EditorialInterview with the President of the General Assembly
Interview with Ambassador G. W. Henze
Interview with Ambassador Karim Chowdhury.
Interview with Ambassador Moubarak
Commissions Sessions and Reform Update:
When discussing United Nations reform, it has become fashionable lately to suggest a separation of the operational activities from the normative or analytical tasks of the Organization. Both the Nordic Project and the European Union's proposals for reform announced recently take this position. The organizational consequence at United Nations headquarters would be to concentrate operational activities in the programmes, and leave the conceptual-analytical work to the Secretariat. Curiously, the role of the specialized agencies is viewed closer to the normative than the operational sphere, contrary to the mix of most of their present activities.
On paper, this is a neat and rational prescription, which appeals to common sense to avoid overlapping and duplication. However, in practice the functional division is quite arbitrary, since the dividing line between normative and operational activities is not clear to begin with (how does one characterize each?), and, to be more precise, both activities mutually reinforce each other. In other words, the best operational activities are rooted in the Organization's normative work, and the normative work is grounded in the operational activities.
The regional commissions are a case in point. There, research (normative) is very much enriched by the insights staff receive in their technical assistance missions to member countries (operational), while the technical assistance missions draw on what staff have learned from their research. The distinction is very similar to that of the old debate regarding professors' work at Universities: should it concentrate on teaching or on engaging in research? The obvious answer is that they should be doing both, since the activities greatly enrich each other. Usually, it is the professional staff that is most renowned for its analytical work that is called upon most to provide technical assistance to member Governments.
One could, of course, argue that the functional division at headquarters could continue to have synergetic effects if the operational side of the house (say, the programmes) could be made to interact constructively with the normative side. Both the European Union and the Nordic Project proposals are fully cognizant of this need. This unifying function would presumably be the role of the proposed Under-Secretary-General responsible, under the authority of the Secretary-General, for economic and social co-operation and development issues.
"The best operational activities are rooted in the Organizations normative work, and the normative work is grounded in the operational activities."
However, past efforts at "coordinating" the disparate parts of the Organization do not offer grounds for much optimism on this particular matter. The reason is simple: the "doers" of the world naturally resist having someone else doing the "thinking" for them. Witness the increasing involvement of UNDP in normative activities, to the point that probably the single most important source of duplication and overlapping in the whole system is between the normative activities of the programmes and those of the Secretariat. This is true at the global level, and perhaps even more so at the regional level.
Be that as it may, the effort to reorganize the economic and social spheres around functional lines raises a dilemma -- albeit a false dilemma -- for the regional commissions. Should they, as part of the Secretariat, limit their activities to normative work, as is strongly suggested by the European Union? Or should they move in the other direction, and perhaps merge with the regional bureaux of UNDP and concentrate on backstopping of regional operational activities?
Clearly, the member Governments would lose something if the regional commissions had to make this Manichean choice. For, as mentioned, and as is true for most entities in the United Nations, the regional commissions do a bit of both; the mix varies from one region to another, and even from one period to another in the same commission. The main point is that the quality of the outputs that all five commissions put at the disposal of their member Governments is enormously nourished by the mutually reinforcing effects of their normative and operational activities.
Thus, the holistic objectives of reform -- efficiency, effectiveness, relevance, coherence, streamlining, an integrated effort -- will not necessarily be served by taking the separation between normative and operational tasks to its ultimate consequences (something, it should be noted, that neither the EU nor the Nordic Project suggest), especially in the case of the five regional commissions. Rather, a strong case can be made in favour of the regional commissions working out, with global bodies, a rational division of responsibilities based on the comparative advantages of each of the entities involved, both in the normative and in the operational spheres.
Hopefully, these matters will receive a close perusal within the Secretariat and the intergovernmental machinery as United Nations reform proceeds.
Gert Rosenthal
Executive Secretary of ECLAC
Current Coordinator of the Regional Commissions
Interview with the President of the General Assembly, Ambassador Ismail Razali
RC Newsletter: The Agenda for Development, currently being negotiated, is expected to define the new orientation of the UN's work in the economic and social fields. How do you see the evolving role of the UN in the fast changing dynamics of development?
UNGA President: The Agenda for Peace sought to outline the UN's role in the changing political contexts of the post-cold war period. The Agenda for Development represents an effort to define the close linkages that exist between peace and development and the UN's response in that regard. The task is complex and difficult, partly because the perceptions are so widely divergent. Even the definition of development evokes sharply different perceptions. For instance, developing countries often view with suspicion the vigour displayed by the developed countries in advancing certain conventions and standards, as being efforts to slow down their pace. To the South, the key to development is economic growth. In this situation, the UN has a unique role to play as the consensus-builder. The agreements reached in the recent global UN conferences provide a good basis for further work.
Under the impact of globalization, the world is changing fast. In the economic arena, other players, including from the private sector, are emerging to provide a growing number of services similar to those offered by the UN. For its part, the UN and its component bodies and organizations must reform and refocus their roles in these changing contexts -- perhaps, even revisit their original mandates -- if they wish to remain relevant and useful during the coming years to the needs of their member countries. Otherwise, they will be increasingly marginalized.
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| ". . . the UN must readjust its role at the regional level in order to find new relevance in this changed setting." |
RC Newsletter: In the development dynamics over the past few decades, regions have gradually emerged as growth centres. Integration groupings have gained strength in all the regions in the wake of this dynamic development. Within this context, what role do you envisage for the regional commissions of the UN to play?
