Chairman,
Excellencies,
G77
Experts,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good
Morning,
It is indeed a privilege for me to be sharing in the launch of this
historic process as you seek to prepare a Development Platform which
will provide a framework of development options to support effective
participation and integration of developing countries into the global
economy.
I extend to you all, on behalf of the Most Honourable P.J. Patterson,
Prime Minister and the people of Jamaica, a very warm welcome to our
country and I hope that your sojourn will be a pleasant, productive and
memorable one.
The convening of this meeting is of immense importance as it represents
not only a realization of the decision taken at the recently concluded
Second South Summit but its outcome will seek to chart a new course for
our Group in the face of the prevailing international realities.
This meeting is also being
held at a critical juncture - on the eve of the High-Level Plenary
of the General Assembly, in September 2005, when we will undertake
the mid-term review of the implementation of the outcomes of the Second
South Summit. As you are all aware, this process includes the preparation
of a Platform for the South and is therefore, the raison d’etre
for your presence here in Kingston over the next two days.
I pay special tribute to the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC), the South Centre and the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation
within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the keen interest
that they have shown in this process and for the invaluable financial
and technical assistance provided which have all combined to make this
meeting a reality.
A Platform for the
South – Beginnings
You
will recall that the Prebisch Report entitled “ Towards
a New Trade Policy for Development” together with the outcome of
the First United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD
I) formed the basis of the first Platform of the South which the newly
born Group of 77 adopted as its own.
This was a manifestation of the need for collective action by developing
countries to overcome marginalization; to advance new values and principles
of democratization and multilateralism; to bring change in an inequitable
system born out of the colonial and imperialist era; and to promote a
global development strategy that takes account of the interests of developing
countries and their peoples.
Since the Group’s formation
in the 1960s, the international environment has changed significantly.
The gap between the rich and the poor, the developed and the developing
has widened and global policy making in relation to finance, trade
and technology continue to work against the interest of countries of
the South.
The G77 is well placed to meet and overcome these challenges as the
underlying policy rationale which inspired the formation of the Group
has essentially remained unchanged. It has remained steadfast as a coalition
keeping focus on the needs and interests of developing countries, it
has enhanced the negotiating capacity of the South and has played a pivotal
role in promoting an international agenda which takes account of the
vital interests of the developing world.
Current
Realities
The elaboration of a Platform
for the South to take into account current realities is, therefore
timely. It will strengthen the Group’s
capacity to address the prevailing challenges and provide a framework
for enhanced collective action, thereby creating the means for improving
the lives and welfare of the peoples of the South.
We need to be mindful that the process will only begin here in Kingston.
The Platform for the South should be seen as a dynamic, evolving instrument
which should be subjected to a continuing process of review in order
to maintain the relevance and integrity of our Group in the years to
come.
Let me further emphasize that the Platform must be translated into
policy action and must impact positively on the lives of our peoples
for it to be truly operational.
As Chair of the Group, Jamaica will do its utmost to ensure that the
elaboration of a Platform for the South becomes a reality.
The task ahead of you is a significant one and I am optimistic that
the fruits of your labour will have a treasured place when the history
of the G77 is written.
I thank you.
This Report served
as the main background document for UNCTAD I, held in Geneva in 1964 |
