The Economic and Social Council this morning opened its General Segment and held a general discussion on two items on its agenda, namely the implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits: follow-up to the International Conference on Financing for Development; and implementation of General Assembly resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B, 57/270 B, and 60/265, including 61/6.

Sylvie Lucas, the President of the Council, said heads of State recognized that it was necessary to open up an inter-governmental process to give attention and consideration to the Monterey Consensus and Doha discussions within the context of the development financing process. She said that States said it was essential to identify obstacles, challenges, problems, and specific measures to be taken, among other things during the inter-governmental process. Acting with the Bretton Woods, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development helped the intergovernmental process to advance Monterey and Doha. The intergovernmental follow-up was essential for reform and development, so that developing countries could deal with their challenges, and also ensured the follow up to commitments made in Monterey and Doha for the development financing process.

In the general discussion, speakers noted, among other things, that the unprecedented global financial crisis that the world was currently facing had highlighted the importance of devoting all efforts to achieving the Millennium Development Goals: poor people would suffer most from this crisis, and the international community needed to continue to act to mitigate its impact. In tackling these threats that crept up on individuals across national borders, each country and the international community as a whole should make efforts to take people-centred measures that were comprehensive and multi-sectoral. The United Nations could play a more concerted role in promoting coherent global actions in the face of the crises, and the Council had a special role to play in this regard.

The world should refrain from protectionist measures and work towards an inclusive globalization and an open world economy, speakers said. The tasks facing the Council in following-up financing for development should be resolved in the context of international efforts to create a new and more transparent economic and financial atmosphere, based on mutual respect for countries' systems. Coming at the heels of the food and energy crisis, the financial and economic crises had caused millions to be pushed back into poverty and despair, and the reversal of hard-earned Millennium Development Goals gains. The occurrence of the financial crisis demonstrated that there were inadequacies in the current global financial and economic governance structure, calling for new mechanisms and institutions beyond those presently in existence.

Climate change was an additional global challenge, and extraordinary resources were needed; the financial architecture dealing with climate change should be efficient, effective, and equitable. Even in the face of the economic crisis, donor countries should deliver on their existing commitments on development in a timely and steadfast manner. International financial institutions had a pivotal role to play in the efforts to overcome the current crisis. The global financial and economic systems should be reformed to ensure among other things that there was transparency, accountability, as well as an increased voice and participation of developing countries. Developing countries needed to benefit from intellectual and industrial property, particularly in the fields of agricultural and environmental industries.

Speaking this morning were the representatives of Sweden on behalf of the European Union, Japan, Russian Federation, Mexico, Pakistan, Belarus, Kenya, Algeria, Brazil and France.

The next meeting of the Council will be at 3 p.m. this afternoon, when it will continue with its General Segment and consider two items on its agenda entitled long-term programme of support for Haiti, and African countries emerging from conflict.

Reports

The Council has before it 1a letter dated 21 October 2008 from the Permanent Representatives of Norway and the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (E/2009/4), which contains the International Labour Organization Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, which was unanimously adopted on 10 June 2008 by the General Conference of the International Labour Organization at its ninety-seventh session, held in Geneva from 28 May to 13 June 2008 (see annex). The Declaration reflects a wide consensus on the need for a strong social dimension to globalization in achieving improved and fair outcomes for all. It also provides a clear direction to accelerate progress in implementing the decent work agenda, as called for in various resolutions of the United Nations, including the 2005 World Summit Outcome and other regional agreements.

Also before the Council is a summary by the President of the Economic and Social Council of the special high-level meeting of the Council with the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (New York, 27 April 2009) (E/2009/60), which says the two sub-themes that had been selected to serve as the focus of substantive discussions in two consecutive plenary debates were: (a) addressing the impact of the global financial and economic crises on development, including issues related to the international financial and monetary architecture and global governance structures; and (b) strengthening the intergovernmental inclusive process to carry out the financing for development follow-up. The meeting had before it a note by the Secretary-General (E/2009/48), which provided background information and suggested possible questions on the two sub-themes. The meeting featured a brief opening plenary meeting and two thematic debates on the above-mentioned topics.