UNGA President: Yes, the emergence of the regional integration groupings heralds a new dimension of regional cooperation which, I believe, will continue to grow from strength to strength -- with or without the help of the UN. Just take a look at East and South-East Asia. Growth triangles are being promoted transcending political, geographic or other barriers, and in partnership between Governments and the private sector. Sometimes there could be a negative impact to this -- so the UN has a role to play. For that, the UN must readjust its role at the regional level in order to find new relevance in this changed setting. Perhaps it would do better to refocus its attention on helping the disadvantaged groups of countries and peoples left behind in this development process 7to break out of their marginalized status. These countries need support in becoming more competitive and in the face of often hostile external circumstances. With a declining ODA, assistance for them is also drying out. The situation is precarious particularly for Africa and the least developed countries. The commissions would do well to direct increasing attention to them.
RC Newsletter: You mentioned disadvantaged groups of peoples as well?
UNGA President: Yes. The right of people to development is a very big issue for me. Invariably some peoples -- marginalized, poverty-stricken, uneducated and those suffering from other handicaps -- often lose out in the process of development. They are left behind. The UN and its regional commissions can come forward to support these vulnerable groups without politicizing the issues. The UN should encourage the process for redressing this and should work with the governments to bring these marginalized peoples into the mainstream of societies.
RC Newsletter: How do you see the UN reform proceeding?
UNGA President: As I see it, the UN is revamping itself quite well and I am optimistic.
RC Newsletter: Last year, ECOSOC adopted resolution 1996/46, which,inter alia, stated that "the regional perspectives of development should further enrich the Council's debate on economic and social development." In this regard, what role do you envisage for the regional commissions to play and how should they develop better interface with the Council on this matter?
Amb. Henze: The regional commissions enjoy unique locational advantage and insights for dealing with issues of regional significance. They cover conditions specific to each region which enable them to gain distinctive perspectives. For instance, ECE has been very good in promoting norms, standards and conventions, and its experience in those areas can enrich not only the ECOSOC but the other commissions as well.
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| "The commissions are also important to us because on some issues they are closer to the areas where the problems are and, perhaps, also to the answers. That is why we favour certain decentralization of functions to them. Our efforts to further decentralize the UN technical cooperation programmes go in the same direction." |
Personally, I subscribe to the European Union's position that the regional commissions should concentrate more on normative work, rather than operational activities. There is a certain rationale for that. Take, for instance, the conventions. It is easier to establish common denominators at the regional level than at the global level. The experiences that Germany and the Central African Republic can share are certainly less numerous than those the latter can share with its neighbours. The regional commissions can, therefore, be utilized by ECOSOC for consensus-building. Likewise, because of common regional interest, trade, transportation, environment and statistics are some of the areas where the commissions can make meaningful contributions to advance ECOSOC's objectives for promoting cooperation.
The major conferences over the last years, beginning with the Rio Summit and including the Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, the Social Summit in Copenhagen and the Conference on Women in Beijing, adopted a great number of common objectives and recommendations. A considerable part of these recommendations have particular implications for specific regions. This is another sector where the regional commissions have to play a special role. ECOSOC will also benefit from feedback from them on these issues.
In all these areas, ECOSOC can develop better interface with the regional commissions. This should be facilitated by the integration of the three relevant departments at Headquarters under one Under-Secretary-General, who would act at the same time as the new executive secretary of ECOSOC. We hope that through this combination of tasks, the new executive secretary will be able to better utilize the inputs from regional commissions for ECOSOC deliberations. Interface could also be improved by organizing separate high-level dialogue with the executive secretaries of the regional commissions along the lines of the high-level dialogue with the heads of the Bretton Woods Institutions presently organized by ECOSOC.
RC Newsletter: Could you please elaborate a bit more your views on the operational role of the regional commissions? Should they give up their technical assistance activities?
Amb. Henze: I de-emphasized the operational role of the regional commissions. But that does not mean that they should not have anything to do with providing technical assistance to member countries. In my view, though operational activities are better carried out by the Funds and Programmes, which have the advantage of maintaining country-level presence, the regional commissions have scope to provide relevant operational inputs. To mention an example, they should continue to extend appropriate technical assistance in the fields related to their particular expertise, e.g. in normative work, standards, conventions and harmonization, through workshops and training programmes.
The commissions are also important to us because on some issues they are closer to the areas where the problems are, and perhaps also the answers. That is why we favour certain decentralization of functions to them. Our efforts to further decentralize the UN technical cooperation programmes go in the same direction.
RC Newsletter: Following the end of the cold war, countries in eastern Europe and the former republics of the Soviet Union have become a major focus in ECE's priorities. Do you have any suggestions on its further role in integrating economies of those countries with the rest of Europe?
Amb. Henze: My first observation is that ECE always has had a special role to play. During the cold war period it was indispensable as a venue for East-West cooperation. Its mission and role continue to be important for the strengthening of economic cooperation involving the whole of Europe. This role of ECE in the post-cold war period was reconfirmed by the OSCE Budapest Summit of December 1994.
