STATEMENT BY MR. ASHRAF QURESHI, LEADER OF THE PAKISTAN DELEGATION
TO THETHIRD UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE LEAST DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES (BRUSSELS 14-20 MAY, 2001)
16 MAY 2001
(check against delivery)
Mr Chairman,
Before
offering our comments on the Conference itself, I would like to touch upon some
aspects of globalisation on which interpretations differ radically. Without
entering into polemics, I would like to emphasise that all aspects of
globalising are deeply inter-linked and require a holistic approach.
It is a
fact that globalisation has so far not worked for the developing countries. It
has rather made them vulnerable to external shocks and accentuated their
economic problems. In fact, liberalisation of economies and open markets has in
many ways adversely affected the fragile economies of the world's poorest
nations. The obvious outcome is pervasive poverty and everwidening income,
social and technological gaps between the "haves" and the
"have-nots". Unprecedented wealth exists in this world alongside
abject poverty with massive disparities in levels of economic and social
development. Statistics in this regard are staggering.
Mr Chairman,
It is
encouraging to note that there is a growing realisation in the international
community of the need to remove these imbalances. The presence of such a number
of highlevel political leaders at this Conference reflects the international
resolve to eradicate poverty and accelerate development. This Conference indeed
provides us a unique opportunity to create and promote an international
economic environment that supports LDCs in their efforts to break the vicious
circle of poverty, hunger and under-development. It is imperative that we do
not allow this opportunity to slip by. Let us commit ourselves to save the
succeeding generations from pervasive poverty and to avert negative
consequences of globalisation and work for the widely shared goals of peace and
prosperity for all.
Mr Chairman,
The
implementation of the Program of Action (POA) adopted by the Second United
Nations Conference on the LDCs has been far from satisfactory. In many cases,
the situation of LDCs has worsened. The development programs and policies
adopted by the LDCs were rendered ineffective due to challenges posed by
globalisation and liberalisation, the continuous decline in ODA flows and the
high level of their external debt. We should, therefore, build on the lessons
learnt.
While
we would have an opportunity to share our views in detail on the draft POA
during our deliberations, we would like to share our general comments on this
document which would be the most important outcome of this Conference.
We
consider the Program of Action for LDCs as the beginning of a new effort for a
more durable solution to the problems of the LDCs. We hope that new and
innovative ways would be found for securing sustainable development as well as
generating necessary political will to sustain them. Innovative ways should
include means to provide new and additional resources and technical support to
the LDCs in order to enable secure and sustainable development for their
economies.
Mr Chairman,
The
Conference should, among others, focus on four principal areas of concern to
LDCs. Firstly, enhancement of Official Development Assistance (ODA). Secondly,
finding durable solutions to the crippling external debt burden of LDCs.
Thirdly, improving market access for products of export interest to LDCs. And
fourthly, establishing an enabling economic environment, which fully supports
the domestic policy framework, adopted by these countries.
Official
Development Assistance is critical to the development needs of the Least
Developed Countries. Regrettably, there has been a consistent decline in ODA
flows. In nominal terms, ODA dropped from $63 billion in 1992 to $51.9 billion
in 1998. With the exception of few countries, the target of 0.7 percent has not
been met by donors. If the agreed target could be met, this alone would yield
around 100 billion, most of which would be going to LDCs. The draft POA offers
some suggestions in this regard but essentially does not go beyond urging the
industrialised countries to meet the agreed targets, which is certainly not
adequate.
External
debt continues to be a key obstacle to development in the Least Developed
Countries, and in some cases, constitutes the principal drain on their domestic
savings and resources. The HIPC initiative is a welcome step but the relief
granted to these heavily indebted poor countries is minimal and is fraught with
complex and intrusive conditionalities. Moreover, HIPC accounts for only a
fraction of the total debt of the developing world. There is a definite need to
develop a comprehensive approach on this issue that should also provide debt
relief to non-HIPC LDCs and other developing countries. Funding for debt relief
must be additional and not a substitute for other forms of development
assistance, New initiatives are needed for a durable solution including
outright debt cancellation of the middle-income countries as well.
The
biggest challenge before this Conference is eradication of poverty and
underdevelopment. Poverty alleviation is an ongoing process, requiring constant
reappraisal of strategies. A greater synergy among efforts by all stakeholders
i.e. states, civil societies and international community is required to create
an enabling environment both at national and international level. The Least
Developed Countries must get the required support from the international
community to reach these goals.
The most
sustainable way to eradicate poverty could be through improved market access to
the export products of the developing countries. A general willingness on the
part of the developed countries to grant quota-free, duty free access to the
products originating from LDCs is a welcome initiative. We expect this to be
extended to all developing countries especially those that have not reached a sustainable level of development. Trade barriers
against their products should be reduced, tariff peaks removed and GSP schemes
expanded.
Mr Chairman,
Despite
domestic financial constraints Pakistan has continued to provide technical,
economic and humanitarian assistance to the LDCs. Under the Pakistan Technical
Assistance Programme and Special Technical Assistance Programme for Africa
fifty seats are reserved for students from LDCs in our professional colleges
and more than 800 participants from LDCs have benefited from training
programmes in the fields of banking, diplomacy, language skills, railways and
accounting. The Government of Pakistan has also been extending trade credits
and substantial humanitarian assistance to some LDCs. We would continue with
our modest efforts in future as well.
Mr Chairman,
In
order to ensure that this Conference succeeds in effectively contributing to
the development endeavours of LDCs, the international community should not only
agree on concrete and tangible measures but also muster the political will to
achieve these goals. The Conference should also devise suitable implementation
mechanisms to translate the POA into reality. We also hope that this Conference
will lead to a reduction in the number of LDCs by utilising the innovative tools
for wealth creation and development. We must commit ourselves to actions. This
is the only way to achieve the goals that we set for ourselves and for LDCs.
Finally,
I would like to assure you of Pakistan's fullest cooperation during the deliberations
on these important issues. I would also like to assure our partners in the
least developed countries of our full support to the cause which is not only
theirs but ours.
I thank you, Mr Chairman.