ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT ISSUE ADDRESSED IN SECOND COMMITTEE
Press Release
GA/EF/2688
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT ISSUE ADDRESSED IN SECOND COMMITTEE
19951026 The question of Africa's development, as considered by the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council, was addressed by several speakers this afternoon as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) concluded its consideration of the Council's report.The representative of the Republic of Korea said the choice of the theme had been timely as Africa was a test case in international cooperation for development and the Council had a major role to play in that regard. The representative of Bulgaria also commended the Council for its deliberations on the development of Africa, stating it was an urgent priority calling for solidarity by the international community.
Expressing disappointment, the representative of Nigeria said the Council's report did not contain the recommendations on how to deal with the problems of Africa's development, just the lamentations about its plight. The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania also expressed disappointment with the lack of specific recommendations to the General Assembly for the preparation of the mid-term review of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s to be held next year.
Also this afternoon, the representative of Bangladesh said some 1.11 billion people lacked access to safe water and another 2.87 billion access to sanitation. The objective of providing safe water and sanitation services was inextricably linked to poverty eradication; there was an urgent need to mobilize adequate financial resources to resolve that problem.
The representative of Uganda attached the utmost importance to the implementation of the World Health Organization global AIDS strategy, stressing the need for a constant tab on the global trend of HIV/AIDS.
The representative of Algeria called for a more audacious and imaginative communication strategy to dispel the controversies over the United Nations. Such a strategy would lead to a better understanding of the Organization's various activities in development, peace-keeping and humanitarian assistance.
The representative of India said it appeared that the differences between developed and developing countries were over the approach to the role
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the Council should play, adding that proposals about its reform should aim at strengthening intergovernmental bodies. The representative of the United States said the working methods of the Council were improving -- from twice a year it was now meeting just once a year, and instead of discussing its report for three days the Committee did that in just one day.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 27 October, to begin consideration of renewal of the dialogue on strengthening development cooperation through partnership.
Committee Work Programme
The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met this afternoon to continue consideration of the report of the Economic and Social Council. (For background information, see Press Release GA/EF/2687, issued this morning.)
Statements Made
FAROOQ SOBHAN (Bangladesh) said the recent meeting at Headquarters on least developed countries (LDCs) had once again demonstrated the international community's resolve to solve the development crisis of the poor countries. The meeting's recommendations on trade, external finance and debt should be urgently implemented. A more action-oriented approach should be formulated to divert foreign direct investment to the LDCs. Some 1.11 billion people lacked access to safe water and another 2.87 billion access to sanitation. The objective of providing safe water and sanitation services was inextricably linked to poverty eradication. Adequate financial resources were urgently needed to resolve the problem.
He also said there was need for an integrated framework for a global partnership of development. Coordination of the follow-up of the major international conferences could be done at the intergovernmental, inter-agency and country levels. The Economic and Social Council could identify crucial issues that required a regular, thematic policy review by the Second and Third Committees of the General Assembly. The United Nations system, and the functional as well as regional commissions could play a role in implementing the recommendations of the conferences. He also called for enhanced coordination between the United Nations, the Bretton Woods institutions and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the follow-up of the conferences.
MOONHWAN KIM (Republic of Korea) said the themes of the 1995 substantive session had been timely. Africa was a test case in international cooperation for development and the Council had a major role to play in that regard. Various proposals had been made to help Africa in its plight. The true potential of the high-level segment had not materialized yet. Referring to the United Nations development-related conferences, he said it was for the Council to consider their integrated follow-up. The presentation of consolidated reports should be explored.
TSVETOLYUB BASMAJIEV (Bulgaria) said the development of Africa, the theme of the Council's high-level segment in 1995, was an urgent priority and called for solidarity by the international community. He commended the Council's deliberations on the matter. He shared the view that there was a need to improve the policy dialogue between the Council and the international financial institutions by making it more result oriented. He stressed the Council's role in the implementation of recommendations of major United Nations conferences, adding that those recommendations should be compiled,
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have their costs estimated and ordered according to their importance, and at least national schedules should be set up to put them into effect. He supported the streamlining of the Council's work and the strengthening of the role of the functional commissions.
ARUN KUMAR SINGH (India) said his delegation had no difficulty in endorsing the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council's substantive session. Action should be taken on the agreed framework for implementing recommendations of the major conferences. It appeared that the differences between developed and developing countries were over the approach to the role the Council should play. The high-level segment of its sessions should be made more effective. Its work programme should be adjusted to provide for dialogue with the heads of the institutions and agencies.
Proposals about the reform of the Council should lead to an increased and enhanced role for the Council and should also be aimed at strengthening intergovernmental bodies.
HUGH T. DUGAN (United States) said that as the restructuring of the Organization in the economic and social fields was an item that would soon be taken up by the plenary of the Assembly, he would refer to that matter there. Noting that other Council agenda items would also be taken up in plenary, he said that was appropriate. The Council's work methods were improving: from twice a year the Council was now meeting just once a year, and instead of discussing its report for three days the Committee would be doing that in just one day.
He supported further improvement of those methods, as well as the European Union statement in that regard. It had been good to see the Director-General of the WTO participating in the policy dialogue as part of the high-level segment. Reviewing the other segments, he said it had been helpful to have representatives of Viet Nam participating in the operational activities segment to discuss their country's strategy note. The biennialization of reports before the general segment seemed to be working well, calling for further biennialization. The subsidiary machinery should be represented at the highest level for an exchange of views with delegations.
AMBROSE D. OJIMBA (Nigeria) said several delegations had referred to the theme of reform of the economic and social bodies. That should be urgently examined with a view to strengthen the role of the Council. He was disappointed with the final outcome of the high-level segment and supported the comments of the European Union in that regard. The Council's report did not contain the recommendations on how to deal with the problems of Africa's development, just the lamentations about its plight.
KATINDA KAMANDO (United Republic of Tanzania) said appropriate measures were being taken in his country to implement the global malaria control
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strategy of the World Health Organization (WHO). The measures could not be effective unless countries such as Tanzania were assisted in the areas of capacity-building and appropriate technology. His delegation supported the view expressed on behalf of the European Union concerning the outcome of the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council session devoted to the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s.
His country's expectation, he said, had been that the Council would make specific recommendations to the General Assembly for the preparation of the mid-term review planned for next year. So far, that had not happened. His delegation, like others, believed that more weight should be given to the conclusions of that segment of the session.
MERZAK BELHIMEUR (Algeria) said his country supported the statement of the Philippines on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China. Concerning the report of the Joint Inspection Unit on communication for development, Algeria believed that a more audacious and imaginative communication strategy would contribute to dispelling the controversies over some United Nations activities. Such a strategy would help promote a better understanding of the Organization's activities in development, peace-keeping and humanitarian assistance.
ODYEK AGONA (Uganda) said his country attached the utmost importance to the implementation of the global AIDS strategy. It stressed the need for keeping a constant tab on the global trend of HIV/AIDS. He expressed his country's appreciation to the efforts of all organizations of the United Nations system, the international community and non-governmental organizations for their assistance in the fight against that disease.
His country would continue to accord high national priority to the fight against malarial and diarrhoeal diseases, including cholera. It also agreed with the recommendations calling for global commitment to the crusade through mobilization of resources, development of national control strategies and plans and with the need for training of manpower in the area of public health.
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