Now, of course, ECE's role has gained greater importance with the addition of the new members from CIS and the Central and East European region. The countries in Eastern Europe as well as the new members have to be assisted in upgrading their infrastructure, as well as in the harmonization of the relevant rules, regulations and procedures in various fields, so that they and the rest of Europe can interact with each other in a more meaningful manner as partners. ECE has been fulfilling and will continue to have to fulfil this important responsibility. The recently concluded jubilee session of ECE unanimously endorsed this common desire of the member countries of ECE. Among the main areas identified for ECE to promote cooperation are environment, trade and trade facilitation, transport and transport facilitation, industrial development, energy, economic analysis and statistics, as well as the advisory services programme.
RC Newsletter: If you consider 1996 as the transition year between the formats governed by GA resolutions 48/162 and 50/227, the substantive session of ECOSOC in 1997 will be the first under the new system. Resolution 50/227, inter alia, seeks to ensure "a better structural relationship" among the regional commissions and the rest of the relevant components of the UN system and with the Economic and Social Council (para. 75). To address this relatively extensive exercise, some preparations are needed. Would you have any suggestions as to how to pursue this objective?
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| "ESCAP has the responsibility to assist those lagging sub-regions and countries. It can encourage the more dynamic countries to share their expertise and experiences with them. In this regard, I wish to especially emphasize the need for making sustained efforts in human resources development and in providing a stronger basis for social development." |
Amb. Chowdhury: The main element in this process should be consultations -- to make the delegations and other parts of the United Nations realize and understand better the work and contributions of the regional commissions. You see, there is not always adequate understanding of the wide-ranging nature of the commissions' activities, the significance of their uniquely region-specific socio-economic analyses or the importance of the direct and frequent interactions that the sectoral ministries and departments of the Gvernments maintain with their professional counterparts in the commissions. Besides, each region has its own dynamics, which, in turn, impart certain characteristics to each of the commissions. For their part, the commissions also need to make more intensive efforts, at both legislative and secretariat levels, to better project their work as well as their complementarity and relevance to the global initiatives. They should be more visible to the GA and ECOSOC. Global UN bodies and programmes often have regional outreach, which should be coordinated with the commissions for improved services rendered to the member States. I believe consultations at the forthcoming ECOSOC session can enable the establishment of the necessary building blocks for a better structural relationship between the global and regional dimensions of the UN's works, with the involvement of the commissions.
RC Newsletter: Rapid economic development in several countries in East and South-East Asia in recent years has been accompanied by a trade, investment and technology nexus which, in a way, brought into focus the unique regional character of their development process. Encouragingly enough, the nexus is spreading, creating a new scope for regional cooperation. What role can ESCAP play in providing further impetus to this process?
Amb. Chowdhury: For a good number of years, ESCAP has been involved in facilitating spread of the growth momentum in certain parts of Asia. However, development in the region has been uneven, as not all of the subregions and members benefitted equally from the nexus between trade, investment and technology that characterized this momentum. This, however, has created new opportunities for regional cooperation. I believe ESCAP has a responsibility to assist those lagging subregions and countries. It can encourage the more dynamic countries to share their expertise and experiences with them. In this regard, I wish to especially emphasize the need for making sustained efforts in human resources development and in providing a stronger basis for social development.
Interview with Ambassador Samir MoubarakPermanent, Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations
RC Newsletter: ECOSOC resolution 1996/46, inter alia, "recognizes that the regional commissions provide a useful forum and mechanism for enabling, promoting and strengthening regional cooperation for development". From this perspective, how do you view the roles of the regional commissions in general and that of ESCWA in particular?
Amb. Moubarak: The regional commissions in general, and ESCWA in particular, definitely serve a most useful and necessary role in promoting and strengthening both regional economic and social cooperation. In this regard, I note the multiple functions of ESCWA as a compiler of basic economic and social information and data for the region; as an analyzer of the region's problems and prospects; as a promoter of dialogue among its member countries; as a facilitator for exchange of experiences; and as a catalyzer of initiatives for forging cooperation for the well-being of the region's countries and peoples. Our region offers great prospects, but it also faces many hurdles. ESCWA is in a position to help better harness our potentials in a variety of fields -- for instance, in diversifying our productions and exports and in promoting tourism prospects. Most of all, through its periodic meetings, ESCWA is able to bring together the policy makers of the region as well as the sectoral specialists for policy dialogues. The value of such dialogues can not be overemphasized for implementation of economic reform policies in a region such as ours.
RC Newsletter: All preparations are now in high gear for the relocation of ESCWA's headquarters to Beirut in the coming fall. For ESCWA, it is like homecoming. Hopefully, it will also further enhance the contributions of the UN towards strengthening the fabrics of development in that region. How do you view this transition?
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| "We are looking to ESCWA with much expectation for strengthening the ties of cooperation within its member States." |
Amb. Moubarak: Indeed, we feel as if ESCWA is coming back home after almost two decades. The construction of the headquarters building has been completed and preparations are now fully under way to welcome the ESCWA secretariat back to Beirut in August 1997. We are also very appreciative of the support by the ESCWA member countries of the offer of the Government of Lebanon for Beirut to be the permanent headquarters for ESCWA. Beirut should provide a very supportive climate for ESCWA to fulfil its mission. The location of several other regional offices of the United Nations in Beirut should also facilitate its tasks and the work of the UN system in the region.
