Address by H.E. Chief Arthur C.I. Mbanefo, MFR, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Nations and Chairman of the Group of 77, at Third Meeting of the Consultative Forum of the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries

New York, 21 July 2000

Madam Chairperson - Executive Secretary of the Third UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries,
Distinguished Members of the Consultative Forum,

It gives me great pleasure to address, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, this meeting of the Consultative Forum on the preparatory process for the Third UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries. I wish, at the outset, to assure all stakeholders in the Conference as well as the Conference secretariat of our steadfast support for a successful preparatory process for the Conference. We fully stand behind the efforts of the least developed countries and the international community to enable LDCs to overcome the structural constraints which they face and in their efforts to achieve a growth-oriented transformation of their economies.

The fact that the Intergovernmental Preparatory Process for the Conference is taking place here in New York places a special responsibility on the New York chapter of the G77. We will devote as much time and energy as required to ensure the success of the preparatory process here in New York. I wish, on this occasion, to associate myself with the statement made by my colleague H.E. Ambassador Ali Khorram of Iran, Chairman of the G77 in Geneva, at the Second Meeting of the Consultative Forum. On that occasion, he recalled that the Group of 77 has played a major role in the preparations for the first and second UN Conferences on LDCs and has fully supported LDCs positions during the negotiations in the Conferences themselves. Our Group will therefore spare no effort to ensure that the Third Conference is a success and that it further cements the principle of shared responsibility and strengthened partnership for growth and development of LDCs.

The Group of 77 notes with deep concern that the retrogression in the economic and social performance of the majority of the least developed countries deepened in the 1990s. In a world economy being increasingly shaped by globalization and liberalization, the LDCs continue to be marginalized from the mainstream of the global economy and international trading system. They have been bypassed by FDI flows, their debt burden continues to remain high while external financial assistance provided to them further diminished despite the commitments undertaken by development partners in the Programme of Action for the LDCs for the 1990s. Thus the expectation, subsequent to the adoption of the Programme of Action, of reversing the economic and social decline in LDCs and reactivating their growth and development process has failed to materialize. In this context, the Group of 77 would like to draw attention to the fact that whilst LDCs have initiated bold, sweeping and painful economic and social reforms, their development partners as a whole have not lived up to their commitments in the Programme of Action in terms of providing requisite external support. The third UN Conference on the LDCs provides a unique opportunity for the international community to review in a comprehensive manner the results of the implementation of national and international actions contained in the Programme of Action and to formulate new national and international policies and measures for the sustainable development of LDCs and their progressive and beneficial integration into the world economy.

Madam Chairperson,

Let me recall here that in the Group of 77 South Summit, held in Havana, Cuba, in April 2000, our Heads of State and Government welcomed and fully supported the holding of the Third UN Conference on LDCs. They urged all countries, the international organizations, the Funds and Programmes and International Financial Institutions to effectively participate in the preparatory process for the Conference so that a meaningful outcome could be achieved for implementation.

The Heads of State and Governments expressed their concern that in the context of widening North-South gap, the social and economic conditions of the LDCs have been deteriorating. Noting the interdependence of nations and the varying levels of human order aimed at reversing the growing disparities between rich and poor, both among and within countries, through the promotion of growth with equity, the eradication of poverty, the expansion of productive employment and the promotion of gender equality and social integration. These are issues which will be at the centre of discussions during the preparatory process for the Conference and the Conference itself.

The Declaration adopted by the Summit highlighted the need for a new spirit of cooperation based on common but differential responsibilities between the developing and industrialized countries. It urged a search for a concrete mechanism to guarantee full and effective participation by the South in international decision-making, on an equal basis with developed countries. It also vigorously advocated the revitalization of the United Nations so that it can play its central role in world development issues.

The Havana Programme of Action covered four key subjects: globalization; knowledge and technology; South-South cooperation; and North-South relations. On globalization, it urged for improved market access for the exports of developing countries and the elimination of protectionist measures. It also provided for the free movement of natural persons, in which developing countries have comparative advantage in the global economy, and called for enhancing the role of multilateral institutions in addressing the economic and social development priorities of our countries.

Madam Chairperson,

The challenges facing the least developed countries are as substantial as the opportunities. There is a great need for imparting fresh thought and innovative ideas to identify approaches to face up to these challenges and maximize opportunities through our collective resolve. The forthcoming milestone intergovernmental events, namely, Millennium Summit of the General Assembly and the High-Level Event on Financing for Development provide important opportunities to broaden the consensus on some of the issues before the Conference.

Finally, we look forward to actively participate in the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee for the Conference next week. I hope that the Meeting will substantially advance the preparatory process for the Conference.

Thank you.