UN SOCIAL SUMMIT REVIEW CAN PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO NEW FORMS OF PROTECTIONISM

Press Release
PI/1204
ECO/13

UN SOCIAL SUMMIT REVIEW CAN PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO NEW FORMS OF PROTECTIONISM

NEW YORK, 1 December (DPI) -- Echoing United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s call for an international trading system that is “fair as well as free” in an address prepared for the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks in Seattle, United Nations officials say that talks to promote implementation of the goals of the Social Summit could provide important alternatives to the more restrictive and protectionist proposals advanced in Seattle.

John Langmore, Chief of the United Nations Division on Social Policy and Development, said the Social Summit + 5 review, set to take place in Geneva next June, could present the ideal opportunity for countries to “raise the bar” on international standards for labour rights, access to health and education, and for promoting full employment without resorting to measures that smack of protectionism.

The Secretary-General's message, which was widely distributed to the media, called for the reduction of tariffs and other restrictions on goods coming from developing countries, and proposed scrapping all duties and quotas on the poorest, least developed countries. He said industrialized countries must not try to solve their own problems at the expense of the poor. “It seldom makes sense to use trade restrictions to tackle problems whose origins lie not in trade but in other areas of national and international policy”, he said.

“What is needed is not new shackles for world trade, but greater determination by governments to tackle social and political issues directly -- and to give the institutions that exist for that purpose the funds and the authority they need”, he said. “We can be part of the solution”, he added.

The World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen in March 1995, was attended by representatives of 186 countries, including 117 heads of State or government, and resulted in a comprehensive programme of action aimed at reducing poverty, promoting full employment and recognized that social needs must be incorporated into economic policies.

According to Mr. Langmore, the international consensus forged in Copenhagen has already had a major impact on the social policies of major global financial institutions. He said that a forward-looking agreement in Geneva could address key areas of concern, such as labour standards and the responsibilities of the private sector in a world with expanding market opportunities.

For further information, please contact the Development and Human Rights Section, Department of Public Information: Shala Mokgethi, tel. (212) 963- 8104 or Dan Shepard, (212) 963-6846.

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