The Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network is the first treaty to have been developed under the auspices of the UNESCAP secretariat and deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Agreement is an important tool to facilitate international trade and tourism, promote regional integration and enhance international cooperation. It was adopted on 18 November 2003 by an intergovernmental meeting held in Bangkok, was open for signature in April 2004 in Shanghai and entered into force on 4 July 2005.