General Discussion

HANS DAHLGREN (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the unprecedented global financial crisis that the world was currently facing had highlighted the importance of devoting all efforts to achieving the Millennium Development Goals: poor people would suffer most from this crisis, and the international community needed to continue to act to mitigate its impact. Shared responsibilities and the spirit of partnership were the essence of the Monterrey Consensus. Partner countries and donor countries alike needed to deliver on their Monterrey commitments. For partner countries, a key measure was improved mobilisation of domestic resources; for donor countries, it was essential to deliver on aid volume commitments, and there should be fair burden-sharing among donors. The European Union welcomed the reforms underway in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. It was vital that this contribute to more legitimate, inclusive and transparent institutions. It was of utmost importance to reach a swift and ambitious conclusion of the Doha Round of trade negotiations. This was particularly important to developing countries. The world should refrain from protectionist measures and work towards an inclusive globalization and an open world economy. Climate change was an additional global challenge, and extraordinary resources were needed; the financial architecture dealing with climate change should be efficient, effective, and equitable.

KENJU MURAKAMI (Japan) said the region to which Japan belonged, East Asia, experienced a serious economic crisis in the late nineties. One of the most important lessons they learned was that, in the face of a sudden economic downturn, it was always the vulnerable and voiceless people who suffered the most and whose lives, livelihood and dignity were the first to be threatened. This was how Japan began making efforts to advocate human security. In tackling these threats that crept up on individuals across national borders, each country and the international community as a whole should make efforts to take people-centred measures that were comprehensive and multi-sectoral. Such measures should focus not only on protecting individuals and communities but also on empowering them to take on the crisis themselves. They strongly believed that the human security approach provided them with very relevant guidance in addressing the crisis they currently faced. Even in the face of economic crisis, donor countries should deliver on their existing commitments on development in a timely and steadfast manner. International financial institutions had a pivotal role to play in the efforts to overcome the current crisis. Japan valued the swift response of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to the crisis, as well as their reform process to enhance the voice and participation of developing countries.

ALEXANDER PANKIN (Russian Federation) said the substantive session of the Economic and Social Council and its spring meetings with high-level financial institutions were key elements in follow-up to the Monterrey Consensus and Doha. Among the important instruments for the effective implementation of the post-Monterrey agenda was the work of ECOSOC in financing development, which should be aimed towards strengthening the United Nations' cooperation with financial institutions. There should be full mobilisation of ECOSOC's advantages. The tasks facing the Council in following-up financing for development should be resolved in the context of international efforts to create a new and more transparent economic and financial atmosphere, based on mutual respect for countries' systems. There should be a new model for national regulation, with responsibility at the economic and State level. Russia was prepared to engage in a constructive dialogue with all partners concerning the establishment within the United Nations system framework of a Panel of Experts to study the economic crisis. In the difficult circumstances surrounding the financial and economic crisis, Russia continued to work to support its development partners. Russia would provide the International Monetary Fund with additional financial resources for loans to countries in need, and was participating in financing the World Bank to support the most vulnerable States. Russia was ready to interact constructively with partners with a view to harmonising recommendations for strengthening and improving the inter-Governmental process in financial development.

JOSE RAMO LORENZO (Mexico) said they were grateful for the efforts made with respect to the mechanisms put in place to help finance development. It was important to recall that the General Assembly addressed the subject of finance for development within the context of the global economic and financial crises, and also decided to implement the Monterey Consensus at its sixty-fourth session. Follow-up mechanisms to the Monterey Consensus should be strengthened, and as such a proposal was put forth and had been accepted by ECOSOC which added substance to the discussion in the Council. They were convinced that greater tactility would result in a more fruitful and interesting debate among participants. A review of the follow up mechanism should be conducted and the discussions on development should be more interesting, and should not duplicate discussions or overlap efforts. Mexico attached great importance to the number of actors involved in the follow-up to the Monterey Consensus. The holistic and cross-cutting nature of the Monterey Consensus should be emphasized and discussions should avoid compartmentalizing the debate. Mexico reiterated its commitment to continue to contribute and participate in the discussion on development financing.

