UNITED STATES REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO REFORMED UNCTAD AS MIDRAND CONFERENCE CONTINUES GENERAL DEBATE
Press Release
TAD/1826
UNITED STATES REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO REFORMED UNCTAD AS MIDRAND CONFERENCE CONTINUES GENERAL DEBATE
19960502 (Received from a UN Information Officer.)MIDRAND, South Africa, 2 May -- As the ninth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD IX) continued its general debate this morning, the representative of the United States said her Government was strongly committed to a reformed, refocused and streamlined UNCTAD, capable of delivering better and higher quality services to all its constituencies.
Announcing that the United States would pay in full its 1995 assessment to the United Nations regular budget, she said that payment in no way lessened the need for reform of the world body. "Without genuine reform, we will not be able to sustain political or financial support for the United Nations in the United States", she said.
Addressing the Conference through a videotaped message, the Vice- President of the United States, Albert Gore, said UNCTAD IX was a historic meeting which symbolized South Africa's complete re-entry into the United Nations system.
Also this morning, the Conference heard accounts of attempts in the quest for economic development and pleas for global action to redress international imbalances. The plight of the least developed countries was highlighted by several speakers.
"It is difficult, if not impossible, to identify a country which has not undertaken significant policy measures to promote the role of the private enterprise in the process of economic development", the Minister for Commerce of Nepal, Fatteh Singh Tharu, said. However, the process of sustained economic development had proved elusive. Issues relating to poverty or income distribution threatened to assume greater intensity. The least developed countries needed special and enabling mechanisms to gain access to, and to exploit, market opportunities. It remained a sad commentary of the international economic system that no efforts had been made to help those countries leave their current unflattering status, he added.
The Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism of Mozambique, Oldemiro Baloi, reviewed economic and political reforms in his country, which had been implementing a structural adjustment programme since 1987. The results, however, were still insufficient to cope with the severe economic and social situations. Mozambique was basically an agricultural country, with 80 per cent of the population working in that sector. "It is obvious that our country is in a particularly weak position to face the challenges of globalization and liberalization", he said, calling for efforts to mobilize international resources for the financing of commodity diversification.
Statements were also made by the Secretary of Commerce of India, Tejendra Khanna; the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bolivia, Antonio Aranibar Quiroga; the Minister for Internal and External Trade, Commerce and Food of Sri Lanka, Kingsley T. Wickremaratine; the Minister for Industry and Trade of Hungary, Imre Dunai; the Minister for Trade and Industry of Mongolia, Tsevegmid Tsogt; and the Minister for Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation of Bulgaria, Atanas Paparizov.
The representatives of Uruguay, Egypt, New Zealand, Ecuador and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea also spoke.
Statements
The first speaker this morning, as the ninth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD IX) continued its general debate, was SINGH THARU, Commerce Minister of Nepal: The world economic system has seen rapid and far-reaching changes since UNCTAD VIII. The concept of liberalization and globalization never had as many adherent nations as today. "It is difficult, if not impossible, to identify a country which has not undertaken significant policy measures to promote the role of the private enterprise in the process of economic development." However, the disparities in the economic conditions within the developing world have considerably widened since that meeting in Colombia. The process of sustained economic development has proved elusive and has been denied to those very countries where it is most urgently needed. "This state of affairs, I hasten to assure, has not been brought about in these countries for their lack of trying."
Nepal made a radical departure by opting for a market-led development strategy. The role of the State has been greatly reduced and revamped. At the same time, the macroeconomic reform process has been given newer thrusts and added substance. The quality of public investment has been significantly improved through a more efficient use of resources and by facilitating the maximum participation of the private sector in all areas of the economy. Incentives for the private sector have been improved through industrial de- licensing, rationalization of the tax structure, privatization of a number of industries and the simplification of the trade and exchange regime.
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Nepal has assumed obligations in the hope of strengthening the international trading system which in turn should promote its goals of economic growth and sustainable development. The liberalization policies consolidated in more stringent multilateral disciplines have, on the other hand, narrowed the range of policy instruments and options available to it. At the same time, integration and dependence on global network of financial markets exposes it to the risks of instability and disruptions. Issues relating to poverty or income distribution threaten to assume greater intensity. While these problems may have general application throughout the developing world the intensity and magnitude of these problems differ.
