HEADQUARTERS PRESS CONFERENCE BY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MEXICO

The challenge facing the International Conference on Financing for Development involved seeking ways of eradicating poverty, improving social conditions and living standards, and protecting the environment, Adolfo Aguilar Zinser, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations, said at a Headquarters press conference this afternoon.

In taking on that challenge, he said, the Conference -- to be held in Monterrey, Mexico, from 18 to 22 March -- aimed to ensure that this century became the century of development.  Financing for development must cover the basic needs of countries by channeling resources towards social development.

By providing the equivalent of 0.7 per cent of their gross national product, the developed countries could substantially reduce infant and maternal mortality.  At present, resources provided for development equalled some $50 billion.  The Conference aimed at doubling that figure.

Mr. Aguilar Zinser emphasized that specific actions to eradicate poverty and marginalization would help substantially in ensuring international peace and security.  They would also be essential in eradicating the threat of international terrorism.

Regarding the forums for non-governmental organizations and the private sector to be held during the Conference, he said the Government of Mexico would respect each proposal put forward at both events.  There would be tolerance and respect for the rights of free expression and demonstration as long as they did not infringe on the rights of others, lead to violence or break the law.

Asked whether the foreign aid initiative proposed by United States President George W. Bush was adequate, he said that any effort to increase commitments by developed countries aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting productive activity in the less developed world was welcome.  He also welcomed a recent European Union decision to increase resources for development.

What did the Ambassador think of the fact that the Bush Administration had blocked the inclusion in the final declaration of proposals to double foreign aid? another correspondent asked.

He replied that such specific issues would be discussed broadly and freely at the Conference, including during the retreat for heads of State.  However, he stressed that foreign aid must be doubled in order to achieve the goals outlined by the international community.

Another journalist asked whether terrorism would be mentioned in the final document of the Conference.

The Permanent Representative replied that it was essential to establish very clear-cut commitments on the part of the international community in order to combat poverty and marginalization as a central element in the world's strategy to fight terrorism.

He stressed that while the Conference was not about terrorism, it had a much broader theme, which covered international concerns to combat terrorism.  Without an effort by the international community to promote development, there would continue to be hotbeds of tension that could lead to extremism and ultimately to acts of terrorism.

Asked by another correspondent whether any concrete commitments were expected from major corporations attending the Conferences, he said the private sector forum would provide the opportunity for Ministers of Finance and Housing to make contact with private sector representatives.

What did the Ambassador expect of the proposed conversion of World Bank loans into grants? another journalist asked.

Mr. Aguilar Zinser replied that the Conference must consider what international financial institutions should do to channel resource flows for development and ensure that the decisions taken by such institutions reflected more clearly the needs, perspectives and viewpoints of developing countries.  Although they were the recipients of the resource flows, they could not influence the decisions implementing them.

Another correspondent asked whether Mexico was prepared for major demonstrations on the scale of those staged during the Seattle World Trade Organization meeting in November 1999.

The Ambassador replied that for a number of months the Government of Mexico had been consulting with the organizers of similar conferences held elsewhere in the world.  The Government had also discussed the issue with the United Nations to ensure that security measures would not impact negatively on rights and freedoms.  Federal authorities had been coordinating with the Municipality of Monterrey, he added.

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