ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL BEGINS COORDINATION SEGMENT, CONSIDERS REPORTS

OF COORDINATION BODIES, REPORTS ON HAITI, GUINEA-BISSAU

 

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 20 July (UN Information Service) -- The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this morning began consideration of its agenda item on coordination, programme and other questions, under which it reviewed reports of its coordination bodies and reports of the Ad Hoc Advisory Groups on Haiti and Guinea-Bissau.

Adnan Amin, Director of the Secretariat of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination, introducing the annual overview report of the Chief Executives Board, said the report highlighted the major developments in interagency cooperation within the framework of the Chief Executives Board and its High Level Committees on Programmes and Management during the period covering the fall 2006 and spring 2007 sessions of the Board.  The Chief Executives Board’s work over the reporting period was characterized by a renewed sense of urgency and a strong sense of common purpose enabling the Board to take a more ambitious approach to both policy development and implementation to enhance the strategic contribution of the Board to addressing the global challenges that the international community was facing. 

The Council then held a general discussion in which Venezuela said that the work which had been accomplished by the Committee for Programme and Coordination over the years was of crucial importance, and it had provided the Council with guidelines for managing the different parts of the United Nations system.  The guidelines provided to the Council and the General Assembly on issues of programming and evaluation were also very useful, as was the monitoring of the mandates of United Nations intergovernmental organizations.

The Council then took note of the annual overview report of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination for 2006-2007, and the report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination on its forty-seventh session. 

Hugh Adsett, Canada, introducing the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, said while there were many immediate challenges in Haiti, this was the first time that the Group could significantly reflect on the long-term challenges and discuss them with national authorities who had the responsibility for this longer term span.  It was important that Haiti remained on the international agenda and that appropriate support be given to the country.  The Group applauded developments in Haiti, particularly in the field of security.  There was a great deal to be done, and Haitian society as a whole should accept the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper in order to guarantee its success.

Joel Boutroue, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations system in Haiti, said the creation of a political consensus was at the core of achieving stability in Haiti.  Important advances had been made in this area in the past 12 months.  The new consensus was fragile, and in order to survive, it should overcome the polarization, socio-economic division, changing alliances and power plays that were endemic to Haitian politics.  The international community should continue to support Haiti’s democratic process.  It was clear that Haiti was unlikely to meet any of the Millennium Development Goals in 2015 -- but it could, however, be on the right track to meet them.

The Council then held a general discussion on the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti under which delegates said there were emergencies in Haiti -- administration, drinking water, unemployment, the lack of infrastructure, among others - and remedying these would bring Haiti into the situation of other countries in the region where it could benefit from the tourism potential.  The gains that Haiti had made within the past years were modest, but heartening and it was crucial that impetus towards greater achievement was not slowed.  Haiti’s partners would, in the future, have to make additional efforts to remedy the situation -- there was an urgent need for intervention by the international community.

Chile, Benin, Barbados (also on behalf of Guyana), Guinea-Bissau, Luxembourg, United States, Haiti and Canada spoke in the general discussion on the report on Haiti.

Sheldon Moulton, South Africa, introducing the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau, said the Group had expressed concern at the continuing deterioration of the socio-economic and financial situation in Guinea-Bissau.  The Government continued to face many daunting socio-economic problems, which were summarized in the report.  The challenges experienced by Guinea-Bissau in consolidating the gains made in its post-conflict transition required the full engagement of both the regional and international communities.  The report noted that the challenges faced by Guinea-Bissau should be addressed on an urgent basis to avoid violent conflict.  The Group therefore encouraged the Government of Guinea-Bissau to strengthen its commitment to economic reforms and urged donors and other partners to support the country’s economic recovery and reconstruction.

The Council then held a general discussion on Ad Hoc Advisory groups on African countries emerging from conflict, hearing the representative of Guinea-Bissau say that given the weak capacity that existed in State institutions in Guinea-Bissau, the country had become a transit point for drug traffickers, and this was an issue of great concern.  The international community should help the country to deal with this issue, which had become a vital problem, and the Government of Guinea-Bissau was making an appeal in this regard.  Another speaker said the importance of leadership in both Guinea-Bissau and Haiti could not be neglected, and evidence had been shown here in the Council of superb leadership -- there was therefore increased hope for the two countries. 

