REMARKS BY MR PETER LE ROUX, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE G77 AND CHINA, TO THE INFORMAL SESSION OF ECOSOC ON THE DRAFT MINISTERIAL DECLARATION (New York, 6 June 2006)

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the possible elements for the draft Ministerial Declaration for the 2006 High level segment.

The Group of 77 and China thanks the President for the draft elements as we see the draft as a good basis to start from and in this regard the Group preliminary general brief comments are as follows:

From the Groups perspective the draft covers the issues of employment from the national level quite comprehensively, however, considering the complex issues of employment, the draft elements does not cover the issues of the impact of globalization has on employment at the national level, and in particular from the perspective of external conditions at the international level. Furthermore, the root causes of unemployment, such as underdevelopment, low skills base, poverty, lack of capacity and technical know how, etc, are also not covered. Social development and in particular issues contained in the outcome of the Copenhagen Summit for Social Development needs to be reflected. Equally on the issue of people living in rural and agricultural regions, the issue of human settlements and rural development need to be reflected.

If we are to consider the well documented global imbalances in the global economic, financial and trading regimes, it would be very important that systemic issues at the international level be reflected in the draft elements. The impact of monetary policies, trade policies and in particular trade distorting subsidies, non tariff barriers, foreign direct investment, policy space, voice and participation of developing countries in the BWI's, the role of international organisations, international migration and corporate social and environmental responsibility needs to be covered in the declaration if we are to tackle the complex issue of "creating an environment at the nation and international levels conducive to generating full and productive employment and decent work for all, and its impact on sustainable development" holistically, comprehensively and equitably.

It would therefore be important that the structure of the declaration cover both the national levels and international levels equitably.

The Group of 77 and China looks forward to the next draft and trust that the issues as outlined by the Group will be included.

I thank you.