The least developed countries need special and enabling mechanisms to gain access to, and to exploit, market opportunities. The UNCTAD has been specifically mandated by the United Nations to look into the development prospects and problems of these countries. It has done its job with commendable elan. But it remains a sad commentary of the international economic system that no efforts have been made to help these countries leave their current unflattering status. Instead, the numbers in this group of countries are increasing. The mid-term Global Review on the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s noted the interest of these countries regarding the idea of considering the setting up of a "safety net" to cope with adverse effects of the implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreements. Land-locked developing countries have an additional burden because of their geographical handicaps which have an adverse impact on their external sector performance and on their overall economic development. It is therefore essential that the international community address the issues related to this group of countries in a coherent and complementary manner. The work of UNCTAD on their behalf is interlinked and mutually supportive. The future structure of the UNCTAD secretariat should ensure the maintenance of these interlinkages.
TEJENDRA KHANNA, Commerce Secretary of India: Development policy should seek to ultimately optimize societal well-being. At the regional level, sharing of experiences can be undertaken through regional associations. At the multilateral level, this can be undertaken under the auspices of UNCTAD. For development policy formulation, UNCTAD should act as an apex institution for providing advice and assistance. Any suggestion that an international institution like UNCTAD should be marginalized, and its charge and mandate weakened or pared down, lacks tenability.
All countries have to develop their domestic economic sectors and provide delivery systems for social services. Formulation of appropriate domestic policies to support the development of these sectors must be a matter of priority. Adequate protection may need to be extended to the domestic products of different sectors against external competition. The concepts of
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globalization and liberalization cannot be accepted indiscriminately, if countries are not to suffer the fate of marginalization.
Developing countries must be provided more favourable access to finance, markets and technology in the interests of a healthy evolution of global economic transition. The UNCTAD should be the institution where these parameters are defined. There is a mutuality of interest in the progress of balanced economic development on a world-wide basis. The UNCTAD can provide a useful forum for removing misperceptions and for reaffirming the benefits of interdependence. It can play a useful role by analysing the rewards and challenges of the Uruguay Round for the developing countries. It needs to undertake preparatory work in the trade policy area to provide relevant inputs to members in the run-up to the first World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference in Singapore in December .
The UNCTAD should continue to encourage cooperation among developing countries. It should make available its expertise and advice to individual countries and groups of countries seeking support for analysing problems at policy level. There is no room for polarization or confrontation between developed and developing country members of UNCTAD.
MELINDA L. KIMBLE, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of International Organizations Affairs, Department of State of the United States: She introduced ALBERT GORE, Vice-President of the United States, who spoke to the Conference through a videotaped message.
Vice-President GORE: The United States Administration has had close and cooperative relationships with UNCTAD and South Africa. "All of us had hoped that former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown would be able to lead our delegation to this historic meeting which symbolizes South Africa's complete re-entry into the United Nations system. Tragically, that was not possible. So I wanted to share with you what I know would have been his priority goal for this critical meeting." It is simply this: to speed the integration of the developing world into the global trading system. Such integration, in conjunction with sound environmental and economic strategies, is key to a sustainable future for all humankind.
Ms. KIMBLE: Like South Africa, UNCTAD must have the courage to depart from its past while reaffirming the partnership between developed and developing countries. Since UNCTAD VIII, the world has changed dramatically, including the conclusion of the Uruguay Round. These changes are the result of a new and powerful consensus as to what precisely is needed to promote sustainable development. Outward-oriented, market-based economies grow fastest. And growth combined with sound, participatory governance benefits people. "These changes also offer a unique, yet brief moment of opportunity for UNCTAD, which the international community must now seize." The United
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States is strongly committed to a reformed UNCTAD, refocused and streamlined, more capable of delivering better and higher quality services to all of its constituencies. The United States recognizes that a revitalized UNCTAD must have adequate financial resources.
