The headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is located in which of the following cities?

Introduction / Context:
The United Nations system includes several regional commissions that promote economic and social development in specific parts of the world. For Asia and the Pacific, this body is known as the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, commonly abbreviated as ESCAP. General knowledge examinations often test where the headquarters of such organisations are located. This question asks you to identify the city that hosts ESCAP headquarters.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The organisation in question is the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
• The options are four major cities in the Asia Pacific region: Singapore, Manila, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
• Only one of these cities is the correct headquarters location of ESCAP.
• We assume standard information about the United Nations regional commissions.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to recall that ESCAP is the regional arm of the United Nations for Asia and the Pacific and that it is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. Other regional commissions have their own headquarters in different cities, but ESCAP is specifically linked to Bangkok. Remembering this association, rather than confusing it with the headquarters of other organisations such as ASEAN or the Asian Development Bank, is essential.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that ESCAP is the regional commission covering Asia and the Pacific and is part of the United Nations structure. Step 2: Remember that Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, hosts the main ESCAP secretariat and is commonly mentioned in connection with its meetings and offices. Step 3: Compare the options: Singapore hosts many international organisations but is not the ESCAP headquarters. Manila hosts the Asian Development Bank. Hong Kong is a major financial centre but not the home of ESCAP. Step 4: Conclude that Bangkok is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by recalling that official United Nations documents and websites often describe ESCAP as being based in Bangkok. Many regional conferences and ministerial meetings under ESCAP are also marked as taking place at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok. In contrast, Singapore and Hong Kong are more associated with trade and finance, and Manila is strongly linked to the Asian Development Bank. These associations help confirm that Bangkok is the seat of ESCAP.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Singapore: While it is a major hub for trade and diplomacy, it does not host ESCAP headquarters.
• Manila: This city hosts the Asian Development Bank, not ESCAP.
• Hong Kong: It is an important financial centre but is not the headquarters of ESCAP.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often confuse ESCAP with other Asian institutions and may wrongly associate it with Manila due to the presence of the Asian Development Bank or with Jakarta because of ASEAN. Another pitfall is to assume that Singapore must be the headquarters simply because of its prominent global role. To avoid such errors, it is useful to remember one simple pair: ESCAP and Bangkok.

Final Answer:
The headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific is located in Bangkok.