Speaking in the context of the general discussion were the representatives of Haiti, United States and Cape Verde.

At 3 p.m. this afternoon, the Council will begin its consideration of its agenda item 12 on non-governmental organizations.

Documents

The Council has before it a report (A/62/16) entitled report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination, which contains an account of the organisation of the session, including the agenda and election of the officers.  It also contains a review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations, including on the progress and impact assessment of management improvement measures.  On programme questions, the report highlights programme planning, in particular experience gained in the planning and budgeting process.  The proposed programme budget for the biennium 2008-2009 is also included.  In the evaluation segment, there is an in-depth evaluation of political affairs, and the triennial review of the implementation of recommendations made by the Committee for Programme and Coordination at its forty-fourth session on the in-depth evaluation of public administration finance and development.  In the coordination segment of the report is the Annual overview report of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination for 2006/07 and a consideration of the United Nations system support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.  Focus is also put on improving the working methods and procedures of the Committee for Programme and Coordination within the framework of its mandate.  The provisional agenda for the forty-eighth session of the Committee is also included.

The annual overview report of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination for 2006/07 (E/2006/69) provides an overview of major developments in inter-agency cooperation within the framework of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination, during the period covering its fall 2006 and spring 2007 sessions, during which the Board initiated a dialogue encompassing the main global policy issues facing the international community, initiated a process of harmonization of United Nations management practices and addressed the integration of policy, management and operational activities within its framework.  During the reporting period, the Board, supported by its High-level Committee on Programmes, addressed a number of programme issues with system-wide implications. Those included issues that required the development of a coordinated response from the United Nations system, such as employment and decent work and the midterm review of the Brussels Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries. Other topics were addressed from the perspective of developing common understanding and coherent responses to emerging issues on the international agenda, and ranged from system-wide coherence and the “One United Nations” system at the country level to aid-for-trade.  The Board continued its integrated and concrete consideration of management issues with the support of its High-level Committee on Management. The Committee and its networks devoted considerable time and attention to the subject of management harmonization and reform, with the aim of sharing information, avoiding duplication and setting common directions for future work.

Introduction of Annual Overview Report

ADNAN AMIN, Director of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination Secretariat, said that the report highlighted the major developments in interagency cooperation within the framework of the Chief Executives Board and its High Level Committees on Programmes and Management during the period covering the fall 2006 and spring 2007 sessions of the Chief Executives Board.  The Chief Executives Board’s work over the reporting period was characterized by a renewed sense of urgency and a strong sense of common purpose enabling the Board to take a more ambitious approach to both policy development and implementation to enhance the strategic contribution of the Board to addressing the global challenges that the international community was facing.  The Chief Executives Board addressed a number of emerging and important programme matters with system-wide implications both from the perspective of developing coordinated and coherent responses as well as developing common understanding on emerging issues on the international agenda.  With regard to the “One United Nations” at country level, the Chief Executives Board recognized that the principal determinant of the perceived effectiveness of the United Nations system among both donor and developing countries was the effectiveness of its work at country level.  In the implementation of the pilot approach, the Board recognized the crucial role of Resident Coordinators and resolved to ensure that clear and coherent direction was provided to them and an appropriate framework developed for managing their work. 

The Chief Executives Board’s consideration of employment and decent work provided a good example of the increasing importance of developing system-wide response in the Board to key intergovernmental mandates, Mr. Amin said.  The Chief Executives Board’s discussion on aid-for-trade was aimed at developing a common understanding among its members and to ensure a full involvement of the United Nations system to support the objective for the aid-for-trade initiative that arose from the Doha Development Round.  The central role of the members of the Chief Executive Board would be to assist developing countries to identify priorities, mainstream trade into national strategies and work on developing regional approaches.  The challenge to the system was to maximize the productive aspects of trade liberalization while also dealing with negative impacts.  Looking forward in the programme area, the Chief Executives Board had identified, for its forthcoming work, two major programme issues on its agenda.  The first was the revitalization of the Board’s work on support to African development, particularly in the light of the need to step up efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.  The Chief Executives Board had also identified the issue of climate change as a major programme issue to be addressed at its forthcoming sessions in terms of developing coherent system-wide responses. 