As a result of a budget agreement reached this week between President Clinton and Congress, the United States will pay in full its 1995 regular assessment to the United Nations, easing the immediate cash-flow crisis. "This hard-won budget agreement is only a first step and in no way lessens the need for reform of the world body. Without genuine reform, we will not be able to sustain political or financial support for the United Nations in the United States. Without reform, the United Nations cannot fulfil its mission of promoting a democratic, peaceful and prosperous world community."
The UNCTAD has three distinct functions: economic analysis, policy dialogue that emphasizes the sharing of experiences, and technical cooperation. The latter must include maintaining UNCTAD's comparative advantage in providing practical assistance in trade efficiency, debt management and customs operations. "If well performed, each activity will complement and reinforce the others. Under this framework, UNCTAD IX can focus on the future." The UNCTAD cannot be truly relevant without finding ways to work with the private sector, including small and medium enterprises and non- governmental organizations. The reorganization plan presented by UNCTAD Secretary-General Rubens Ricupero, while a step in the right direction, cannot by itself generate the long-term savings needed to free up resources to reinvest in specific UNCTAD activities. Member States will have to set clear priorities, insist on transparency, improve governance, enhance cost- effectiveness, root out duplication, link programmes with resources, and make this organization more responsive to its members. A more flexible UNCTAD structure will ensure that the organization is transformed into "a renewable resource" that adapts to a dynamic global environment. The United States did not journey to Midrand to ensure the survival of UNCTAD; its goal is the success of UNCTAD.
ANTONIO ARANIBAR QUIROGA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bolivia: Bolivia is undergoing thorough reform with stringent structural adjustment -- a revolution in democratization with respect for constitutional principles. The reforms represent a change from representative democracy to participatory democracy. Seeking to integrate into international markets, Bolivia has decided to change its internal structures to confront this task. It emphasizes the importance of the Conference, a forum in which the problems of developing nations can be debated. Studies and forecasts of new market opportunities for the developing countries are needed. The UNCTAD must assess the unique features of trade for each country before it can suggest specific changes that will ensure that the Declaration of Marrakesh becomes a reality.
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With some exceptions, the tariff levels of developed countries have declined and the generalized system of preferences has lost its emphasis. In the post-Uruguay Round, trade investments and competition are all important factors. Governments should be advised on investment protection. The UNCTAD can do fruitful work in the area of regional and multilateral relations. Also, it should carry out a study of the central objective of the international commodity policy. The organization must concern itself with the problems of trade and development, including problems that are peculiar to groups of developing countries. In particular, the UNCTAD should generate proposals aimed at relieving the special concerns of land-locked countries.
KINGSLEY T. WICKRAMARATNE, Minister for Internal and External Trade, Commerce and Food of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka has completely transformed an inward looking, closed economy to an outward looking, open and market oriented economy. It has undertaken difficult and painful structural reforms entailing considerable socio-economic costs. The Government is committed to building a strong national economy within a market framework, in which the private sector is considered as the "engine of growth". Government intervention is limited to areas where the market fails to function effectively. Only the public sector can provide a comprehensive social "safety net". Sri Lanka expects an external environment that supports its efforts. It should ensure among other things substantial flow of resources, much better access to markets, private investment and transfer of technology to effect the transition to sustainable development and to reduce our vulnerability to international economic changes.
Sri Lanka has participated in the Uruguay Round but the commitments undertaken severely limit its policy options in crucial areas related to development. Market access remains a central issue of concern for developing countries. They are worried over how the Uruguay Round results are being implemented and the ensuing problems. The impact of the Agreement on Agriculture on the net food importing developing countries will have to be carefully monitored. To continue the further liberalization of trade, there needs to be further multilateral trade negotiation on issues related to tariff peaks and tariff escalations affecting the exports of particular interest to developing countries. The coming WTO ministerial meeting should focus on a review of the difficulties in implementing the Agreements.