MUHAMMAD AYUB (Pakistan) said the contemporary development challenges had reasserted the relevance of the Monterrey Consensus - it was therefore urgent to ensure effective and timely follow-up to the Conference and the Doha Declaration. A follow-up mechanism should be put in place to ensure a stronger Government contribution. The Consensus promised a global partnership for development, in which all countries committed to a common goal: development for all. However, this goal continued to elude a large part of the globe. Developing countries had, at great sacrifice, lived up to their commitments, whilst developed countries had not. The financial and economic crises had severely impacted on the development of developing countries, and had a serious impact on the six chapters of Monterrey. Coming at the heels of the food and energy crises, the financial and economic crises had caused millions to be pushed back into poverty and despair, and the reversal of hard-earned Millennium Development Goals gains. There was a human calamity in the developing world. This was a time to reinvigorate trade for development. The full potential of trade could not be tapped without political influence to break the log-jam, and achieve a truly successful development agreement. Transfer of technologies was vital to help the poor to escape their plight, and help countries to achieve development. The current financial crisis should not be a reason for developed countries to backtrack on their official development assistance commitments. Long-term predictable assistance in support of developing countries national budgets would help them to escape from their situation. The crisis had exposed serious flaws in the world financial system - reform efforts should be undertaken.

VITALIY KORNEV (Belarus) said the main task of the Economic and Social Council was to coordinate activities effectively on decisions made in New York on the global economic and financial crises and in Doha. An important element of the work of ECOSOC was its work with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization. Although protectionism was condemned by the United Nations and the Group of 20, it remained an issue. The use of protectionism measures for political measures further aggravated the current global economic and financial crises. Belarus welcomed the positive changes in the policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in terms of providing micro credits to countries in need. The General Assembly should discuss proposals to broaden the basis of discussion to include representatives of system creating countries in the world. The current system of reserve currencies should be reviewed, as well as new forms and sources of renewable energy.

ROBERT NGEI MULE (Kenya) said the current global financial and economic crises had negative implications on financing for development, and would slow down developing countries’ ability to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the commitments in the Monterrey Consensus, as they relied mainly on sources of finance which were directly affected by the financial crisis. In developing countries, the financial crisis was turning into a human and development calamity, since there was little or no means to mitigate its impacts, and the poor and vulnerable lacked social safety nets. Hence, facilitating the recovery of the developing countries was an urgent necessity. Commitments at the international level sometimes restricted the policy space for developing countries to pursue policies that responded to their development needs, including resource mobilisation for development. Lack of policy space limited the set of policy choices available for countries to respond to shocks. It was important to adopt solutions which did not compromise on policy space. The occurrence of the financial crisis demonstrated that there were inadequacies in the current global financial and economic governance structure, calling for new mechanisms and institutions beyond those presently in existence. The global financial and economic systems should be reformed to ensure among other things that there was transparency, accountability, as well as an increased voice and participation of developing countries. The United Nations could play a more concerted role in promoting coherent global actions in the face of the crises, and the Council had a special role to play in this regard.

ATHMANE MEHADJI (Algeria) said the choice for the theme of the discussion this morning came at the right time. The international community was faced by enormous challenges, with the global economic and financial crises, particularly for poorer countries. Algeria welcomed the initiative taken by the Secretary-General to deal with subjects pertaining to sustainable development at the next session of the General Assembly. As developed countries were responsible for the world’s environmental problems such as green house gases, developing countries required more support from their development partners to deal with this. To attain the sustainable development goals, countries needed more resources and thus greater responsibility by the South, as identified in the Monterey Consensus. There had to be an end to the drying up of development funds. The international community needed to show more solidarity in terms of development aid. Major donors tended to freeze assistance funds which they announced at different international conferences and fora. Additional efforts were needed and innovative sources of funding had to be identified. A greater political will had to be shown in finding additional funds in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Developing countries needed to benefit from intellectual and industrial property, particularly in the fields of agricultural and environmental industries.

