DPI/NGO Briefing

The Road to Doha: Financing for Development
17 May 2007

Summary

The briefing this week looked at the current efforts underway for Financing for Development and discussed the road ahead to the Follow-up International Conference, to be held in Doha, Qatar, in the latter part of 2008. Mr. Oscar de Rojas, Director, United Nations Financing for Development Office, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Dr. Margaret O. Blamberg, NGO Committee on Financing for Development, and Mr. Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu, Second Secretary, Permanent mission of Mexico to the United Nations discussed the sources and beneficiaries of development funds along with current challenges facing the achievement of more equitable global development.

Mr.Oscar de Rojas commenced the discussion by reminding those in attendance that the follow-up to the Financing for Development (FFD) Conference, The Road to Doha, was approaching quickly. Development had always been an important part of the United Nations agenda and was included in its charter, but development gained more attention in the 1970s and there was talk of establishing a new international economic order. That concept never really took hold Mr. de Rojas added. While that was disappointing, many felt the issue of development needed a more holistic approach, which is what made the International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Monterrey, Mexico in 2002 so unique. The Monterey Conference proved successful because the despite the difficulties in reaching consensus on controversial issues that conference included the participation of the Bretton Woods Institutions, the World Trade Organization and civil society. Due to the success of the Monterrey Conference, financing for development was now on the top of the world agenda. Mr. de Rojas expressed his opinion that the General Assembly had made a wise choice to hold a follow-up conference in 2008 and that the NGO community needed to keep up their involvement in all FFD actions. Many exciting events were ahead as the follow-up conference approaches. “My office remains always open to you”, de Rojas concluded and also extended the invitation to visit FFD the website (www.un.org/esa/ffd/) for more information.

Carlos Ruiz Massieu began by emphasizing Mexico’s involvement in the FFD process and its role as a “bridge-builder” among developing countries. The Monterey Conference of 2002 went beyond just the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), putting pressure on other important issues, but the MDGs could not be achieved without the Monterrey Consensus. The modalities for the follow-up conference to Monterrey had not been decided yet. Nor was it decided whether or not countries would simply review the progress made since Monterrey or go beyond that towards new commitments and stronger follow-up mechanisms. The current follow-up mechanisms included two meetings of the Economic and Social Council with the Bretton Woods Institutions and civil society, and a high-level dialogue of the General Assembly held every two years. The role of NGOs in this process, as well that of the Bretton Woods Institutions, WTO and the private sector was essential and “we cannot loose that which we have gained,” stated Mr. Massieu, encouraging the NGO community to “keep up the good work.” He then reminded those in attendance that he was speaking on a personal level and that all of those topics needed to be discussed and agreed on by member states in the review conference.

Dr. Margaret Blamberg focused her speech more narrowly on agricultural trade, discussing basic principles, managing export policy, and fair trade. Basic principles included food security, sustainability in the development of agricultural exports, and the inclusion of women and marginalized groups in all agricultural negotiations. The “blue suit and gold Rolex” wall needed to be diminished and those marginalized by the issues needed to become a part of the decision making process. Dr. Blamberg then emphasized that each agricultural commodity was idiosyncratic, making the point that there was no “one size fits all” solution. She discussed the four whites (cotton, dairy, rice, and sugar) and the need to change policies in order to create greater benefits for the third world producers. Dr. Blamberg shared her experience of seeing women in Thailand working in the sugar cane fields in appalling conditions for only 80 cents a day. She stressed the importance of focusing not only on international trade reform in terms of what profits the countries, but also in terms of what it does to the workers.

During the question and answer period, questions concerning capital export, fair trade and global warming were all addressed as being complicated issues that negatively affect the poorest countries. More could be done on these issues with stronger follow-up mechanisms, government involvement and NGO participation.

A compilation of short UN in Action videos were screened at 10:00 a.m.

Approximately 120 NGO representatives attended the meeting.

Only to be filled out by NGOs associated with DPI

Accreditation
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