A key issue addressed in the management area by the Chief Executives Board in light of discussions on United Nations reform and system-wide coherence was the need to accelerate work on the harmonization of the United Nations system’s business practices.  Other issues in the management area addressed by the Board included the development of a common approach to the sharing of information contained in internal audit reports, the review of the financing of the United Nations Security Management System and its cost-sharing formula and the development of a senior management network.  A consistent theme of the Chief Executives Board throughout the reporting session had been the need to substantially improve its functioning in light of an increased sense of opportunity and expectation for a more effective response to major global issues, and to ensure that all the analytical and operational capacities in the system were brought to bear on meeting those challenges and maximizing the system’s responsiveness to the needs of Member States and the international community.

The Vice-President of the Council said Ron Adam, the Chairman of the Committee for Programme and Coordination, had been unable to attend the meeting, but copies of his statement were circulated.

General Discussion on Reports of Coordination Bodies

RUBEN MOLINA ( Venezuela) said the work that had been accomplished by the Committee for Programme and Coordination over the years was of crucial importance, and it had provided the Council with guidelines for managing the different parts of the United Nations system.  The guidelines provided to the Council and the General Assembly on issues of programming and evaluation were very useful, as was the monitoring of the mandates of United Nations intergovernmental organizations.  The Committee had been able to take an important decision on improving the working methods, and this was particularly important, as they had become politicized over previous years, making work difficult.  A major step had been taken on the road towards finding solutions to existing problems.

The recommendations in chapter 4 of the report were of interest, in particular the unconditional report of the Committee for Africa.  The proposals of the Secretary-General with regards to the restructuring of certain functions were an infringement of their mandates, and paragraph 128 of the report, dealing with the urgent need to fill the vacancy in the post of Special Adviser for Africa was fully supported by Venezuela.  Chapter 5 of the report, dealing with the improvement of the working methods and procedures of the Committee in the discharge of its mandate, was fully supported, as were the results obtained, and this issue should not be discussed ad nauseam. 

Document

The Council has before it the report of the Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti (E/2006/78), which contains the findings of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti based on its meetings with Haitian and international counterparts and, above all, its mission to Haiti in April 2007.  It highlights key features of the economic and social situation in the country, marked by some progress and several persistently negative indicators, and elaborates on the need for capacity building to respond to the structural institutional weaknesses of Haitian society.  The report also analyses key issues related to development planning and aid coordination in Haiti, an overall problématique crucial in a country highly dependent on international assistance.  On those various themes, the report concludes with recommendations addressed to the Haitian authorities and to the international community with a view to enhance the impact of development work in the country, given the need for coherence and sustainability in international support outlined by the Economic and Social Council in its resolutions on Haiti.

Introduction of Report on Long-Term Programme of Support for Haiti

HUGH ADSETT (Canada), introducing the report on the long-term programme of support for Haiti on behalf of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, said that before addressing the content of the report, the Mission of Canada would like to express its sincere appreciation to the Secretariat for its excellent support throughout this year.  This year’s report was the Ad Hoc Advisory Group’s third since its reactivation in 2004.  However, it was the first report to be produced with the cooperation of the current elected Government of Haiti.  While there were many immediate challenges in Haiti, it was the first time that the Group could significantly reflect on the long-term challenges and discuss them with national authorities who had the responsibility for this longer-term span.  It allowed the Group to seriously address linkages between shorter-term activities and longer-term initiatives with those who would accompany them over a longer time. 