In Sri Lanka, small and medium-size enterprises play a predominant role in the development process. The process of liberalization and globalization has added an international dimension to issues connected with enterprise development and thus reducing the ability to tackle these issues unilaterally. This underlines the need for pragmatic multilateral approach to those issues. The UNCTAD should continue to advocate what it has been advocating -- the elimination of injustice and inequality from the world economic order, which will eventually service the interest of all countries.
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CARLOS PEREZ DEL CASTILLO, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uruguay: There is a consensus that a central element in the revitalization of UNCTAD is in the strengthening of its three basic functions of economic analysis, intergovernmental dialogue and technical cooperation. There is a need to agree to give UNCTAD a mandate to conduct permanent analysis of the phenomenon of globalization.
Strengthening of the economic analytical component of UNCTAD is vital and an essential element of any revitalization effort. Such analysis should include micro- and macroeconomic policy issues, including financial and monetary policy. The intergovernmental dialogue must be revitalized in a fresh spirit of international cooperation. The special situation of African countries should be the object of a special UNCTAD programme. Time has come to move from words to substantive negotiations.
MOUNIR ZAHRAN (Egypt): The world has become a small village. The international community had succeeded in concluding the Uruguay Round negotiations. In addition the trend towards regionalization is increasing. The two impose additional challenges on the developing countries which need assistance to be fully integrated into the international economy. Regionalization may result in negative effects on non-member countries. The UNCTAD must seek to maximize benefits for developing countries, to avoid marginalization. The real challenge was how to work in a concerted manner and to integrate the African continent into the international economy. African countries must be given priority.
Levels of success differ among developing countries. However, there can still be cooperation between them. The Uruguay Round Agreements brought great challenges to the developing countries, particularly the least developed countries and the net food importing countries such as Egypt. African trade represents 2 per cent of world trade whereas the people of Africa represent 12 per cent of the world's population. A product diversification process should be implemented, giving encouragement to the private sector but not ignoring the role of government. The international community should assist African countries in increasing exports and achieving economic integration. An additional burden for African countries is the insistence by some countries that the Uruguay Agreements be implemented immediately, disregarding the needed transition period. It is hoped that UNCTAD IX will make a positive contribution to the first WTO ministerial conference in Singapore. The UNCTAD can analyse the issue being proposed for the agenda in Singapore to ameliorate the problems that might arise for the developing countries. Its role should be strengthened.
PAUL TIPPING, Director, Policy Projects, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand: Institutional reform is a key issue for UNCTAD and the whole United Nations. The UNCTAD must not live in the past; it should instead
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plan for the future. It should never lose sight of its primary role as a "think-tank" to assist developing countries integrate into the global economy. The WTO exists to carry forward intergovernmental negotiations to develop and strengthen the multilateral trading system. The current General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)/WTO agenda progressively reflects the increasing involvement of developing economies. Analyses undertaken by UNCTAD on trade flows and other matters have assisted in this regard. New Zealand encourages the secretariat to continue its efforts in this area.
The UNCTAD can help economies with information and advice regrading reforms to facilitate trade. Through such advice, economies will become better placed to compete in the modern international trading environment. The organization will gain credibility by conducting work that is relevant and well prioritized. It is vital to resist establishing further unnecessary bureaucracy. We must also strive not to dilute the organization's effectiveness by spreading its activities too thinly and failing to address substantive trade liberalization issues. It is important for UNCTAD to avoid duplicating the work and trade mechanisms that are already part of the WTO process. Within a relatively short time, all the major economies of the world will be members of the WTO and UNCTAD. The two organizations should not be seen as competitors in any way, but rather as partners.
IMRE DUNAI, Minister for Industry and Trade of Hungary: Despite difficulties and hardships Hungary has created the basis of an economy capable of acting in a closely interlinked world. This could be done only because the Hungarian public, even at times of the most severe measures for stabilization, understood and accepted the necessity of radical reforms. Following a tough austerity policy, the overall economic indicators of 1995 show a striking turnaround in the macroeconomic and financial situation.
