UNITED
NATIONS  GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
H.E. MR JULIAN R. HUNTE
AT
THE INFORMAL BRIEFING ON THE STATUS OF PREPARATIONS
FOR UNCTAD XI
UNITED
NATIONS HEADQUARTERS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
27
APRIL 2004
Mr.
Ricupero, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies
and Gentlemen:
There
is a particular message that has echoed in the several
development fora and discussions in which I have participated
recently, both in and out of the United Nations. It is
that a more effective response is needed, and urgently,
to the problems of development, problems including aid,
trade, debt and related issues. There is also a sense
of urgency that we must pick up the pace, if we are to
meet the 2015 targets of the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs).
The
obvious question that comes to mind is why, when we have
had so many important conferences and summits over the
past decade, including a pivotal conference on financing
for development, the follow-up has not yet ensured the
development results expected? Is it possible to get this
"implementation" side of our work right?
International
trade is vital to the achievement of sustainable development
for all countries. Numerous developing countries, however,
have particular concerns in this area. Many assert that
international trade rules do not adequately respond to
the problems that are posing the most serious problems
for them, and that some of the rules may in fact be detrimental
to them.
The
capacity of many developing countries to participate in
rule making is also limited. The prospect of not being
around the table when decisions are being taken, and yet
being bound by those decisions, is a very real challenge.
Besides these general concerns, many developing countries
have made known their interest in a truly "development
agenda".
I
am pleased to note that the issue of coherence is being
given greater focus, as well it should be. As you know,
this was a central issue of the Special Meeting between
the ECOSOC, Bretton Woods institutions and the World Trade
Organization, now joined by UNCTAD. It stands to reason
that appropriate responses can only be formulated when
all concerned institutions have the full picture of the
country's circumstances.
As
the principal organ of the General Assembly dealing with
trade, investment and development issues, UNCTAD continues
to play a central role in supporting sustainable development,
including through the promotion of a fair trading system.
I
have made these observations to underscore the juncture
at which UNCTAD XI is being convened, and the key role
the Conference must play in addressing an extensive list
of development concerns. As the only major United Nations
economic conference to be convened this year, the priority
issues UNCTAD must address are self-evident.
Given
what is at stake for the developing countries, the Conference
should take fully into account the need for translating
commitments in the development field into action in areas
ranging from trade to investment, commodities to ICTs
for development. Helping to prepare developing countries
to take advantage of opportunities arising from the Doha
Round and reviewing coherence between national development
strategies and global economic processes are but some
of the issues to which I am sure that UNCTAD will turn
its attention.
UNCTAD
XI, however, has another very important task - to reorient
the work of UNCTAD and to position it to better serve
its Member States. It is work that might include efforts
for building greater understanding of, and consensus on,
issues such as small economies, and in that context, the
economies of SIDS; the need to enable LDCs and SIDS to
participate in the global economic system, lest they be
further marginalized; commodity-related issues and policy
responses at the national and international levels; and
mainstreaming of trade and investment into poverty reduction
strategies. UNCTAD´s support to developing countries
in trade policy formulation and trade negotiations has
been valuable, and this aspect of its work could be further
strengthened.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen:
What
brings us here this morning is an informal briefing on
the status of preparations for UNCTAD XI. I myself am
looking forward to an excellent presentation from Mr.
Ricupero, and later on, to the remainder of the day's
proceedings. I would urge your full engagement in this
day's briefing, because I believe that the information
we receive and the dialogue in which we will engage will
contribute to an excellent outcome for UNCTAD XI.
I
thank you.
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