This year’s context with the positive changes under way in Haiti allowed the Group to issue recommendations that should be useful in discussions with the Government of Haiti and the international community, whether multilateral, bilateral or non-governmental organization stakeholders, Mr. Adsett said.  It was important that Haiti remained on the international agenda and that appropriate support be given to the country.  The Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti applauded developments in the situation in Haiti, particularly in the field of security.  The diversification of Haiti’s partners was welcomed, especially in the context of South-South collaboration.  The Group underscored the importance of further developing parliamentary institutions in Haiti.  There was a great deal to be done.  The Group congratulated Haiti for the work done so far.  The Haitian society as a whole should accept the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper in order to guarantee its success.  Mechanisms for mutual responsibility and follow-up to commitments should be implemented. 

Coordination would be easier once the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper was finalized, Mr. Adsett said.  It was also possible to make progress on the nine top priorities defined by the Government of Haiti.  Progress should also be made on strengthening foreign aid.  An important recommendation was the need to reform the judicial system to create an environment conducive to normalizing investment flows.  A climate of trust was required not only for economic growth, but also for social integration and equity.  A policy of gender mainstreaming should be integrated in all the development strategies of the country.  Other ministries should also take into account the gender issue when preparing the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.  The Group suggested that advice should be sought of the International Labour Organization with regard to the issue of decent work. 

JOEL BOUTROUE, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations System in Haiti, said the visit of the members of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group to Haiti took place in April 2007, and it would be remembered as a landmark event in the history of the relationship between Haiti and the international community at large, and the United Nations in particular.  At the same time, April 2007 marked the end of an electoral process started in 2006, which allowed a democratically elected leadership, at the national, regional and municipal levels, to consolidate its legitimacy.  These two developments in the political and security fields were commendable achievements.  Still, much more needed to be done if Haiti was to be put, for good, on the track to definitive stability and sustainable development.

The creation of a political consensus was at the core of achieving stability in Haiti.  Important advances had been made in this area in the past 12 months.  The new consensus was fragile, and in order to survive, it should overcome the polarization, socio-economic division, changing alliances and power plays that were endemic to Haitian politics. The international community should continue to support Haiti’s democratic process.  Real progress in developing governance capacity would depend on sustained support, including in the areas of training and infrastructure.  The strengthening of the rule of law and State institutions was a key for most peacekeeping operations’ exit strategies, and for the future development of Haiti.  Haiti had made remarkable progress over the past three years in stabilizing the economy and growth had resumed.  Still, from the social point of view, after many years of political turmoil and weak State institutions, the Haitian population endured harsh, and in many respects, unacceptable conditions.

It was clear that Haiti was unlikely to meet any of the Millennium Development Goals in 2015 -- but it could, however, be on the right track to meet them.  The recreation of the social fabric and a working economy would be the indispensable pillar towards long-term stabilization.  Political collaboration and maturity, security and institutional viability would all ultimately stand or founder on the rock of social and economic recovery.  The United Nations could help create an environment for economic development; however, any real progress towards economic revitalization would demand extensive engagement over the long term of bilateral contributors and the private sector under the leadership of the Government.  The United Nations was encouraged by the progress that had taken place, but this should be seen as a reason to redouble efforts, and not a basis on which to reduce its engagement or lower its guard. 

General Discussion on Long-Term Programme of Support for Haiti

EDUARDO CHIHUAILAF ( Chile) said the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti gave a complete picture of the economic and social situation of the country.  Chile emphasized the greater degree of economic stability as a result of good management by the Government.  There were improvements in the security area, thanks to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).  However, the report indicated also structural problems that were an obstacle to the development of the country.  Haiti was not in a position to meet any of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.  Progress had been achieved within the police force of the country.  The recommendations contained in the report, especially on the issue of the gender perspective, were welcomed. 

The recommendation mentioning the collaboration with the International Labour Organization was especially important.  A common strategy consolidating the progress already achieved was needed.  The Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti was the only forum dealing with development strategies for Haiti.  The political and financial support of the international community for Haiti was essential.  The Government had developed a long-term strategy in this regard.  Chile wanted to be part of the long-term commitment to Haiti and its people.  Chile had extended the stay of Chilean soldiers in Haiti for one more year.  Only a joint effort from the international community would lead to effective democracy in Haiti.

