|
Financing
for Development Preparatory Committee Co-chair emphasized that the purpose of the PrepCom is to build partnerships in pursuit of development, and to create a document that is a package that will “keep everyone on board.” Venezuela (Chair of G-77 and China) called for an action-oriented document with follow-up mechanisms and evaluation. Domestic resources are primary source of development financing, but this is only possible with conducive international environment. Due to new era of globalization, international financing is also important, particularly private funds. The final document should strengthen cooperation between business and development measures. Trade is essential to mobilize and expand resource base. In terms of ODA, recipient countries should be in the driver’s seat and increase domestic capacity for the most effective use of this funding. Official assistance should be set aside for social sectors in need. Spain (Chair of EU) called for commitment to the Millennium Declaration and new North-South partnership as recognized at LDC conference. New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is example of good cooperation, emphasizing pro-poor macroeconomic policy promoting investment, human rights good governance, anti-corruption, environmental protection. Stressed importance of increasing ODA and other international/national resources. United States (Ambassador John Negroponte) stated that the domestic private sector, not national or foreign governments, is best source of future growth. Economic growth and development results from domestic economic policy improvements and limited trade barriers, including increased private investment, increased institutional capacity, political and economic stability, regulatory transparency, etc. US has provided over $1.2 billion in past three years building trade capacity internationally. Pointed to “Doha experience of consensus building” and refers to 2000 Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for good example of innovation. One percent of GDP invested in better policy and capacity would increase private investment to 1.9 percent of GDP. The US is working to relieve burden of heavily-indebted countries and has new Global Development Alliance where public-private partnerships are not available. Bangladesh (LDCs) stated that the 49 LDC countries don’t have resources to be viable trading partner and suggested microcredit programs in Bangladesh as good paradigm. Japan, among other comments, suggested shortening document by a couple of pages. Mongolia (Land-Locked countries) agrees with document’s description of nature of international financing, especially ODA. Land-locked countries need support of international community in capacity building in mobilizing domestic financial resources. Market access and transportation costs have major impact on economic performance and land-locked countries lack geographic advantage – income levels and growth rates are higher for countries with more population near the coast. Need cooperation from industrialized countries on export diversification, technology and strengthening supply capacity. Honduras (Central American Alliance for Sustainable Development and OAS rep) spoke on importance of GPGs; link to WSSD; NAFTA as global model for success of free trade; December 96 meeting in Bolivia on Sustainable Development that called on World Bank and IADB to help with FfD; and Summit of Americas in Chile where there was discussion of improved civil society participation. Jordan called for increased ODA - will need more than 50 billion for sound development. Holy See spoke on peace and Millennium Summit. UNIFEM (Executive Director Noeleen Heyzer) pointed to the impact of low development assistance, gender budget analysis as model, and stressed resource allocation for gender equity and women’s empowerment. ILO stated that the draft document lacks specificity and concreteness. There are terrible levels of poverty and injustice. Outcomes that are sought include: increased investment and domestic revenue collection, increased ODA, procedures for handling debt crises, extension of GPGs, improved market access for South exports, and strengthening governance structure of global economy. There should be an increased number of decisions about actions, with references to responsible parties, and agreement on issues requiring more study. Refered to proposal for World Commission on the Social Dimensions of Globalization. Rebecca Pearl 1/15/02
|
|
|