Naturally, we are looking to ESCWA with much expectation for strengthening the ties of cooperation within its member States. At present, the level of interactions among countries of our regional commission are far too limited as compared to their enormous potential. Trade and investment with member States remain unsatisfactory. The same applies to the transfer of experience and know-how. The transport and communications infrastructures remain far too inadequate to support the intensive and wide-ranging cooperation needed among the ESCWA members. ESCWA must come forward to transform these hindrances into constructive factors supportive of development cooperation within its members. In these areas, it should also involve the private sector and the chambers of commerce and industry. ESCWA must also be able to bring to the region the fruits of positive development experiences elsewhere, for instance, the micro-credit experience which is receiving wide support from the international community.
ECE celebrates its jubilee session by setting a new strategic direction for itself
The Economic Commission for Europe decided on a new strategic direction for itself in order to further strengthen the involvement of all member countries in forging more harmonious and efficient economic relations among them. On the occasion of the50th anniversary of the Commission, it met in Geneva from 21 to 24 April 1997, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan. The meeting was at the ministerial level to celebrate the commission's past and present, as well as to redefine its future. It adopted a declaration on the strengthening of economic cooperation in Europe and a Plan of Action providing extensive reform of the Commission. The reform will change both the intergovernmental and the secretariat structure as well as the work programme.
An important feature of the session was the holding of two high-level round-table discussions. One topic was "Building cohesion in Europe: technical answers to a political aspiration", which highlighted how ECE contributes to the fabric of relations which facilitate business and promote better understanding and peace. Another topic was "The Economic Commission for Europe: forging partnerships between Governments, enterprises and non-governmental organizations". It brought together representatives from public service, the business community and organizations within civil society that are involved in ECE activities and are users of its products. The discussion offered an opportunity for participants to illustrate how ECE activities respond to their needs and facilitate cooperation among them. The discussion also focused on how ECE could further facilitate and develop such partnerships in the future. Events planned in conjunction with the session included an essay competition for students, the installation of computers around the meeting rooms for delegations to access ECE's Home Page on the Internet, two art exhibitions, and a display of ECE's achievements.
Shanghai revisited--ESCAP celebrates 50 years in development
With two thirds of the world's poor in its backyard, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) remains as relevant as ever for UN development policies in the Asia-Pacific region. ESCAP member Governments confirmed this at the 53rd landmark Commission session, held in Bangkok from 23 to 30 April, which coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of its founding. They acknowledged, however, that more needs to be done to streamline the Commission, and pledged to make it a centre for development and research in Asia and the Pacific in the next century.
Earlier, from 18 to 20 March, it organized a high-level symposium in Shanghai, China, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ESCAP. The choice of Shanghai as site for the symposium was very much a symbolic one, as the city was also the birthplace in 1947 of what was then known as the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE).
The debate at Shanghai focused, among other things, on the "unstoppable" globalization of the region, which is integrating markets for goods, services, capital and technology flows. A main conclusion was that globalization does not necessarily ensure equitable distribution of benefits among countries or among people within a country. It was therefore necessary, many speakers noted, to adopt appropriate remedies at national, regional and global levels.
The founding of ECAFE in 1947 represented the birth of regional cooperation in Asia. The launching of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Mekong project, both of which have become intergovernmental organizations, are two of the proud achievements of ESCAP. The Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway networks were launched by ESCAP three decades ago with a vision to form the region into a closer socio-economic community.
Although the 60 ESCAP member countries are very different in size, culture and level of development, they all agreed on the wish to see ESCAP continue its reform process -- a fact which was underlined by the efficiency of this Commission session and the reduction in the number of resolutions to four very succinct and clear texts: one on the streamlining of the conference structure; one calling on countries to speed up the advancement of women in Asia and thePacific; one on a framework for the North-East Asian subregional programme of environmental cooperation, and one calling for the elimination of sexual abuse and exploitation of children and youth in Asia and the Pacific. The Commission session witnessed the inauguration of ESCAP's Home Page on the Internet.
"Accelerating Trade and Investment in Africa" was the theme of the three-day Commission session, held at the headquarters of ECA in Addis Ababa from 5 to 8 May, which brought together senior African experts and policy makers, including ministers. In a declaration adopted on the theme, the participants strongly endorsed the role of information and the private sector in Africa's development.
Regarded by many observers as a watershed in recent African economic policy thinking, the declaration clearly sets out its purpose, saying: "We are convinced that trade and investment are essential components in any credible strategies to accelerate our countries' development and sustain high rates of economic growth."
For the first time since independence, Africa came out clearly in favour of partnership with the private sector in general and transnational corporations in particular as a policy choice.
The participants recognized the broad-based high rates of economic growth geared towards creating employment as essential components for poverty reduction and its eventual eradication. They were convinced that to boost domestic savings and investment, attract private foreign capital and expand trade with the rest of the world Africa must, among other things:
(a) Change the negative perception of Africa as a high-risk place;
(b) Improve information flow on development in Africa;
(c) Modernize, expand and diversify production;
(d) Reduce the cost of establishing business; and
(e) Strengthen international competitiveness.
The declaration welcomed the debt-reduction initiative for highly indebted poor countries recently proposed by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and noted that the cost of servicing external debt has been estimated to have exceeded US$ 340 billion at the end of 1996.
Among other decisions adopted by the commission, it agreed to biennialize its previously annual ministerial session.
