12:03 PM May 13, 1996
UNCTAD-IX: NGOS DISAPPOINTED OVER SUBSTANCE
Midrand 11 May (TWN) -- Non-Governmental Organizations who were participating and following the UNCTAD conference here have expressed disappointment that "no new initiatives to combat poverty and promote sustainable development came out of UNCTAD IX". In a final statement on the outcome, the NGOs welcomed the clear recognition at UNCTAD-IX that marginalization is inherent in the process of globalization and liberalization and the renewed mandate for UNCTAD that this implies. They also welcomed the increased focus on LDCs in UNCTAD's work, the strengthened mandate on investment frameworks and the openness towards civil society and expanded role of NGOs and looked forward to participate more in the work of UNCTAD. However the NGOs were disappointed with issues of substance and noted that * commodity policies were further weakened and UNCTAD's mandate in the area has been eroded, * that there is increased reluctance to improve the preference schemes and a growing interest in imposing conditionalities, * there is fierce resistance to agree to new aid targets or even to implement the old ones, even though the importance of ODA has been emphasized, and there has been a significant decline in real terms of ODA, * there are no new hopes for developing countries crippled by the debt burden, * the promised compensation for net-food importers and the LDCs against negative effects of the Uruguay Round have still not been put into effect, * there are no new initiatives on technology transfer to the poorest countries to counteract the costs of imposing intellectual property rights, and * the need to discuss and reach prior consensus on the new trade issues at UNCTAD before taking action in the WTO is still not properly recognized. "Global responsibility and international cooperation are declining at this crucial time when the challenges are greater than ever," the NGO statement concluded.