UNCTAD XII Better Than All - Secretary - General

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday, 26 April 2008
THE Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Supachai Panitchpakdi, has described the just ended Accra edition as "an improvement on the previous conferences since 1964."

"This is the first time we are witnessing a meeting of all minds ranging from the academia to business to tackle the critical issue of development and globalisation".

Dr Supachai was addressing a news conference to close UNCTAD XII in Accra yesterday.

UNCTAD XII, held from April 20 to 25, which had the theme: "Addressing the opportunities and challenges of globalisation for development," was attended by more than 4,000 representatives from all over the world, including some head of state, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon.

Dr Supachai said: "Accra has seen an enthusiasm and phenomenon for development solidarity. The push for a new globalised and liberalised world should be a shared responsibility of all countries".

He said member countries have resolved to collaborate toward the development agenda, adding "we should make it a powerful means to achieve the objectives of putting in place the necessary interventions to raise the living standard of the people".

Dr Supachai further said that with the new enthusiasm among member states it should be possible for developing countries especially those in Africa to catch up in the race to achieve targets set for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said "Development partnership has been created here and member countries should be able to involve the private sector to facilitate the achievement of the MDGs."

The countries must be development oriented, he added, saying "it is the responsibility of the international community to support the integration of the economies of Africa. This will mean more than trade negotiations and access to the world market".

On agriculture, Dr Supachai said there should be a clear policy direction in the sector and added "we are going to work on commodities in the form of production and prices".

He said member countries resolved to ensure coherence and financial discipline saying "we need a collective and multi-lateral solution to problems".

On gender and globalisation, he said Finland was able to put the issue in the right perspective, adding that the ‘Women in Business Award’ which has been instituted was an intervention to encourage more women to small scale or serious business.

"UNCTAD XII will be the landmark to set into motion our effort to enjoy the new era of globalisation."