ESCWA Members calls for reinforcement of United Nations role at regional level
The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) held its nineteenth session in Beirut from 5 to 8 May. It concluded with a call for the reinforcement of the United Nations role at the regional level, which also entails enhancement of its regional commissions' functions as a basic forum and their contributions in representing the regional dimension of global issues in an integrated setting involving global, regional and national levels. The Commission confirmed the revised priorities in its work programme reflecting the changing needs of its member countries.
The Commission also resolved to strengthen the role of ESCWA as a key forum for cooperation among its member States in economic and social policies. As part of its strengthened role in the region, its 13 members approved two new technical committees which will consist of expert representatives of the member States in the fields of transport and international trade. These committees will participate in formulating priorities related to the work programme of ESCWA, will follow up on international conferences and will play a coordinating role of regional efforts in these two areas.
Regarding the strengthening of relations and contacts with member Governments, ESCWA reported an average 40 per cent increase in requests for each of its regional advisers since its last session in 1994. ESCWA provided its member States with advisory services in the areas of data processing, energy, environment, industrial promotion and management, national accounts and economic statistics, water resources development, social development, the World Trade Organization, statistical sampling and population development.
Two important documents on reform were presented by the ECLAC secretariat at the second meeting of the ad hoc Working Group, held at UN headquarters from 5 to 6 June 1997. The documents related to the review of recent reforms adopted by ECLAC, as well as an outline of issues and suggestions considered for a "management pilot scheme" designed to introduce a new approach to management within the UN system, for which ECLAC was selected to participate.
The ad hoc Working Group was established by the Commission pursuant to its resolution 553 (XXVI), adopted at its twenty-sixth session, held in San Jose, Costa Rica, from 15 to 20 April 1996. The resolution included an updated mission statement for ECLAC and established a new mechanism through which the secretariat can interact with the Governments of the ECLAC member countries both for priority-setting exercises and for discussing "strategic directions" for the institution. The results of the first meeting of the ad hoc Working Group were brought to the attention of delegations in New York in October 1996, and subsequently reported to the Economic and Social Council. The review of recent reforms include the areas of priority-setting, improved management, budgeting exercise and coordination with other organizations.
The Management Pilot Scheme is based on the proposition to establish clearer, enhanced accountability in exchange for greater delegation of authority and flexibility within existing rules. Under the Pilot programme, ECLAC will enhance its performance as a provider of economic analysis and advice in the ECLAC region while obtaining the most value for money from the resources provided to the Commission. ECLAC will develop improved performance measures to enhance accountability for delivery of programme outputs and to step up progress in gender balance and other concerns of the organization in exchange for greater flexibility. In turn, the Executive Secretary will delegate more responsibility and require greater accountability within the Commission. This approach seeks efficiency and effectiveness in carrying out a work programme that meets the test of relevance to the ultimate beneficiaries: the Member States of ECLAC.
The proposals are intended to be finalized and their progressive implementation initiated during 1997, with an expectation of introducing the new system of management during 1998-1999 biennium.
ECE/ ESCAP, ECLAC/ ECA / ESCWA , ECA
A joint ECE-ESCAP fact-finding mission held extensive consultations with governmental structures in Almaty from 16 to 20 December 1996, aimed at developing a special programme for the transition economies of central Asia. The joint team consisted of four experts from ECE and ESCAP who were supported by the UNDP Office in Almaty. The Kazakstan authorities provided the team with constructive input and valuable information. The mission resulted in the preparation of a draft programme which was submitted in April 1997 for consideration of the member countries of central Asia.
In a world where open economies and globalization have become the general rule, ECLAC's International Trade, Transport and Finance Division, through its Transport Unit, has developed a course entitled "Port modernization: a pyramid of interrelated challenges", which is available to high-level decision makers from ministries of transport, national port authorities, exporters, importers, carriers and unions.
Due to the similarities between the problems facing ports of ECLAC's region and those of the developing world in general, it is also being utilized by many other countries. For example, in collaboration with ESCAP, the Course has been presented at the ports of Chittagong (Bangladesh) and Bangkok (Thailand), and it is to be presented in other countries of that region during May 1997. ECLAC is also cooperating with ECA, and they are to jointly present the Course in Kenya, Tanzania and, possibly, Mozambique during June 1997. In addition, ECLAC and ESCWA are exploring the possibility of utilizing the Course at ports of in Western Asia.
Consisting of three sessions of four hours each, the course has already been given in Colombia (Barranquilla), Honduras (Puerto Cortés), St. Lucia (Castries), Guatemala and Nicaragua. The course's primary purpose is to provide information allowing participants to identify and understand major trends and strategic signals in international trade and the port industry, advocate a commercial outlook and formulate an action plan for their ports based on the introduction of modern technologies, private participation and market-based reform of port labour regimes. The course covers the structural changes essential if ports are to function not as entities apart, as has been traditional, but as integrated links in the chain of production and distribution conceived as a single system. Participants are invited to visualize how ports will operate in the year 2010, in a highly competitive global economy, compared with their present goals and objectives. Particular emphasis is given to the distribution of responsibilities between the private sector and the State -- management on the one hand and regulation on the other. The operation of market mechanisms in a global economy is also discussed, together with their impact on the behaviour of dominant groups in the port industry.
