HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT OF NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT SET OUT MAJOR TASKS FOR UNCTAD
Press Release
TAD/1804
HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT OF NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT SET OUT MAJOR TASKS FOR UNCTAD
19951025 GENEVA, 24 October (UNCTAD) -- The need to bring development back to the centre stage of international deliberations and the crucial role of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in this pursuit featured high in the discussions among the heads of State or government of the Non-Aligned Movement at their Summit Meeting held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from 18 to 20 October. In addition to extensive references to UNCTAD's role in the omnibus final declaration of about 100 pages, the Summit adopted a separate declaration on UNCTAD.The heads of State or government reiterated a call by the Non-Aligned Movement made earlier this year at ministerial level for strengthening UNCTAD. They reaffirmed their support "for the mandate of UNCTAD as the focal point within the United Nations for the integrated treatment of development and interrelated issues including trade, commodities, finance, investment, external debt, services, technology and environment".
The declaration reaffirms "the central role of UNCTAD as the primary economic organization under the United Nations and as a universal forum for intergovernmental deliberations and negotiations; policy and consensus- building; monitoring, implementation and follow-up; and technical cooperation, with a view to accelerating economic growth and development, particularly that of developing countries".
Stressing UNCTAD's role as a forum for building consensus on new and emerging issues and preparing the groundwork for negotiations of further trade agreements, the heads of State or government stated their conviction that the appointment of the new Secretary-General of UNCTAD will lead to a further strengthening of the organization. (The new UNCTAD Secretary-General is Rubens Ricupero of Brazil.)
In the context of preparations for UNCTAD IX, UNCTAD is urged to "identify ways of maximizing the development impact of globalization and liberalization while minimizing the dangers of instability and marginalization". The UNCTAD is requested to study trends and issues in the world economy that have an impact on developing countries and to propose policies that can address projected problems.
- 2 - Press Release TAD/1804 25 October 1995
The declaration identifies major tasks for the organization, including the revival of its role in the field of trade and related issues, such as investment rules, competition policy and financial flows. The UNCTAD is also called upon to identify market access opportunities arising from the Uruguay Round Agreements and to suggest measures to mitigate possible negative effects. Work on the Generalized System of Preferences and trade facilitation should also be re-invigorated. And UNCTAD should support developing countries in formulating policies for infrastructure development and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.
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