STEERING GLOBALIZATION IN RIGHT DIRECTION HAS ROLE FOR NGOS, GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TELLS NGO CONFERENCE

Press Release
GA/SM/98
PI/1182

STEERING GLOBALIZATION IN RIGHT DIRECTION HAS ROLE FOR NGOS, GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TELLS NGO CONFERENCE

The President of the General Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab, today addressed the Conference of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) on "Challenges of a Globalized World: Finding New Directions The Conference, sponsored by the NGOs and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) is meeting at United Nations Headquarters. The text of the President's address follows:

I am delighted and honoured to address this very important and timely Conference on “Challenges of a Globalized World: Finding New Directions”. This is particularly so, because it is a Conference which confirms a unique collaboration between the United Nations and the NGOs -- an important partnership.

Trade and Finance: Who's in Charge?

Globalization today is a powerful force. It represents close linkages among countries and economies. This enhances the movement of goods and capital, thereby increasing the volume of world trade. Globalization signals a tendency towards a more integrated world economy. Also, in the area of communications, the Internet has made it possible for countries to interact with one another in ways that were not possible before. All these developments are encouraging signs that have come about as a result of globalization.

Regrettably, the benefits of globalization are not as universal as claimed. Indeed, the benefits of globalization have largely been concentrated in a relatively small number of industrialized countries that are best equipped to take full advantage of its immense opportunities. By contrast, globalization has led to the marginalization and further impoverishment of many developing countries. It actually threatens the stability of their national institutions.

As I said in my statement at the opening of the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly, "globalization should be placed within the framework of democratically created social dynamics -- globalization with a human face,…it should be about empowerment of the

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people, especially the youth, the future leaders". This implies that we need to adopt a more creative approach to how globalization is going to be allowed to spread around the world and how developing countries will be able to maximize the benefits of this process and at the same time minimize its negative impact. In my view, globalization is not about economics alone, it fundamentally affects real people in a real way. It integrates cultures and technology, connecting people everywhere.

Labour: The Neglected Partner?

On the labour front, although some may argue that globalization has removed boundaries for free movement of labour, this benefit is only for the highly skilled in the North, while the vast numbers of unskilled labour, that of the developing countries has limited mobility. Competition for the attraction of investment from the global capital market, necessitated many countries to adopt extremely liberal labour laws which in turn created insecurity and uncertainty.

These are problems that need serious examination and practical solutions must be found to harness the benefits of globalization for developing countries.

Elemental Concern: Food and Agriculture

Agriculture is a sector in which developing and least developed countries possess competitive and comparative advantages. If further developed, this sector can play a very important role in addressing the rampant food insecurity in these countries, as well as enabling them to share in the fruits of globalization.

This kind of development is, however, seriously restricted by industrialized countries that continue protecting their agricultural sector through, especially, tariff escalation and other disguised protectionist measures.

Thus, although some countries have taken significant steps to liberalize their economies, there are no appreciable rewards. Some of the economic sectors that can be vehicles for such outcome are hampered by protectionist tendencies in the importing countries.

The Role of Civil Society

Just as globalization involves many actors, it also requires that all of them cooperate in steering it in the right direction, addressing its flaws and negative impacts, thereby strengthening the process for the good of all. Governments, intergovernmental organizations, the

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corporate sector, NGOs and individuals should take up this challenge in a collaborative spirit.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in particular, have proven to be very successful in mobilizing the support of the international community for many worthy causes, shared by the United Nations Member States. This is the important role that they should be encouraged to play. We all want to see a sober and solid partnership between the United Nations and NGOs, at all times.

Globalization in the Twenty-First Century

Globalization is not new, and there should be nothing sinister about it. However, today the process has very distinct features and consequences that require serious reflection. On the one hand, globalization creates new and expanded markets for trade and investment, and possibilities for the exchange of new technologies. On the other, it arouses fears that the process will undermine the sovereignty of states, as well as their cultural and historical identities. The challenge for the future is to ensure that the opportunities and benefits resulting from this worldwide phenomenon are shared among all the nations and peoples of the world. This can only be achieved through cooperation and mutual understanding.

The point to be stressed, therefore, is not to retreat from the globalization process, or to go back to a world of closed economies. No. We got to pursue the process of widening linkages and areas of cooperation between countries and derive the best possible results from them. But for this to happen, the playing field must be leveled and the needs and the peculiar concerns of developing countries taken into consideration.

A transparent, democratic and cooperative environment must be created to discuss the problems of globalization, as we are doing in this Conference. All nations and peoples must be afforded an opportunity to participate in shaping the vision and content of the ongoing process of globalization as it impacts on our lives.

The United Nations and especially the General Assembly can play and has played a very important role in providing a forum for serious debate on the subject. I believe that at the end of this Conference, it should be possible to recommend practical steps that can be taken in order to alleviate the fears and uncertainties of those who are at the disadvantaged end of globalization.

In conclusion, I wish you all success and best wishes in your search for new directions in tackling the challenges facing our globalized world.

I thank you! * *** *