Summary: May 20, 2001: EU succeeds in promoting market access in favor of least developed countries (Brussels)
At the conclusion of the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, the international community for the first time ever adopted the objective of duty-free and quota-free market access for all products originating in the LDCs. This agreement responds to a key objective for the EU for the Conference, which it hosted in Brussels this week. The EU had campaigned strongly to achieve an international agreement to improve market access in favor of the 49 least developed
countries at the Conference. This decision will expand the impact of the "Everything but Arms" initiative, already implemented by the EU, as other developed countries will take action in the same direction. The Conference also achieved international support for other EU initiatives in support for LDCs development efforts.
The Conference adopted today (20 May) a Programme of Action for the decade 2001-2010 to help least developed countries (LDCs). The Programme of Action envisages concrete actions by LDCs and development partners to reduce poverty and to promote sustainable development in the LDCs.
President Romano Prodi, in expressing satisfaction at the success of the Conference, said: "I am happy to see that the appeal I launched in my opening statement to fight unilateralism, protectionism and short-term national calculations has been heard."
In assessing the results of the Conference, Commissioner Nielson said: "We have been able to secure an international consensus on the appropriate policy mix that would allow us to build a stronger partnership to fight poverty in the LDCs: good governance, conflict prevention, national ownership by LDCs of development processes and better donor coordination".
Commissioner Lamy praised the successful outcome of the Conference, which will expand the opportunities for trade based growth of LDCs by further improved market access and easing their participation in the multilateral trading system. These developments should be followed up and enforced in the context of multilateral trade negotiations in the WTO, which should be initiated at the next WTO Ministerial Conference.
In the Programme of Action for LDCs, governments have agreed to a number of concrete actions to be taken by LDCs, other developing countries and developed countries including in the field of good governance, respect for human rights and conflict prevention. A number of these pick up recent EU initiatives and include measures to address supply side constraints, increased support for the Integrated Framework for trade-related technical assistance and a programme for accelerating LDCs accessions
to the WTO. The Programme of Action also agrees to increase access to medicines and vaccines for communicable diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria) and urges the pharmaceutical industry to join in the effort. The Conference also recognised the crucial role of national development frameworks such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, which are elaborated and implemented under the full ownership of LDCs with the involvement of civil society.
The Conference saw the active participation of civil society. NGOs have been granted full access to the Conference events, except, as established by UN Regulations, to the negotiations. A number of EU member states included in their official delegations NGO representatives who acted as useful bridges with the NGO Forum.
Background
In 1997 the UN General Assembly decided to convene the 3rd UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to reverse the deterioration in their socio-economic situation and to revitalize their growth and development. The EU has offered to host the Conference in Brussels from 14 to 20 May 2001 in the premises of the European Parliament. It was the first time that the European Union hosts a major UN Conference.
Preparations for the Conference took place at country and regional level, as well as at the global level. The country meetings have led to the formulation of country-specific programmes of action for each LDC. The Commission participates actively in all the preparatory activities. Furthermore, EC delegations in LDCs have contributed to the formulation of country-specific programmes of action for each LDC as a basis for establishing the global programme of action to be adopted at the Conference.
EC delegations in ACP countries have supported financially the national preparation processes.
The Commission financed the bulk of the additional costs arising from holding the Conference in Brussels. This included funding the organization of an NGO Forum. Accordingly, the Commission allocated € 6 Million on the general budget for 2001 to fund these costs. On this basis, an agreement was signed with the UN for a subvention of € 4,5 Million to support the UN Conference secretariat in logistical, financial and administrative matters.
In a move intended to create a positive momentum in view of the Conference, the Commission had adopted a package of measures setting out a European contribution for concrete and practical outcomes of the Conference. The package includes the following elements:
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