STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. ARTHUR G. MWAKAPUGI, PRINCIPAL ECONOMIST, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA TO THE U.N. ON ADOPTION OF AN AGENDA FOR DEVELOPMENT AT THE AD HOC OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AN AGENDA FOR DEVELOPMENT

New York, June 20, 1997

Mr. Chairman/Co-Chairs,
Distinguished Delegates,

On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I would like to express our appreciation for your work well done in leading the negotiating process on An Agenda for Development which we have just adopted.

Your patience, wisdom and commitment in the conduct of the negotiations was outstanding. Certainly, without those qualities of leadership, the conclusion of the process could not have been reached today.

We would also like to express our gratitude to our development partners for their cooperation and understanding in the negotiations. Their willingness to negotiate and accommodate some of our fundamental concerns contributed remarkably to reaching this outcome on Agenda for Development.

We thank the Secretariat, in particular Mr. Johan Scholvinck and Ms. Marion for tireless efforts to facilitate the task of the Working Group. We also thank the interpreters and all staff who were working behind the scenes for their facilitation.

Mr. Co-Vice Chairs,

The outcome of the preparatory process of Agenda for Development, which we have just adopted is one of the best attempts by the Member States of the United Nations to address development and international cooperation for development in the most comprehensive manner. Basically, it provides a durable framework on principles, objectives, measures and actions which would guide member states at the national and international levels.

Indeed, the package of elements in the document is not exhaustive but, in the main, it incorporates some of the ideas and proposals of great concern to developing countries, such as on the evolution towards genuine partnership, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the United Nations system and national ownership of development process.

However, we recognize that there are some elements which could not be addressed most squarely, in particular, the unconditional and unequivocal commitment to fulfil United Nations targets on financial flows, the imperative and primacy of substantial resources for funds and programmes, taking account of unique and special characteristics of countries in values of their societies and ascertaining the leadership of the United Nations in development policy formulation and guidance.

We have realized that all major political-economic-social-cultural problems of the world can be tackled meaningfully when development is fully addressed by both developed and developing countries as guided by this Agenda for Development. In order to implement this Agenda for Development most effectively, political commitment is the most critical requirement. Developing countries are ready and committed to implement this Agenda fully with the expectation that our development partners will also play their part fully.

Co-Vice-Chairs,

I should also thank the Member States of the Group of 77 and China for honouring my country to lead them in the negotiations with our partners. Surely, without their cooperation, encouragement and understanding the ending of the preparatory process could not be this joyous and beautiful.

I thank you all.