SPECIAL EVENT
Brussels, 14 May 2001, 10.00 am - 13.00 pm, Plenary Hall
CONCEPT
The eradication of poverty has been declared one
of the major challenges of the new millennium. Over the past 30 years
much has been said and tried, but are the Least Developed Countries
(LDCs) and the international community any closer to tackling the many
dimensions of the poverty problem and to offering sustainable solutions?
In a special event, Heads of LDCs and high-level representatives from the international community - United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations, donors, NGOs and business - will debate key issues, expectations and opportunities for the Third UN Conference on LDCs and beyond.
The Special Event provides the opening platform for the key players in development to demonstrate cooperation and solidarity.
Three key issues will guide the interactive debate:
| · SEGMENT I: | A. Results | What
has been achieved over the past 30 years? |
| B. Rethinking | Are
the new approaches and initiatives addressing the LDC needs? |
|
| · SEGMENT II: | Reality | How
can we reach the 2015 International Development Goals? |
The selected panellists will set the tone
for a results- and commitment-oriented Conference. Expected outcomes
include:
- Global policy agreements
- Realistic targets and benchmarks
- Specific commitments from donors and LDCs
Þ The LDC III Conference as
a yardstick for individual "pledges" towards a global commitment.
PROVISIONAL SESSION OUTLINE
INTERACTIVE DEBATE
Chaired by Kofi Annan, Secretary-General, United Nations
SEGMENT I: RESULTS AND RETHINKING
WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS?
· The President of the Conference, Göran Persson, invites Kofi Annan to open the Special Event
· Key note address: Overview
of UN initiatives, assessment of progress made, context of the Conference
Kofi Annan, Secretary-General, United Nations
· Q: What are the expectations
for the Conference and beyond?
Göran Persson, Prime Minister, Sweden, President, LDC III
Conference
· Q: What are the contributions
and concerns of the developing countries?
Olesegun Obasanjo, President, Nigeria
· Alpha Oumar Konaré,
President, Mali
Reactions: Current situation, constraints and priorities of LDCs
ARE THE NEW APPROACHES
AND INITIATIVES ADDRESSING THE LDC NEEDS?
· Q: What are the new approaches
of the World Bank towards LDCs?
James Wolfensohn, President, World Bank Group
· Q: What is the role of
trade in poverty reduction?
Mike Moore, Director-General, WTO
· Q: How does the European
partnership approach contribute to poverty eradication?
Poul Nielson, European Commissioner, Development Co-operation
and Humanitarian Aid
· Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister,
Bangladesh
Reactions: LDC experience of the multilateral approaches to poverty
eradication
· Q: How can the private
sector get involved?
Christine Hemrick, Vice President for Strategic Technology Policy,
Cisco Systems
· Q: How does the civil society
contribute to poverty eradication?
John Sayer, Executive Director, OXFAM International
· Benjamin Mkapa, President,
United Republic of Tanzania
Reactions: LDC reactions on the role of the major actors to development
SEGMENT II: REALITY
HOW CAN WE REACH THE 2015
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS?
Lead questions posed by Rubens Ricupero, Secretary-General, UNCTAD
· Q: How can the International
Development Goals be reached?
Harri Holkeri, President, Millennium Assembly
· Q: Can current initiatives
reverse the trends?
Andrew Natsios, USAID Administrator
· Q: Is there international
commitment?
Salil Shetty, Chief Executive, ActionAid
· Apollo Nsibambi, Prime
Minister, Uganda
Reactions: What more is needed?
Time permitting: short interventions from LDC Heads of State or Government and Heads of UN Agencies
· Conclusion
Rubens Ricupero, Secretary-General, UNCTAD
Geneva, Switzerland