JEAN-MARIE EHOUZOU ( Benin) said Haiti needed the support of the international community to ensure its stability and to allow it to get itself out of the difficult situation in which it found itself.  Benin commended the work done by MINUSTAH.  There were emergencies in the country -- administration, drinking water, unemployment, the lack of infrastructure, among others -- and remedying these would bring Haiti into the situation of other countries in the region where it could benefit from the tourism potential.  There were young people in Haiti who wished to work for the future of their country, but there were no jobs for them and they often fell into the hands of those who manipulated them, causing further chaos. 

It was the end of a time of conflict, and the enormous challenge was now to restore peace.  The mandate of MINUSTAH should be renewed, if only for this reason.  It was vital that the international community identify appropriate steps and measures to work towards the goals that it had set itself.  Haiti could benefit from technical advice from other Southern countries. 

SELWIN HART (Barbados), speaking also on behalf of Guyana, said that Barbados had gladly joined the list of country sponsors of the resolution to be adopted by the Economic and Social Council in support of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, which recognized the progress made by the Government and people of Haiti in the rebuilding and rehabilitation process.  Haiti’s readmission to the Council of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and its stated commitment to implementing the administrative and legal measures necessary for its participation in the CARICOM single market and economy were considered to be key steps towards these goals. 

Barbados firmly believed that, as a region, the collective fate lay in the ability of every Member State to reach its fullest developmental potential and the ability to cooperate across all spheres of activity to achieve the most equitable possible creation and dispersion of wealth within the Community.  The gains that Haiti had made within the past years were modest, but heartening and it was crucial that impetus towards greater achievement was not slowed.  The longstanding commitment of Barbados to Haiti remained unchanged and the country encouraged international partners and donors to continue to provide the political and financial support required to help Haiti assume its rightful place within the community of nations.

ALFREDO LOPES CABRAL ( Guinea-Bissau) said discussing the situation in Haiti was very important.  Guinea-Bissau was historically linked to Haiti.  In the last few years, Haiti had made astounding progress, considering the scale of the problems to be overcome.  Guinea-Bissau thanked the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti for its efforts to help Haiti -- it was a group that had set an outstanding example, and had served the cause of a people that deserved support.  It was often said that the situation in Haiti was one about which nothing could be done, and this was not the case.  There were structural problems, an unfavourable environment, the fact that Haiti was a developing country that needed support to overcome its problems, but there was no doubt for the need for significant financial assistance to be given to Haiti in order for it to be able to create the environment that was required to ensure stability. 

Development was something that went hand in hand with political stability -- they were part of the same issue.  There should therefore be a holistic approach to the situation, with a resolution of many issues before there could be political stability.  The international community should be mobilized to help Haiti.  Haiti’s partners would, in the future, have to make additional efforts to remedy the situation -- there was an urgent need for intervention by the international community.  If true national capacity for Haiti was not created so that it could absorb the aid that it was given by the international community, then the results that were expected both by the international community and the people of Haiti would not be achieved.  All should show greater understanding of the situation, and work to assist the people and Government of Haiti to meet the challenges facing them.

JEAN FEYDER ( Luxembourg) said that he wanted to refer to the problem of the constant rural drift to the cities in Haiti.  Luxembourg was of the opinion that the discussion today was complementary to one that took place last year within the Human Rights Council.  Luxembourg welcomed the efforts made by the international community to support Haiti, especially with regard to the support of the country’s security forces.  According to a recent report by the European Union, economic, social and cultural rights were still not observed strongly enough in Haiti.  In 1994 and 1996, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank had imposed a structural adjustment programme on Haiti, including a trade liberalization policy.  This had had a disastrous impact on the rural population.  Tariff barriers had dropped in a few months.  Subsidized rice imports had thus exploded and this had had a negative effect on local farmers, who could not compete with these low prices. 

