USUN PRESS RELEASE # 139  (02)
September 30, 2002

Statement by Ambassador Sichan Siv, United States Representative to the Economic and Social Council, in General Debate in the Second Committee of the General Assembly, September 30, 2002

Mr. Chairman,

The Doha, Monterrey and Johannesburg Conferences, as well as development goals in the Millennium Declaration, have changed the dialogue on development.  The Second Committee now faces the task of carrying forward the spirit of these pivotal events. 

The Monterrey Consensus broke new ground, as it focuses on approaches that actually promote development.  It emphasizes the importance of enabling national conditions - on outcomes rather than inputs - and the effective utilization of all available national resources, particularly private ones. They are the largest financial reservoir for development. 

As President Bush has articulated in his March 14 speech to the Inter- American Development Bank, the United States is committed to a development policy that "unleashes the potential of those who are poor, instead of locking them into a cycle of dependence. [It] looks beyond arbitrary inputs from the rich, and demands tangible outcomes for the poor."  The establishment of the "Millennium Challenge Account" at the eve of the Monterrey Conference is an example of our deep commitment to help those in need.  It is an affirmation of support to countries that demonstrate a commitment to good governance, to investing in their people, and promoting economic freedom.     

In Johannesburg, we built on the Doha and Monterrey meetings and turned our focus towards implementation of sustainable development.  We agreed to a comprehensive implementation plan that includes our best thinking on sustainable development.

While words are good, actions are better.  That is, perhaps, the most important message from Johannesburg.  The United States joined with several other governments, international organizations, businesses, and NGOs in launching over a dozen partnership initiatives.  They aimed at achieving concrete results.  They cover a wide range of issues, from water, energy, hunger, and forests, to key actions in health, housing, oceans, geographic information, and other areas.  In all, the Summit produced well over 200 partnership initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of the poor as well as the needs of our planet.

In this Second Committee, member states face the question of how best to support the outcomes of Doha, Monterrey, and Johannesburg in the most coherent and efficient way. 

The current agenda reflects the resolutions of recent years on similar or related issues.  Many items deal with key Doha, Monterrey, and Johannesburg issues.  They include poverty, environment, trade, financial flows, foreign direct investment (FDI), and debt.  But many of them are duplicative and repetitive.  As the Secretary-General said when he introduced the Reform Plan, the UN should review its activities "to make sure we are doing what matters, and not wasting time or money on out-of-date or irrelevant tasks.

This agenda is ripe for re-organization, streamlining, and consolidating around a limited number of key themes.  Most importantly, this approach, like the Monterrey process itself, allows time for member states to engage in in-depth consultations and deliberations before turning to formal negotiations. 

Additionally, in considering the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), the Second Committee should ask the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) to include an organizational session in its work program to discuss how the CSD can serve as a focal point for the discussion of partnerships.  The CSD’s new format might be centered on the “WEHAB” agenda – Water, Energy, Health, Agriculture, and Biodiversity -  put forward by Secretary-General Annan before the Summit.

Very important work awaits us.  Member states should rise to the challenge to maintain the momentum generated in Doha, Monterrey, and Johannesburg.  The U.S. delegation looks forward to working with all of you to bring new dynamism to the Committee's work.

Thank you.