Mediterranean Basin cooperation
ECA undertook a study on the "Follow-up on African/European relations with special emphasis on the North African Proposed Free Trade Area" (E/ECA/TRADE/96/17, ECA December 1996). This study assesses the recent Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and its implications for trade and development for the countries of the North African subregion. The United Nations or its regional commissions are not directly involved in the Mediterranean Basin initiative.
The Partnership, based on the "links forged by neighbourhood and history" between the countries on both sides of the Mediterranean Basin, aims to find a coordinated overall response to the common challenges posed by the new political, economic and social issues in the respective member countries. To achieve this objective, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership stands on three pillars: regular political dialogue, development of economic and financial cooperation, and a greater emphasis on the social, cultural and human dimensions.
June 30-2 July
Ad Hoc Working Group on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways
June 30-2 July
Preparatory Committee of the Regional Conference on Transport and Environment
July
9-11
Meeting of Experts on Clean Coal Technologies
August
27-29
Working Group on Effects (Executive Body for the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution)
September
1-5
Working Party on Road Traffic Safety
15-17
Committee on Human Settlements
22-26
Working Party on the Facilitation of International Trade Procedures
23-25
Working Party on Transport Trends and Economics
October
1-3
Ad Hoc Working Group on International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways
6-9
Timber Committee
20-24
Working Party on Customs Questions affecting Transport
(July-October 1997)
July
4-5
Sub-regional workshop on promoting and implementing the Jakarta Declaration and the Beijing Platform for Action (Lahore, Pakistan)
August
Open (4 days)
Fourth senior officials meeting on environmental cooperation in North-East Asia (Moscow)
September
8-12
Bangkok Meeting of Ministers of Industry and Technology
26-29
Regional meeting to mark the mid-point of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (Seoul)
October
6-10
Bangkok Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, fourth session
15-17
Bangkok Committee on Poverty Alleviation through Economic Growth and Social Development, fourth session
(July-October 1997)
To be determined
Twenty-first session of the ECLAC Committee of the Whole (New York)
September
8-9
Fourth Meeting of Governmental Experts Responsible for Trade Policies (Santiago)
October
30-3 November
Eighth Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Latin America and the Caribbean (HONLEA)
(July-October 1997)
July
14-15
National Conference on Information and Communication Technology
September
22-23
Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Programme Promotion (ACPP)
24
Meetings of UNTACDA II Working Group
25-27
Meeting of the Inter-agency Coordination Committee (IACC on UNTACDA II
October
20-23
Policy Workshop for Ethiopia on the African Information Society Initiative
22-24
Ad hoc Expert Group Meeting on Performance Indicators in Transport
27-31
Workshop on Public Sector Accounts within the Framework of the 1993 System of National Accounts (SNA)
(July-October 1997)
JUNE
23-25
Expert Group Meeting on the Impact of the Peace Process on Selected Sectors (Amman)
Date to be determined
Expert Group Meeting on Multimodal Transport for Middle- and High-Level Managers in the Transport Sector (United Arab Emirates)
Date and venue to be determined
Expert Group Meeting on the 2000 Round of Population and Housing Censuses
Date to be determined
Seminar on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Statistics (Qatar)
Date to be determined
Seminar on the Implementation of the 1993 System of National Accounts (SNA) (Amman)
September
Tentative
Expert Group Meeting on Secondary Cities and Sustainable Urban Development (Amman)
14-18
Training Workshop on Population Policies and Sustainable Development: Reproductive Health and Human Rights (Amman)
Second half of September
Expert Group Meeting on the Development of Non-conventional Water Resources (Beirut or Manama, tentative)
Economic Bulletin for Europe (vol. 48/1996), Sales No. E.96.II.E.29, US$ 60.00.
The Economic Bulletin for Europe discusses key issues surrounding the enlargement of the European Union to the transition economies, including the need for a coherent pre-accession strategy, and examines policy options for integration into the international capital markets.
Cumulative Foreign Direct Investment in Transition Economies Grows by 60 Per Cent in 1995 -- UN/ECE East-West Investment News
According to the last issue of East-West Investment News, the growth of foreign direct investment (FDI) in European transition economies increased. While Hungary accounts for around 30 per cent of the total FDI, there has been an acceleration of FDI growth rates in Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, the Russian Federation and Slovenia.
International Migration in Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, Sales No. GV. E.96.0.22, US$ 28.00.
This publication contains previously unpublished data on international migration between countries in central and eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, mostly due to short-term labour migration..
Fertility and Family Surveys in Countries of the ECE Region, Standard Country Report, Norway, Sales No. GV. E.96.0.32., US$ 25.00.
Norway is the first in a series of 20 comparable country reports, which examine new trends and patterns of partnership and reproductive behaviour in Europe and North America.
Statistical Indicators for Asia and the Pacific, vol. XXVI, December 1996.
Issued four times a year, this publication provides data for assessing demographic and economic trends in the region.
Asia-Pacific Population Journal, vol. 12, No ., March 1997.
Issued quarterly, the Journal provides a medium for the international exchange of knowledge, experience, ideas, technical information and data on all aspects of population.
The Asia-Pacific Development Journal, Vol. 3, No. 1, (ST/ESCAP/1698).
Published twice a year by the Development Research and Policy Analysis Division, its primary emphasis is the publication of empirically based policy oriented articles which can engage the attention of policy makers, academicians and researches in the member and associate member countries of ESCAP.
