Regional groups and countries from the developing world and the industrialized world alike voiced support this morning for UNCTAD´s mandate and for its three-pillared approach to helping the globe´s poor nations raise living standards through trade and related economic growth.
Addressing the opening meeting of a four-day review of progress made under guidelines set at the UNCTAD XI conference, held in 2004 in São Paulo, Brazil, speakers cautioned that potential reform of the United Nations system should not weaken UNCTAD or modify its four-decades-old approach based on the so-called three pillars of research and analysis, consensus building, and technical cooperation provided to developing countries.
UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told the gathering that "the underlying, the overarching, objective of all our activities is to help developing countries advance. That premise cannot be overstated. We are not, as some have feared, moving away from a focus on development, because development is what we are about."
Dr. Supachai said a report was expected soon from the Eminent Persons Panel he appointed last year to make recommendations on enhancing the development role and impact of UNCTAD. While the outcome of wider UN reforms could not be predicted in advance, he told the meeting, "One thing. . . is not subject to change, and that is the centrality of trade and development to the work of the United Nations. UNCTAD has a clear mandate and an impressive record of achievements in this regard."
A representative of Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said that "over the last four decades, UNCTAD has been the world´s development conscience." Revitalizing the organization, he said, "can best be done by strengthening the three pillars. . . essentially from a development perspective and on an equal footing." He and other speakers called for a closer link between the three activities, stressing that research and analysis should be topical and focused on matters of economic importance to developing countries, that the results should lead to trade and development policies agreed to by consensus, and that those outcomes should then be fashioned into useful technical cooperation projects.
A representative of Sri Lanka, speaking on behalf of the Asian Group, said "The substance of UNCTAD´s technical assistance, based on the interface between the three pillars and in accordance with the São Paulo mandates, is what matters most, particularly in view of the increasing number of other providers of trade-related assistance."
Honduras, offering a statement on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries (GRULAC) said "The three functions of UNCTAD are equally important" and added that "the complementarity and interrelation between the three functions is what characterizes and distinguishes UNCTAD in comparison to other organizations which focus on trade and development."
Algeria, on behalf of the African Group, appealed for "strengthening of the mandate of UNCTAD in the context of the ongoing debate on reform of the United Nations system."
And Austria, representing the European Union, told the meeting "we all should reconfirm our commitment to UNCTAD" and said strengthening of the organization "has to take place in and across all the three pillars." The representative said the EU "(does) not discourage UNCTAD from being courageous and, if and when necessary, from challenging conventional wisdom, provided that this is grounded in solid research and strong evidence and that the UNCTAD membership is given a reasonable chance to discuss the ideas in question."
Also addressing the session were representatives of the Czech Republic (on behalf of Group D), the United States, the Russian Federation, Colombia, Thailand, China, Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, Iran, Tonga, and the Philippines.
This second phase of the Mid-Term Review will continue through Thursday, with discussion apportioned this afternoon to UNCTAD research and analysis; on Tuesday to consensus building; on Wednesday to technical cooperation; and Thursday to a general review of the debate.
The Mid-Term Review process will culminate in a third phase featuring a high-level meeting in September.