While concentrating on improving the equilibrium of the economy, it is still possible to maintain economic growth. It is also possible to further liberalize the financial sector and to approve a new Foreign Exchange Act. It has also been able to attract foreign direct investment. A growing number of foreign enterprises established in Hungary tend to reinvest their earning in the country. It is hoped that along with the current structural changes, trade with and capital investment to and from developing countries will be substantially increased. The network of Trade Points and trade information as well as efficiency programmes initiated by UNCTAD together with related programmes of other United Nations bodies, such as the UNCTAD/WTO International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), may contribute much to the expansion of the trade flow.
The UNCTAD has to undergo radical changes. The subjects and working methods have to be adjusted. There should be a clear division of labour between WTO and UNCTAD, ensuring a health complementarity. A better
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concentration on the most important issues interlinking trade and development is required.
OLDEMIRO BALOI, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism of Mozambique: The country's structural adjustment programme implemented since 1987, and the 1994 first general multiparty elections have created the necessary conditions and environment to enhance economic recovery and growth. However, the results are still insufficient to cope with the severe economic and social situations. Mozambique is basically an agricultural country dependent on five products. Eighty per cent of the population work in this sector. The country relies heavily on primary products for export earnings.
"It is obvious that our country is in a particularly weak position to face the challenges of globalization and liberalization." Efforts are required to mobilize international resources for the financing of commodity diversification, including by amending the mandate of the Common Fund for Commodities to increase its ability to fund such diversification. Mozambique's development efforts are undermined by the debt burden which leads to a situation in which most of its resources are allocated to servicing the external debt. This is detrimental to the country's economic activity, generating a vicious cycle of economic stagnation, severe shortage on the supply side of exportable products and indebtedness. Countries in this situation face a serious risk of marginalization and exclusion from the processes of globalization and liberalization.
TSEVEGMIDIIN TSOGT, Minister for Trade and Industry of Mongolia: Many of the poorer developing countries, particularly least developed, land-locked and small island developing countries, were unable to take the opportunities offered by globalization. Special attention is needed to help developing countries secure a share of the international trade. Assistance to help mitigate adverse effects arising from the implementation of Uruguay Agreements should cover such areas as compensation, enhanced market access and financial and technical assistance. Also, efforts should be done at the international level to examine policies and measures to increase foreign direct investment flows to developing countries, especially to low income developing countries.
External debt of developing countries continues to be a major constraint on the capacity to generate economic growth and to undertake their social development programmes. Mongolia welcomes debt relief approaches adopted at the World Summit for Social Development; the outcome of the Ministerial meeting of Non-Aligned countries on debt; and debt forgiveness undertaken by the Paris Club as a step in the right direction towards a comprehensive and equitable solution of external debt. Creditor countries should strengthen such positive measures and expand them to other poor and most indebted countries.
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As developing nations handicapped by their geographical location, land- locked developing countries are doubly disadvantaged when it comes to participating in the globalizing world economy. Their land-locked situation tends to erode their competitive edge and to isolate and marginalize them from the world trading system, causing structural deficiencies, imbalances and greater difficulties in their socio-economic development. The UNCTAD plays an important role in focusing the attention and in mobilizing and coordinating the international community's support for land-locked developing countries. As stated in the Amman Declaration of the Ministers of the Asian Group of the "Group of 77" and China, the implementation of the global framework for transit transport cooperation between land-locked and transit developing countries and the donor community would greatly enhance the competitiveness of land-locked developing countries. The international community should implement fully the commitments made in that framework. The UNCTAD serves as the focal point for its follow-up. Its role is important now more than ever before.
ATANAS PAPARIZOV, Minister for Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation of Bulgaria: The UNCTAD should continue to be the focal point within the United Nations system for the integrated treatment of development. It plays this role through an intensified dialogue between all member States, aimed at consensus building and practical recommendations directed to the problems of developing countries, with special attention being given to least developed countries. In the last five years, Bulgaria has worked to overcome a deep economic depression. The first positive results in macroeconomic stabilization have already been achieved. The rapidly developing private sector, which now accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) has been the most dynamic factor in the economic growth. Positive results have been achieved despite very unfavourable external economic conditions. Bulgaria incurred heavy economic losses from the strict implementation of the United Nations sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. After a substantial decline, trade with developing countries is again gaining momentum. Bulgaria's main priority is to intensify the structural reforms aimed at ensuring a stable basis for sustainable growth. Acceleration of privatization, and measures to enhance financial discipline in the economy and in the banking system are the main features of the present economic policy.
