Global Programme launches second phase: Belgium pledges support.

GENEVA, 8 October 2001

On behalf of Hon. Eddy Boutmans, Secretary of State for International Co-operation of Belgium, Ambassador Jacques Scavee, speaking at the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board this morning, pledged USD1million to the UNCTAD/UNDP Global Programme on Globalization, Liberalization and Sustainable Human Development. This contribution is to be spread over three years.

The Global Programme is a partnership between UNDP and UNCTAD aimed at assisting developing countries to manage their integration successfully into the global economy in a manner supportive of sustainable human development. It works closely with governments, NGOs, civil society, business leaders and academics.

The contribution of the Belgium Government is in addition to USD1million the Global Programme received from UNDP for its second phase. Italy will continue to support the Programme by providing a Junior Professional Officer.

The Programme's activities include country assessment studies examining the impact of globalization on sustainable human development, followed by national workshops to which policy-makers and stakeholders in civil society are invited. This inclusive policy ensures that there is a consensus on what needs to be done, and any action the programme recommends receives broad and credible support.

The timely success of the Programme has been recognised by the twenty countries that have asked to participate in its activities and the eight that already have. The countries that have already participated in the country assessment studies are Botswana, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Malawi, Nicaragua, Nepal and Zimbabwe. Their experiences will form the basis of a book on sustainable human development, that the programme will soon be publishing.

The countries that have requested to participate in the country assessment studies are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Benin, Belize, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, C te d'Ivoire, Cuba, Guyana, Jamaica, Jordan, Lesotho, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

In addition, the Programme will organise a number of activities through the various divisions of UNCTAD. This will include trade capacity building, global governance and best practices in technology transfer.

This is an official UNCTAD press release.

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© United Nations 2001