After the initial drop in prices, there had been a period of rising inflation and the prices went up again.  Now, Haiti had to spent large amounts on food imports.  According to the World Bank, agriculture accounted in 1990 for 35 per cent of the GDP of Haiti.  The same thing had happened in the textile sector and the shoe production.  Luxembourg had drawn the attention of Economic and Social Council to this situation.  There must be conclusions drawn from it.  One suggestion was to involve non-governmental organizations in it.  The Council should raise this issue in the next round of Bretton Woods talks next year.

RICHARD T. MILLER ( United States), in a brief question, inquired of the previous speaker whether the anti-trade liberalization views that he had expressed were the views of Luxembourg and its Government. 

Mr. FEYDER (Luxembourg), responding, said that the Government of Luxembourg had made its views very clear in this respect, and had taken a clear and public position with regards to this situation several times.  Further information on these incidents could be provided to the representative of the United States should he so require.

JEAN-CLAUDE PIERRE ( Haiti) thanked the Ad Hoc Advisory Group for its detailed report and the recommendations contained in it.  The importance of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper document was stressed.  It would be essential in preparing an analysis.  There was an exploratory mission of the World Bank in Haiti trying to find ways how to integrate Haiti in the world trade system.  Haiti needed technical assistance and financial support to restore the democratic institutions in the country, as well as support to create jobs so that there would be a reduction in drug abuse.  

LEO MERORES, Vice-President of the Council, speaking in his national capacity as the Permanent Representative of Haiti to the United Nations in New York, said that progress had been made in Haiti.  However, there was still a lot to be done.  The international community and its Member States were thanked, especially those who had provided special technical assistance.  Of course, there was still a considerable distance to cover, but as the representative from Guinea-Bissau had said, there were no grounds to believe that Haiti would always be a least developed country.  It would be able to overcome its difficulties, with the help of the international community, and there were grounds for cautious optimism that Haiti would be able to become a fully-fledged member of the international community.

VICTOR CARVELL (Canada), speaking on behalf of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, introducing a draft resolution (E/2006/L.18), entitled Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, said that, with the draft, the Council requested an extension of the mandate of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti until the substantive session of the Council in July 2008, for the purpose of following closely and providing advice on Haiti’s long-term development strategy to promote socio-economic recovery and stability.  The Group would implement its mandate with particular attention to the need for coherence and sustainability in international support for Haiti, based on long-term national development priorities, building upon the Interim Cooperation Framework and the forthcoming poverty reduction strategy.  The Group was conscious of the need to avoid overlap and duplication with respect to existing mechanisms, and if its mandate was extended, it would continue to cooperate with all relevant bodies.

The text of the draft resolution was not immediately available, and the Council is scheduled to take action on it next week.

Document

The Council has before it the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau (E/2007/57), which provides an overview of current developments in the country, including the overall economic and social situation.  It also describes the highlights of the work of the Group since its last report (E/2006/8), the current status of international donor support for the country, and provides the short-term priorities and medium-term perspective on the country from the point of view of the Group.  It makes some general conclusions and recommendations, including that Guinea-Bissau should continue to receive sustained attention from the international community.  The Group encourages the Government of Guinea-Bissau to strengthen its commitment to economic reforms and urges donors and other partners to support the country’s economic recovery and reconstruction.

Introduction of Report of Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau

SHELDON MOULTON (South Africa), introducing the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau, said that it was a pleasure to highlight some aspects of work of the Group that were discussed in the report, specifically within the context of recent development on Guinea-Bissau.  The Group had expressed concern at the continuing deterioration of the socio-economic and financial situation in Guinea-Bissau.  The Government continued to face many daunting socio-economic problems, which were summarized in the report.  The challenges experienced by Guinea-Bissau in consolidating the gains made in its post-conflict transition, required the full engagement of both the regional and international communities.

The report, he said, noted, inter alia, that one of the most significant developments in Guinea-Bissau recently was the fall of the Government following a no-confidence vote in late March 2007 and the creation of a new coalition Government; that the Government had identified a new challenging development, namely the use of its territory as a transit point for drug trafficking, as a high priority that must be addressed; and that despite the recent political and socio-economic difficulties, both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank had visited Guinea-Bissau during the last few months, amid positive signals that should be heeded by the donors and other partners.  The Group welcomed the newly signed convention between the European Commission and the Government of Guinea-Bissau granting €6.2 million in budgetary support. 

