SECOND COMMITTEE WELCOMES PROPOSALS FOR RENEWED DIALOGUE ON INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

27 October 1995

Press Release
GA/EF/2689

SECOND COMMITTEE WELCOMES PROPOSALS FOR RENEWED DIALOGUE ON INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

19951027 Concludes Consideration of Question

Developed and developing countries this morning welcomed proposals for a renewal of dialogue on international economic cooperation for development as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) concluded discussions of the subject. They said the dialogue should be linked to the ongoing elaboration of An Agenda for Development by an open-ended working group.

The representative of the Russian Federation said the themes of the dialogue should cover the interests of all groups of countries, the private sector and non-governmental organizations. The possible topics proposed by the Secretary-General, including globalization of the world economy, were worthy of careful consideration. Additional themes of global dimension could include military conversion.

The representative of the Republic of Korea said the dialogue could be promoted by, among others, the institutionalization of the dialogue between developed and developing countries. For its universality and 50 years of experience, the United Nations must play a central role in shaping that dialogue.

The representative of Spain, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said consideration of the matter might also be affected by the future debate on the restructuring and revitalization of the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields.

The representative of Iran said partnership for development was essential to the creation of a just international climate. The topics for a comprehensive dialogue should include themes such as the worsening terms of trade, stagnation and decline of official development assistance (ODA) flows, instability in global financial markets, the widening income gap between developed and developing countries and implementation of agreed international commitments.

Second Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/EF/2689 17th Meeting (AM) 27 October 1995

The representative of Indonesia said the themes for the dialogue should take fully into account the ongoing work on An Agenda for Development. Preparations for the dialogue should be broadened to include other actors in the development process and should also be conducted in an atmosphere of trust.

The representative of India said the opportunity provided by the initiative on renewed dialogue should be seized to advance the cause of development and reorient effectively the focus and priority of activities in the United Nations towards development. It also provided an opportunity to promote the central role of the Organization in development dialogue.

The representative of Cyprus said his country was ready and willing to become a bridge of cooperation between Europe and the Middle East. Cyprus aspired to becoming a vital centre of economic activity in the emerging regional cooperation. He reiterated his country's resolve to promote full implementation of decisions emanating from regional and international conferences and other forums with respect to strengthening economic cooperation through partnership.

Sarbuland Khan, Chief of the Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, introduced the report of the Secretary-General on the "Renewal of dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership". A representative of the World Bank also made a statement.

The Second Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Monday, 30 October, to begin consideration of agenda items relating to environmental issues.

Committee Work Programme

The Second Committee met this morning to begin consideration of an item entitled "Renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership". The General Assembly in resolution 49/95 reaffirmed that the dialogue should be conducted in reply to the imperatives of mutual interests and benefits, genuine interdependence and shared responsibility. It also said that the United Nations system should play a central role in facilitating the dialogue.

Report of Secretary-General

The Secretary-General's report on renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership (A/50/480) states that the agenda for development, on which substantial progress had been made by an ad hoc open-ended working group, would have a direct bearing on the selection of themes for the pursuit of the development dialogue. The agenda, as it had so far emerged from the working group, pays particular attention to the relationship between development, peace and security and underscores the need for partnership, taking into account the trends towards globalization, regional cooperation and interdependence. It also urges an integrated approach to development and underlines the need for democracy, transparent and accountable governance, and the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development.

The themes for the dialogue should promote broader and deeper understanding of global issues, according to the report. It calls for the input of all concerned actors with specific issues being appropriately addressed at the international, regional and national levels and in communities as well.

It proposes other possible themes such as globalization of financial and other markets; regional integration; new information technologies; international migration; prevention and management of emergencies and post- conflict peace-building; and crime, drugs, violence and global stability.

The report notes that internationalization of many economic activities, the effects of new information technologies and of modern transport and communications, the global consequences of actions regarding the planet's resources and the erosion of many economic frontiers called for major adjustments in the nature and scope of international cooperation. Financial flows, trade, investment, poverty, hunger, conflicts, environmental degradation, contagious diseases, migration and drug addiction all had international dimensions that could not be resolved by national efforts alone. Coordinated international action was required to get at the causes of those problems.

Second Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/EF/2689 17th Meeting (AM) 27 October 1995

In a section on modalities for the dialogue, the report says the United Nations should be the natural place for it, and that discussions should be at a high political level with issues or themes clearly defined. Preparations for the dialogue should not only involve the United Nations and the concerned organizations of the system, but also other actors in development and the academic and scientific community. The report suggests that the theme to be selected for the dialogue should be chosen in a timely manner, preferably at least a year or more in advance to allow for adequate preparations.

The process of dialogue could also involve meetings organized under the auspices of regional and interregional organizations; the convening of forums by non-governmental organizations; hearings and meetings of parliamentarians could be organized as could the commissioning of studies and expert groups by universities and other academic and public bodies. A public information programme should also be implemented. The high-level part of the dialogue could be held for a period of two or three days in the early part of the General Assembly. Special sessions of the General Assembly and summit meetings could also be envisaged. The report adds that the outcome of the dialogue should range from a presidential summary or a declaration/statement to agreed conclusions or decisions.

In conclusion, the report emphasizes that the dialogue should be pursued in a climate of trust and in clear recognition of the fact that development for all countries was a process of growth and change. Account should be taken of each other's interests, with priority given to the economically weak developing countries. "A high-level dialogue conducted in such a constructive spirit in the General Assembly will also help reinvigorate the Assembly's policy-making role in the economic, social and related fields and enable the United Nations to contribute to the improvement of the management and governance of the world economy", the report adds.

Statements Made

SARBULAND KHAN, Chief of the Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, introducing the report of the Secretary-General, said its central feature was inter-connectedness. The renewed dialogue should be conducted in a manner relevant to the concerns of people and also help make the United Nations more responsive to their problems.

