UNITED
NATIONS  GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
INFORMAL
HEARINGS OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND BUSINESS SECTOR
ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT
BUSINESS
SECTOR HEARING
NOTES
FOR THE CHAIRMAN
28 OCTOBER 2003
Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Afternoon:
These
business hearings constitute the second important segment
of today's Hearings, which bring a non-governmental perspective
to financing for development, and in particular, the 29-30
October High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development.
We had
the benefit, in the first segment, to hear the views of
civil society on the critical issue of financing for development.
As President of the General Assembly and Chair of this and
the earlier Civil Society Hearing, I am pleased with the
level of interest which has been generated, and indeed,
sustained, in the follow-up to the International Conference
on Financing for Development, held in Monterrey, Mexico
in March 2003.
Non-state
actors do have a critical role to play in implementation
of the global development agenda in general, and in particular,
the FfD Conference. Within this framework, and specifically
in respect of development financing, there is a special
place for the business community.
I have
had extensive personal experience in business, as well as
development. Therefore, I understand fully the calls for
a more equitable development, and the role development financing
must play if we are to achieve this objective. It is clear
from the outcome of the FfD Conference the areas in which
the business community can participate to assist governments
and the international community in moving forward the undertakings
and commitments made at Monterrey. Many are looking to the
business community to be dependable partners with Governments,
making their own essential contribution and giving their
active support in this area.
I welcome
business participants attending this Hearing. I would encourage
a frank and open discussion, so that your views may be taken
into account in the critical policy decisions we will be
taking in the context of financing for development, and
as we plan for the High-level Event in 2005.
As you
know, there will be three panels as part of this Business
Hearings. The first Panel will address the topic, "Making
Business-Government Linkages more effective in the implementation
of the Monterrey Consensus". That Panel will
be moderated by Ms. Maria Livanos Cattaui, the Secretary
General of the International Chamber of Commerce. Our second
Panel, on the topic "Concrete ways to mobilize
private sector capital for the implementation of the Monterrey
Consensus" will be moderated by Mr. Paul
Underwood, the Executive Director of the Business
Council for the United Nations. The third Panel,
"Enhancing policy coherence for the implementation
of the Monterrey Consensus" will be moderated
by Mr. Rick Samans, Director of Global Issues
at the World Economic Forum.
The Moderators will introduce the panelists, set the ground
rules for the session and moderate the discussion. Each
panel session will last for approximately 50 minutes. My
duties as President of the General Assembly will shortly
take me back to the Plenary, were I am presiding over the
debate on the critical issue of United Nations Reform. Therefore,
I wish at this stage, to recognize the three Moderators,
Ms. Cattaui, Mr. Underwood and Mr. Samans. I now turn the
floor over to Ms Cattaui, who will pass on to Mr. Underwood,
and in turn, Mr. Underwood will turn over to Mr. Samans.
I thank
you.
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