This book presents the key debates that took place during the Achieving Sustainable Development and Promoting Development Cooperation 2008 high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council, at which ECOSOC organized its first biennial Development Achieving Cooperation Forum. The discussions also revolved around the Sustainable Development theme of the second Annual Ministerial Review, “Implementing and Promoting the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to sustainable development”. Development Cooperation Dialogues at the Economic and Social Council Published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs United Nations Cover design by Graphic Design, Outreach Division, DPI Printed by the Publishing Section, DGACM ISBN 978-92-1-104587-1 Sales No. E.08.II.A.11 08-45773—December 2008—2,105 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination Achieving Sustainable Development and Promoting Development Cooperation Dialogues at the Economic and Social Council United Nations New York, 2008 ii NOTE United Nations Publications ISBN: 978-92-1-104587-1 Sales No. E.08.II.A.11 Copyright © United Nations 2008 All rights reserved UN Photos/ Kevin Bubriski/ Eskinder Debebe/ John Isaac/ Fred Noy/ Martine Perret/ Evan Schneider/ P Sudhakaran For further information please contact: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination 1 United Nations Plaza, Room DC1-1428 New York, N.Y. 10017, USA. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Achieving Sustainable Development and Promoting Development Cooperation– Dialogues at the ECOSOC iii DESA The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat is a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and national action. The Department works in three main interlinked areas: (i) it compiles, generates and analyses a wide range of economic, social and environmental data and information on which States Members of the United Nations draw to review common problems and to take stock of policy options; (ii) it facilitates the negotiations of Member States in many intergovernmental bodies on joint courses of action to address ongoing or emerging global challenges; and (iii) it advises interested Governments on the ways and means of translating policy frameworks developed in United Nations conferences and summits into programmes at the country level and, through technical assistance, helps build national capabilities. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This book has been prepared by the Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination, Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations. The Secretary- General’s report to the Annual Ministerial Review of the High-level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on “Implementing the Internationally Agreed Goals and Commitments in Regard to Sustainable Development” and the Ministerial Declaration of the ECOSOC High-level Segment are attached as annexes. The book also draws upon the debates and outcomes of the Council’s session as well as on a series of roundtables organized in preparation for the session. The roundtables and panels were sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP), UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA), Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues (OSAGI), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Bank, and the World Trade Organization (WTO). v CONTENTS Glossary of Acronyms xii Preface 1 Introduction 3 1. Achieving Sustainable Development 9 Overview 9 Overcoming Global Obstacles to Achieve Development Goals 11 Mr. Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General United Nations Delivered by Mr. Sha Zukang Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs United Nations Reaffirming Development Priorities: Uniting to Combat Obstacles to Progress 14 H.E. Mr. Léo Mérorès President of the Economic and Social Council United Nations Battling Climate Change by Promoting Environmentally Sustainable Development 17 Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri Chairman, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Director-General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Towards a Global Deal on Climate Change 23 Lord Stern of Brentford Author of the Stern Review 2. High-Level Policy Dialogue on Current Developments in the World Economy and International Economic Cooperation 31 Overview 31 Living in a Time of Insecurity and Enormous Challenges 35 Mr. Sha Zukang Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs United Nations A Call for Concerted Action to Address the Unprecedented Confluence of Several Crises 38 Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi Secretary-General United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Urgency of Completing the Doha Round more Acute than Ever 43 Ms. Valentine Rugwabiza Deputy Director-General vi Contents World Trade Organization Current Economic Developments and the Outlook for the Global Economy 46 Mr. Murilo Portugal Deputy Managing Director International Monetary Fund Global Economic Outlook and Implications for Developing Countries 49 Mr. Justin Lin Chief Economist and Senior Vice President The World Bank 3. The Development Cooperation Forum 55 Overview 55 A - 2008 Development Cooperation Forum 57 The DCF Brings Inclusiveness and Accountability to Aid Implementation 57 H.E. Mr. Léo Mérorès President of the Economic and Social Council United Nations Ensuring Appropriate and Effective Distribution of Aid 60 Mr. Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General United Nations Reevaluating Aid Implementation Approaches to Realize Global Development Goals 63 Mr. Louis Michel European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid The Changing Landscape and Dynamics of International Development Cooperation 68 H.E. Mr. Trevor Manuel Minister of Finance, The Republic of South Africa Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Doha Review Improving Aid Effectiveness in the New Landscape of Development Cooperation 72 Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi Secretary-General United Nations Conference on Trade and Development B - Official Summary of the ECOSOC President 75 C - High-Level Roundtables 78 Roundtable 1: Allocating More Aid: Where Should It Go? 78 Roundtable 2: South-South and Triangular Development Cooperation 81 Roundtable 3: How are Civil Society and New Actors enhancing Impact at the Country Level? 84 Achieving Sustainable Development and Promoting Development Cooperation– Dialogues at the ECOSOC vii Roundtable 4: Are Country-Level Capacities Adequate for the Task of Increasing Aid Absorption? 86 Roundtable 5: How can Development Aid support National Development Strategies? 89 Roundtable 6: Aid Effectiveness Agenda: Towards Consensus at Accra and Doha 91 D – Secretary-General’s analytical background report 94 E - Preparing for the 2008 Development Cooperation Forum 96 Launch of the Forum (July 2007) 96 Vienna High-level Symposium (April 2007) 97 Cairo High-level Symposium (January 2008) 99 Rome Stakeholder Forum (June 2008) 101 4. 2008 Annual Ministerial Review National Voluntary Presentations 105 Overview 105 Belgium 107 H.E. Mr. Charles Michel Minister of Development Cooperation Chile 110 H.E. Mrs. Paula Quintana Minister of National Planning and Cooperation Finland 114 H.E. Mr. Paavo Väyrynen Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kazakhstan 117 H.E. Mr. Nurlan Danenov Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lao People’s Democratic Republic 119 H.E. Mr. Bounkeut Sangsomsak Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Luxembourg 120 H.E. Mr Jean-Louis Schiltz Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs United Kingdom 122 Mr. Andrew Steer Director General, Policy Research, Department for International Development United Republic of Tanzania 125 H.E. Mr. Peter Msola Minister of Science, Technology and ICT viii Contents 5. Opportunities and Solutions to the Global Food Crisis: Addressing the Needs of Small Farmers 129 Overview 129 Malawi’s Efforts in Harnessing Increased Agricultural Production for Sustainable Food Security and Socio-Economic Development 131 H.E. Mr. Frank T. Mwenifumbo, MP. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Republic of Malawi How to Assist the Small-Scale Farmer 135 Mr. Robert Watson Director of the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural affairs Director for Strategic Development of the Tyndall Center, University of East Anglia Building Empowering Value Chains: Integrating Small Holders into the New Opportunities in Agriculture 139 Mr. Steven Schonberger Lead Operations Officer in Agriculture