He said it was for governments to decide on the kinds of issues amenable to a renewed dialogue. The modalities suggested in the report were likewise intended to stimulate debate on the best and most effective means of giving practical shape to the ideas of inter-connectedness and interdependence.

MIGUEL AGUIRRE DE CARCER (Spain), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the issue of renewed dialogue was closely related to the ongoing work on An Agenda for Development and on a coordinated follow-up by the United

Second Committee - 4 - Press Release GA/EF/2689 17th Meeting (AM) 27 October 1995

Nations system of the results of the major international conferences in the economic, social and related fields. They considered that discussion of the matter should be brought in close connection with the debate on An Agenda for Development and other reform processes.

The European Union considered that, in future, the further consideration of the subject should not be done under a separate agenda item but rather incorporated into one of the other related items of the Second Committee.

YURIY N. ISAKOV (Russian Federation) said there was consensus on the need for dialogue on development partnership and the role to be played by the United Nations in that process. An Agenda for Development was of particular importance in strengthening that dialogue. As stated in the Secretary- General's report, the dialogue should keep in mind the interests of all groups of countries, as well as the private sector and non-governmental organizations. He said the possible topics proposed by the Secretary-General, including globalization of the world economy, were worthy of careful consideration. Additional themes of global dimension could include military conversion; the process of choosing themes should synchronize with the elaboration of the development agenda. He said he supported Spain's proposal that future consideration of the dialogue on development partnership should take place as another agenda item of the Committee.

MOOHWAN KIM (Republic of Korea) said he attached great importance to the negotiations on An Agenda for Development, and he stressed the links between peace and development. The dialogue for development through partnership, he said, could be promoted by its institutionalization between developed and developing countries. Because of its universality and 50 years of experience, the United Nations must play a central role in shaping that dialogue. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) should endeavour to reinforce its operational activities, taking into account the potential of countries and regions. He stressed that all forms of assistance from developed countries were important to revitalize south-south cooperation.

JALAL ALAVI (Iran) said partnership for development was essential for the creation of a just international climate. The end of the cold war provided a unique opportunity for such partnership. He drew attention to the great challenges and opportunities, as well as risks, which were part of the globalization and interdependence of the world economy. An Agenda for Development, which would have a direct bearing on the dialogue, should be aimed at creating an international economic environment favourable to developing countries. Topics for a comprehensive dialogue should include such themes as the worsening terms of trade, stagnation and decline of official development assistance (ODA) flows, instability in global financial markets, the widening income gap between developed and developing countries, and implementation of agreed international commitments. He stressed the importance of the General Assembly as the only forum for policy debate

Second Committee - 5 - Press Release GA/EF/2689 17th Meeting (AM) 27 October 1995

according to the United Nations Charter, and said it was the right place for the development dialogue to take place.

ARUN KUMAR SINGH (India) said the initiative on renewed dialogue provided the opportunity to advance the cause of development, and to reorient the focus and priority of United Nations activities towards development. The central role of the United Nations in development dialogue could be promoted.

There was a need to avoid duplication. Issues chosen should not be those already under discussion in other forums. He suggested a high-level policy dialogue in the General Assembly on the identified items each year. The preparatory process proposed in the report should serve as precedent for other areas of United Nations activity.

ELISE F. PACHTER, World Bank, said the Bank was building its United Nations partnerships in support of economic development. It was also exploring new areas, such as post-conflict reconstruction, with lending for civilian employment of demobilized soldiers. In its work on HIV/AIDS, the World Bank had an active partnership with five other agencies.

She said that in recent months she had useful dialogue with many of the leaders of the United Nations and its agencies. The World Bank was working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and others to identify ways in which it could support post-conflict reconstruction. There would be a meeting in Geneva next week of Bank officials working in Angola, Mozambique, the Horn of Africa, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They would discuss practical ways to work on transitions to development in countries where that was possible.

Stressing the importance of non-governmental organizations in the debate on sustainable development, she said that at the recent annual meetings of the Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, there was dialogue with those organizations. In addition, meetings had also been held in a number of countries to encourage private enterprise to look for opportunities to invest in developing countries.

NUGROHO WISNUMURTI (Indonesia) said the selection of issues and themes for the dialogue should take fully into account the ongoing elaboration of An Agenda for Development. The dialogue and the agenda should be mutually supportive and interwoven. Preparations for the dialogue should be broadened to include other actors in the development process and should also be conducted in an atmosphere of trust. The interests of the extremely weak developing countries should consistently be taken into account and given high priority.

Second Committee - 6 - Press Release GA/EF/2689 17th Meeting (AM) 27 October 1995

He said a high-level segment could be held for a few days at the beginning of the General Assembly. The dialogue should serve to advance partnership in international cooperation for development, including the implementation of existing agreements and commitments.

DEMETRIOS THEOPHYLACTOU (Cyprus) expressed full support for the Israeli- Palestinian Accords because of the significance of the foundation of peace and stability in the Middle East. In that regard, the question of strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region was also of great importance. Cyprus was ready and willing to become a bridge of cooperation between Europe and the Middle East. "We aspire to becoming a vital centre of economic activity in the emerging architecture of regional cooperation."

The Cyprus Foreign Minister, he continued, had recently presented to the Palestinian leadership in Gaza a comprehensive aid package as an expression of support to the peace process and the enhancement of cooperation in the area. The aim of the package was to help in practical ways in areas where assistance was urgently needed and in the most expeditious way, so that results might be felt immediately by the ordinary people. He reiterated his country's resolve to promote full implementation of decisions emanating from regional and international conferences and other forums for strengthening economic cooperation through partnership.

* *** *