The significant issue of trade and economic relations between developing countries and countries in transition, an important part of international trade and the world economy, is not included in the pre-conference document. This is not in line with the universal character of UNCTAD. The need to examine it in the context of UNCTAD activities was recognized by all countries in UNCTAD at the twelfth executive session of the Trade and Development Board and Bulgaria expects it to be included in the final document of the Conference. Also, UNCTAD should examine the problems of the countries in
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transition as one of the important issues of trade and development. Its complementary role in the development of the multilateral trading system should be a priority in its future work. The UNCTAD should elaborate its assessment of the changes and opportunities arising from the Uruguay Round Agreements from the development prospective.
The text of the Conference should include the need for developing countries and countries in transition, non-members of WTO, to benefit from UNCTAD's activities and cooperation, including technical assistance. The UNCTAD should provide support to those countries in their efforts to accede to the WTO. Its accession to WTO is a high priority in Bulgaria's economic policy.
The UNCTAD activities, relevant to the alleviation of the external debt burden are also of particular value. Bulgaria supports including in UNCTAD's work new issues relevant to international trade and development, such as investments, environment and competition. Private enterprise development, privatization, attracting foreign investments in developing countries and countries in transition are important factors for economic growth and development.
PATRICIO IZURIETA MORA-BOWEN, Under-Secretary for International Economic Policy, Ministry of Foreign Relations of Ecuador: Internal and external adjustments must be made to optimize the benefits of globalization. Efforts to achieve macroeconomic control and liberalization must be supplemented by adjustments and changes in the international context. Opening up and transparency in the international markets is key. An open door is based on productive activities linked to external trade. The share of international trade in the GDP has increased in countries like Ecuador and the consequences of that rise vitally affect their economy.
The activities of UNCTAD should give priority to trade issues like trade commodities, commitments of the Uruguay Round, environmental standards and trade protectionism. Ecuador, a small country, is vulnerable to international trading and monetary variables and is interested in seeing such issues discussed in UNCTAD IX. Decisions on those matters are becoming increasingly supra-national.
The UNCTAD should step up its activities to devise a way for governments to join the World Bank, IMF and WTO. There was an asymmetry between the rich and poor countries manifested primarily in the areas of poverty, technological backwardness and access to finances. Overcoming those asymmetries depended to a large extent on individual policies and UNCTAD's identification of intelligent policies. The UNCTAD could take action with other international bodies that would be of great assistance to the developing countries. It should pay attention to the most vulnerable. The organization must have a
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practical role as a real adviser in the negotiation process, a body concerned with new and future scenarios. It should include determined participation by other actors in the civil society. The conditions to guarantee success in globalization must be established, but the Latin American countries cannot carry them out solely at the national level. They must be increasingly assisted by the international community.
KIM TONG MYONG, Vice-Chairman of the Commission for External Relations of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: International cooperation for development should support the national efforts of developing countries to eradicate poverty, and achieve socio-economic progress and sustainable development. Free choice of a socio-economic system, development and transparency at the international level must be guaranteed. Realistic measures should be taken to guarantee participation of the developing countries in the international trading system on an equal and non- discriminatory basis. Substantial measures should be taken to stabilize and strengthen the commodity market, improve the terms of trade for the developing countries, and improve market access to the developed countries.
The UNCTAD needs to be further strengthened as a universal forum for intergovernmental deliberation and negotiations, confidence- and consensus- building, policy analysis and formulation, and technical cooperation. The Korean people are continuing to safeguard their style of socialism. The invincibility and stability of their system and the strong self-reliant national economy constitute a firm foundation that enables them to develop economic relations with all countries on their initiative. They are trying to industrialize, modernize agriculture and light industry, and develop foreign trade under a new economic strategy. The Government has established a free economic and trade zone in the Tuman River area and is providing conditions conducive to foreign investment.
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