JOAS LUCAS QUENTAL NOVAES DE ALMEIDA (Brazil) said the Council had a key role to play in ensuring implementation of the follow-up of the major United Nations Conferences and summits, but it often seemed as though it was just rubber-stamping decisions taken by subsidiary bodies. Meaningful discussion over the agenda should be strengthened. The financial and economic crises had shown the need to strengthen coherence in the United Nations system. Over the last few years, there had been a number of important innovations put in place to help the United Nations and the Council tackle inter-Governmental coherence. The Annual Ministerial Review had an important role to play in this regard. The Chief Executives Board for Coordination had further contributed to horizontal and vertical coherence. However, there were still a number of important initiatives to take. The governing bodies of United Nations organizations often did not take fully into account the decisions and deliberations of ECOSOC, and they had the responsibility to follow-up and monitor conferences. While taking important measures to develop common strategies, policies and methodologies, there seemed to be insufficient accountability between the Chief Executives Board and Member States, particularly with regard to ECOSOC. There should be an effective mechanism for follow-up of the development commitments.

SYVIE LUCAS, President of the Economic and Social Council, said heads of State recognized that it was necessary to open up an inter-governmental process to give attention and consideration to the Monterey Consensus and Doha discussions within the context of the development financing process. States said it was essential to identify obstacles, challenges, problems, and specific measures to be taken, among other things during the inter-governmental process. They asked ECOSCO to examine this issue at its spring meeting with all the stakeholders to formulate rapid recommendations to the General Assembly to be announced at its sixty-fourth session. This was based on the Doha discussions and all discussions of the Council in Geneva. These discussions focused on the impact of the economic and financial crises, and in particular the increase in poverty, among other things, which thus meant they were dealing with the human issues in this crisis, acting in a coordinated manner. Acting with the Bretton Woods, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development helped the intergovernmental process to advance Monterey and Doha. The intergovernmental follow-up was essential for reform and development, so that developing countries could deal with their challenges, and also ensured the follow up to commitments made in Monterey and Doha for the development financing process.

Ms. Lucas said that she presented on 8 June some elements for consideration on how to carry out the process of the intergovernmental process. Areas of convergence focused on how to maintain an open, multi-stakeholder, holistic and integrated approach throughout the process. Another focus or aim was the need to attract diverse participation, not only from parliaments, but also from finance institutions, as well as participants from the development and trade side, in order to have meaningful and concrete discussions. Given the feedback received after presenting on 8 June, she submitted a draft on the 10 June, which was a comprehensive report that included all these elements. All elements had been discussed. The discussions had been commensurate to the development financing process. In conclusion, she said it was time to cease discussions, to make recommendations, and to emphasize the key role the Monterey Consensus and Doha discussions played in the context of development financing.

CAROLINE KRAJKA (France) said the implementation of the outcomes of the various United Nations summits and conferences was a very important step for the Council to take, particularly in the context of the financial and economic crises, which had many impacts. The Millennium Declaration dealt with development in all its aspects, and a full and coherent implementation was important. The Council should continue in its efforts to fulfil its mandate and strengthen it, using the resolution 61/16 in this regard. The Doha Conference and the conference on the international crisis and its impact on development held one month ago were opportunities once again to support the role of dialogue and coordination in order to have a balanced approach to the economic and financial facets of development. There should be better coordination in order to better serve the objectives to be reached and help vulnerable populations. Ways to assess possibilities among Member States should be considered further. The United Nations should better strengthen its actions.


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