Enhancing Trade and Environment Linkages in Selected Environmentally Vulnerable Export-Oriented Sectors of the ESCAP Region, ESCAP, Studies in Trade and Investment No. 21, United Nations, New York, USA 1996, UN Ref.: ST/ESCAP/1704
The impact of environmental regulations in major industrial markets on international competitiveness, market access and export earnings are examined in this study.
Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 1995-1996 (LC/G.1929-P)
Annual publication containing regional analysis on the individual countries' economic performance and their employment, wages, savings and investments. Includes a statistical annex on diskette.
Panorama de la Inserción Internacional de America Latina y el Caribe 1996 (LC/G.1941) Spanish only
New regular publication which examines the evolution of trade and trade policies in the region, and the way in which structural changes in the global economy affect trade and investments opportunities, their integration process, and multilateral trade agreements.
Social Panorama of Latin America (LC/G.1946-P)
Annual social appraisals of regional development, in employment, income distribution and poverty, and issues dealing with childhood, youth, gender and social expenditures. The 1996 edition pays special attention to the situation of poverty in the context of the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty.
The Equity Gap. Latin America, the Caribbean and the Social Summit (LC/G.1954(CONF.86/3))
Prepared for the consideration of Governments at the First Regional Conference in Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development, this study focuses on the existing conditions of poverty, employment and social integration, and proposes a few additional guidelines on the content and scope of policies designed to facilitate the full realization of these Summit commitments.
Economic and Social Survey of Africa 1994/95, E/ECA/SERP/95/1, Sales No. 95.II.K.8
An authoritative source of information on African economies. It shows the progress that has recently been made in many parts of the continent towards economic recovery, and provides a solid basis for the consideration of the strategies and policies needed for the socio-economic transformation of Africa.
International Legal Instruments Relevant to Women, E/ECA/ACW/ILI/4(A)/94, Sales No. 95.II.K.7
This new book will enhance the awareness and enlightenment of women and policy makers with regard to the basic legal rights of women and the existing international legal instruments that have been ratified by various Governments, yet are hardly known by policy makers and their collaborators/partners particularly, at the grass-roots level.
The study of institutions and modalities for promoting the financing of small and cottage industries in Africa (ECA/IHSD/IPPIS/006/96, December 1996)
This publication assesses existing financing institutions and proposes ways and means to strengthen cottage and small-scale industrial development in Africa,
Forging Partnerships for Africa's Future. A Prospectus for a Renewed ECA, Addis Ababa, March 1997
This prospectus lays out the renewal of the Economic Commission for Africa, creating a framework for strong alliances between ECA and its development partners for Africa. The Commission arrived at this approach after conducting a carefully designed set of integrated studies and consultations from mid-1995 to mid-1996 that strongly support a reformed ECA.
Measures for enhancing interface between governments, university/research institutes and private sector in developing the capacity of small and medium scale enterprises in Africa, ECA/PHSD/PAM/96/11[3(b)(viii)], December 1996
The study postulates that meaningful interface among stakeholders will contribute to the realization of the immense benefits of SMEs. Issues covered include the role of various stakeholders; enabling infrastructure and institutional environments; and entrepreneurship development.
National Accounts Studies of the ESCWA Region, No. 16, 1997, E/ESCWA/STAT/1996/13, Sales No.: 96.II.L.20
Offers a wealth of national statistics on the countries of Western Asia, comprising aggregates of national accounts and their relative distribution; consolidated accounts in local currencies and at current prices estimates of gross domestic product by expenditure and their value in United States dollars to facilitate comparison.
External Trade Bulletin of the ESCWA Region, E/ESCWA/STAT/1996/12, Sales No. 96.II.L.21
This Bulletin offers data covering overall trade, trends and share of the region in total world trade, import and export distributions of countries according to the Standard International Trade Classification, as well as the structure of intraregional trade and geographical distribution of trade for the period 1985-1995.
Survey of Economic and Social Developments in the ESCWA Region 1995, E/ESCWA/ED/1996/3/Rev.1, Sales No. 96.II.L.18
Thi is the annual review of the economic and social trends in the ESCWA region. Technical publications issued in 1996 include:
-- Investigation of the Regional Basalt Aquifer System in Jordan and Syria
-- Assessment of Water Resources in the ESCWA Region Using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques
ECE, ESCAP, ECLAC, ECA, ESCWA and RCNYO
Should drinking water come with a health warning?
Some 110 million Europeans still do not have access to safe drinking water. Several UN/ECE member countries have recently reported outbreaks of diseases that were thought to have been eradicated in Europe -- all for lack of a safe water supply.
While some Governments are already taking action to fight against the declining quality of water, at the regional level ECE is making all efforts to encourage the protection of water resources. The UN/ECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Water courses and International Lakes 1996 now provides a tool to monitor and assess Europe's water resources quality. Finland will host the first meeting of the Parties to the Convention, in Helsinki from 2 to 4 July 1997. At the 1995 Sofia Ministerial Conference, "Environment for Europe", Governments had already decided to cut water pollution with harmful substances.
Statistical profiles on women
Nineteen statistical profiles of women in Asia-Pacific countries will be published by ESCAP in the coming years. Four profiles on women, in the Philippines, Thailand, Nepal and Bangladesh, are already out. They spotlight the difficulties women face in taking part in social and economic progress on an equal basis with men. ESCAP also helps women exchange information and strengthen their networking. Since 1986, a newsletter with information about women's activities has been part of the work. The plan is to make it available electronically through the Internet.