It was of paramount importance that the international community should honour all the pledges that were made at the November 2006 Donor Roundtable Conference, he said.  The report noted that the challenges faced by Guinea-Bissau should be addressed on an urgent basis to avoid violent conflict.  The Group therefore encouraged the Government of Guinea-Bissau to strengthen its commitment to economic reforms and urged donors and other partners to support the country’s economic recovery and reconstruction.  The Group expressed its sincere appreciation to all those individuals and entities who had tirelessly facilitated and contributed to its work.  It had taken a collective effort to assist Guinea-Bissau.  The Ad Hoc Advisory Group could not have succeeded in its task without this valuable support.

General Discussion

Mr. LOPES CABRAL ( Guinea-Bissau) said the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau highlighted the activities undertaken by the Group, and gave a picture of what it had done to help a country that was under a difficult situation, and highlighted the difficulties that remained.  These required sustained attention from the international community.  The problem of Guinea-Bissau’s development was, first and foremost, something that fell within the responsibility of the people of that country.  Those in Government that wished to be elected had to be committed to serving the country to emerge from the difficult situation, and not use their post simply to serve themselves.  There was a need to establish order in the country, to enhance transparency on the way in which public funds were managed, and to show that the people of the country were able to govern themselves on a democratic basis.

There were many difficulties in the path of Guinea-Bissau, and it agreed that it had a heavy share of responsibility for resolving matters, and to ensure that it was able, through democracy, to protect and promote human rights, and that everybody in the country was able to enjoy a situation of political stability, which was part of something bigger.  The Group was thanked for being in the vanguard of the international movement in support of Guinea-Bissau.  The report also made it clear that there was a need not only to continue current efforts, but to go beyond these to cover other issues.  Given the weak capacity that existed in State institutions, the country had become a transit point for drug traffickers, and this was an issue of great concern.  The international community should help the country to deal with this issue, which had become a vital problem, and the Government of Guinea-Bissau was making an appeal in this regard. 

WILLIAM EXANTUS ( Haiti) said that he would like to thank the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau for the report on the situation in Guinea-Bissau.  The Group had done a great deal of work and the report showed a clear picture of the situation in Guinea-Bissau.  Haiti expressed its solidarity within Guinea-Bissau, saying both of the countries were linked through friendship.  Guinea-Bissau was suffering from the same evils as Haiti, such as institutional shortcomings and to sum it up, poverty.  Guinea-Bissau thus had the full solidarity and support of Haiti.  Haiti asked for the support of the work being done by Guinea-Bissau itself.  Such assistance could allow Guinea-Bissau to return to the path of sustainable development and peace.

Mr. MILLER ( United States) said both Haiti and Guinea-Bissau were countries which were in very difficult situations, and both were exerting extraordinary efforts to improve these situations, with the assistance of the international community.  The whole process of these Ad Hoc Groups was now inextricably tied in to the question of the work of the Peacebuilding Commission, and was in some way duplicative of the functions the international community had assigned to that Commission.  The Commission was not fully formed yet, it had had only a year of work, and there was more to be done with regards to its progress.  

The United States had a sense of solidarity with the people of both Guinea-Bissau and Haiti.  The importance of leadership in those countries could not be neglected, and evidence had been shown here in the Council of superb leadership - and there was therefore increased hope for the two countries. 

ANA SAPINHO PIRES ( Cape Verde) expressed its thanks for the presentation of the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau.  Further, it supported the recommendations made in the report.  Support was also expressed for the appeal made here by the Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau as of the urgent need to take certain steps within the international community to support Guinea-Bissau in its combat against drug trafficking because it was endangering the climate of peace and security in the country.  Cape Verde expressed its support to the people of Guinea-Bissau.  

* *** *

For information media • not an official record