Delegations from the following countries attended the Regional Conference: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos Peoples Democratic Republic, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Fiji Islands, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Republic of Philippines, Republic of Vanuatu, Samoa, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, The People's Republic of China, Tonga, Uzbekistan and Australia. Representatives from Argentina, Ecuador and Slovenia also attended.

The Conference agreed the following key points and recommends to the World Conference on Science that:

- the new millennium should see the establishment of a new and balanced relationship between science, society and the environment at all levels from local to global;

- science should be interpreted as SET (science, engineering and technology);

- Unesco, ICSU and other bodies concerned with SET should actively promote science and social sciences and the relationship between them as the basis for sustainable and equitable living and for building a lasting peace;

- SET, in a transformed science-society partnership, which ensures a sustainable and equitable future, will be one where the experiences and knowledge of women and men from all cultures are equally valued and respected and where all people participate meaningfully at all stages of the SET process;

- scientists have a social responsibility to focus on matters of economic value to people in alleviating poverty, which is a global and gender issue;

- accessibility to knowledge (including issues of education, gender and traditional knowledge) should be addressed as a priority by Unesco, as lead agency for science within the UN system;

- the role of Unesco as lead science agency within the UN system should be reaffirmed, within the context of increasing partnerships between nations, NGO's, industry and the intergovernmental sector;

- in particular, there is an urgent need for Unesco and ICSU to promote SET to assist with improved management of freshwater and marine resources, including reducing pollution and effectively managing catchments.

- Unesco and other UN bodies should increase support for SET that will mitigate disasters including risk assessment and predictive activities particularly associated with anticipated effects of accelerated climate change;

- high priority should be given to enhancing communication of the processes of science and its outcomes, especially through improved linkages to policy makes and increasing popular presentations of science so as to enhance understanding and appreciation of SET by policy makers and civil society;

- Unesco initiate an international program for enhancing the extent and professional quality of reporting of SET in the mass media and independent interpretation of the issues involved, adapting the program to the situations and requirements of individuals and groups;

- promotion of scientific literacy and awareness should be facilitated through both formal and informal methods and should encompass modern and traditional science. Unesco should facilitate joint activity between its education, science, culture and communication sectors to achieve this objective.

- Unesco and other bodies should devote resources to ensuring the international equity in training in all aspects of SET including R&D management. Scientific competence will only come from a sound educational base, accordingly nations should provide for adequate gender-inclusive training at all levels.

- nations and international organizations concerned with SET should develop frameworks for ethical standards in SET. Unesco and ICSU should play a lead role in promoting the adoption and use of an international code of ethics in SET.