, complements national initiatives by allowing resource sharing and enhancing cost-effectiveness of interventions.

92. In the second meeting of the WGHRD in May 1999, the GMS countries agreed to focus future interventions on disadvantaged groups, HIV/AIDS prevention and control, and skills development. These priorities, which are consistent with ADB’s efforts on poverty reduction, are reflected in the pipeline of projects for the HRD sector. The project on Study of Health and Education Needs of Ethnic Minorities²⁵ identified the constraints that ethnic minorities face in accessing basic social services. This project is expected to identify follow up activities for 2001-2003 covering policy studies, capacity building, and investment projects for ethnic minorities. Priority areas include basic education, primary/ reproductive health, drug abuse, and HIV/AIDS. The project on Preventing HIV/AIDS Among Mobile Populations in the GMS²⁶ recently commenced with the aim of developing and mainstreaming toolkits for HIV/AIDS prevention measures among mobile populations.

93. Other health priorities include preventive health care and disease control activities, such as support to the Rollback Malaria (RBM) Initiative, which is a joint WHO/ UNICEF program to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality through intensive disease management and prevention. Moreover, a small-scale RETA for Drug Eradication is being processed to identify optimal means for the GMS countries in eradicating drug production and consumption, and in sharing best practices for drug control.

___________________

Back E. Environment	Next G. Trade