By Laura Ivers
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)February 11, 1999
The Ad Hoc Open Ended Working Group on Financing for Development (FfD) met on Wednesday, 10 February 1999, at UN Headquarters in New York City to continue consideration of its programme of work. Several countries, including Indonesia and Kenya, supported using the recurring themes and key elements as set out in document A/53/470 (link to UN Financing for Development page with access to document A/53/470) as the basis for discussion.
Kenya proposed additional topics, including: the status of the international intergovernmental consideration of FFD, such as a conference or summit, to be held prior to 2001; the status of the outcome of such a conference; eradication of poverty in the context of globalization and market liberalization; and accountability of development resources at national, regional and international levels.
Indonesia noted that trade liberalization has led to an increase in private capital flows, decrease in official development assistance (ODA) and marginalization of developing country economies. He noted that the recent financial crisis drew attention to the weakness of the international economic system and brought the future of development financing under question. Indonesia, along with the Philippines, emphasized that panel discussions held as part of the FFD process should be well focused and not indulge in discussions that are not directly relevant to the work of the Working Group.
El Salvador stressed that the conference on FFD should be at the highest level, mobilize political will, and enhance global awareness of FFD. He emphasized the importance of ODA for institutional and functional infrastructure building.
Egypt said private sector, NGO and academic perspectives should be included in consideration of FFD.
Canada noted that current discussions on FFD within various fora are fragmented, and emphasized the importance of a catalytic, holistic and ad hoc role for the Working Group. He noted two phases for the process: the immediate determination of the forum, scope and agenda of the international conference; and the technical and analytical consideration of FFD. He proposed: initial informal meetings on each of the eight recurring themes and key elements (A/53/470) or two sets of meetings addressing four topics each; identification of sub-elements to be given to institutions for further development; a second round of discussions; and formal discussions on draft resolutions in preparation for the 54th Session of the General Assembly.
Turkey called for a flexible agenda allowing for emergence of new ideas, and identification of synergies with and momentum generated in other fora.
South Africa hoped the conference on FFD would result in an implementable plan of action.
Cuba drew attention to the inefficiency and insufficiency of structural adjustment programmes and emphasized the importance of not imposing concepts of development on countries and of finding development alternatives for the new millenium.
Netin Desai, Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, emphasized that the FFD process is unique in that it is formalized even at this preliminary stage. He noted that the task at hand is to decide on the forum, scope and agenda of the conference and not to provide solutions, as that is the role of the conference. He underscored the Secretariat's willingness to support the process and further identify issues for discussion.
The US expressed concern over the need to examine information already available on FFD prior to determining the scope and agenda of the conference.
Malaysia emphasized the need to encourage stakeholder involvement in the process.
St. Lucia said the event should include all participants.
The Philippines emphasized that the process for addressing FFD is as important as substantive work and questioned what the most appropriate global financial governance mechanism might be and what role Bretton Woods institutions would play within such a mechanism.
The World Bank expressed its willingness to participate in the process.
Pakistan noted general areas of agreement that the process should include: informal consultations; deliberations to identify issues to be included in the agenda; and concrete results, not just free flowing dialogues.
The Working Group will meet again on Thursday, 11 February, to finalize discussions on its programme of work.
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