The studies are revealing. For instance, the Statistical Profile of Women in Thailand indicates that Thailand has more economically active women than any other Asian country. But women still account for about two thirds of the total number of illiterates, and almost seven out of ten women workers are unpaid family workers. Only 4 per cent of parliamentary seats are occupied by women, although women accounted for over 50 per cent of votes cast in past elections. In government services, only 10 per cent of the executive-level officials are females.
Government--NGOs cooperation in population programmes
A regional seminar held in Bangkok, 3-6 February 1997, provided a forum for cooperation in implementing population and development policies among governmental planners and policy makers, representatives of UNDP, UNFPA, FAO and WHO, and NGO representatives from countries in the ESCAP region.
Conference on Electronic Trading in Asia
The regional commission in general have been giving high priority to assist small and medium size enterprises in achieving increased access through the use of information technologies. An example of that was recently set by ESCAP, which, in cooperation with UNCTAD organized a conference and exhibition on electronic trading in Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, from 21 to 23 May 1997.
ECLAC Members adopt "the consensus of Sao Paulo" on social development
In the First Regional Conference in Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development, held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 6 to 9 April 1997, the member countries of the region adopted "the consensus of Sao Paulo", which provides new directions for further fulfilment of the commitments undertaken in the World Summit for Social Development in 1995. In evaluating their implementation so far, they agreed on the importance of continued consolidation of internal consensus within countries of the region, and thereby creating conditions more conducive to the full accomplishment of the Summit objectives. They noted that, for all the progress achieved, the region has not yet demonstrated major gains in social equity.
The Conference noted that the region's Governments and civil society have made great efforts to eliminate social deficits. Public social investment, in particular, has risen in a majority of countries, especially in the education and social security sectors, and in many cases this increase has been associated with a series of social reforms.
The Conference placed special emphasis on educational reforms, not only in order to expand the coverage of the region's educational systems but also to correct their deficiencies in terms of quality, equity of access and the relevance of what is taught, and to try to establish functional and effective relationships among education, popular participation and production systems.
The meeting was organized by ECLAC in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank, the Organization of American States, the Latin American Economic System, the Pan American Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the International Labour Organization) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
ECLAC was requested to convene another meeting within two years to review further progress and obstacles in social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Managerial reform
For the next three years, ECA will devote 60 per cent of its budget to (a) promoting regional cooperation and integration; (b) enhancing the contribution of women to economic development; and (c) utilizing advances in information technology and knowledge for development. This new strategic focus will enable ECA to render more relevant and effective support to the developing countries of Africa in the changing context of increased political and economic liberalization, as stated by K. Y. Amoako, the Executive Secretary of ECA, while addressing the Managers Forum, organized by the Managers Reform Group on 11 April 1997.
The sharpening of focus is possible in view of the systematic and substantive reform of the management and programme structure undertaken recently by ECA. This involved a move away from a sectoral to a thematic approach; and concentration and reduction of the number of programmes from nine to five.
The internal reform has been coupled with emphasis on partnership with African intergovernmental organizations, UN bodies and specialized agencies, donor countries, African universities, research centers and civil society groups.
Move to Beirut
All preparations and logistical arrangements are now in full swing for relocation of the ESCWA Secretariat to Beirut, which was its first location upon establishment in 1968. The relocation initiative follows the decision of the commission in May 1994 accepting the offer of the Government of Lebanon to relocate the permanent headquarters of the Commission to Beirut. Two months later, ECOSOC approved the relocation proposal.
Under the agreed arrangement for relocation, the government of Lebanon will provide ESCWA with an office building currently under construction in the center of Beirut. According to the Lebanese Government's estimation, the building should be ready for occupancy by September 1997, and the Commission is making plans to move to Beirut by that date. The building will house over 300 ESCWA staff as well as the staff of other United Nations agencies in Beirut.
ESCWA's move to Beirut will be financed primarily from extrabudgetary resources as provided for in the relevant resolutions. A Steering Committee, headed by the Executive Secretary, was established in 1995 to oversee preparations for the move.
Water resources
An Expert Group Meeting on Water Legislation was convened (Amman, November 1996) to review the existing and/or planned efforts to formulate water laws, regulations and ordinances of water resources in the ESCWA region. The meeting provided an exchange of views on the establishment of mechanisms for the enforcement of such legislation, which will be reflected on a publication to be issued in 1997.
One-day seminar held at the Wainwright House on the role of the regional commissions
The regional commissions, in collaboration with the Ralph Bunche Institute on the United Nations, convened a one-day seminar on Saturday, 7 June 1997, at the Wainwright House Conference facilities in Rye, New York. The purpose of this gathering was to have an informal, open discussion with delegations to clarify their own ideas regarding the role of regional commissions.
Regional Commissions Home Pages:
ECE: www.unece.org
ESCAP: www.un.org/Depts/escap
ECLAC: www.eclac.cl
ECA: www.un.org/Depts/eca
RCNYO
For information on the publications of the Regional Commissions, or for any other matter relating to the Regional Commissions Development Update newsletter, please contact the Regional Commissions New York Office, Room S-3127, United Nations, NY, NY 10017, tel (212) 963-6905, fax (212) 963-1500.