Summary report, 29 June – 1 July 2005

The High-level Segment of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) substantive session of 2005 took place from 29 June to 1 July 2005, at UN Headquarters in New York. The High-level Segment took as its theme, Achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, as well as implementing the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits: progress made, challenges and opportunities. The meeting was attended by two Heads of State or Government and more than two dozen government ministers, as well as many other high-levels officials and senior representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector.

The 2005 High-level Segment consisted of a number of plenary meetings, where delegates heard statements and engaged in general discussions on achieving the internationally-agreed development goals. Delegates also met for a policy dialogue on current developments in the world economy and international economic cooperation in the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), reviewed progress on implementing ECOSOCs 2003 Ministerial Declaration and its recommendations on rural development, and convened panel sessions on employment for growth and on the response of the UN Chief Executives Board of Coordination to the Millennium Declaration. A panel with the Chairs of the Commissions on the Status of Women, Social Development, and Population and Development also took place, and eight roundtables were held focused on development goals relating to poverty and hunger, health, partnerships and financing, human rights and institutions, national strategies, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.

The High-level Segment concluded without the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration, with ECOSOCs President noting in the closing plenary that negotiators did not appear to be ready at this stage to formalize commitments ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly High-level Plenary or 2005 World Summit which will take place in September 2005. This Summit aims to review progress made in implementing the UN Millennium Declaration and to renew political momentum for achieving the commitments set out in the Millennium Declaration and resulting from other UN conferences and summits. While ECOSOCs High-level Segment did not result in a Ministerial Declaration, a summary of the meeting will be prepared by the ECOSOC President as a contribution to preparations for the September Summit.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MILLENNIUM SUMMIT, OTHER UN CONFERENCES AND SUMMITS AND THEIR FOLLOW-UP

A key element of the United Nations strategy to address global economic, social and environment challenges since the early 1990s has been the hosting of UN conferences and summits. These events have resulted in the development of global plans of action to move the world towards a more sustainable future, and have addressed a broad development agenda encompassing poverty reduction, social development and environmental sustainability. The conferences of the 1990s addressed issues of children (1990), environment and development (1992), human rights (1993), small island developing States (1994), population and development (1994), disaster reduction (1994), social development (1995), women (1995), human settlements (1996) and food security (1996). These conferences and summits ushered in a period of heightened international commitment to poverty eradication and sustainable development.

In 1995, ECOSOC launched a major effort to coordinate the follow-up and implementation of these major UN events. The ECOSOC process aimed to support the implementation and review of the conferences by providing the basis for their substantive integration in the UN system, as well as maintaining the political visibility and profile of the issues that provided the thematic basis for each conference. The process also stressed that the effective follow-up to conferences is critical for implementing their goals.

MILLENNIUM SUMMIT: The UN Millennium Summit was held from 6-8 September 2000, in New York. At the Summit, world leaders agreed on a far-reaching plan to support global development objectives for the new century, and reaffirmed their commitment to work toward a world of peace and security for all, giving sustainable development and poverty eradication the highest priority. The Millennium Declaration, which was agreed at the Summit, outlined a clear set of responses to these challenges, and established concrete measures for judging performance through a set of interrelated commitments, goals and targets on development, governance, peace, security and human rights. The Declaration addressed issues relating to: fundamental values and principles; peace, security and disarmament; development and poverty eradication; the protection of the environment; human rights, democracy and good governance; the needs of the most vulnerable; the special needs of Africa; and the strengthening of the UN. The Declaration also made a strong commitment to eradicating poverty and securing sustainable development, and reaffirmed the UN as the accepted multilateral body for realizing the worlds aspirations for peace, cooperation and development.

Following the Millennium Summit, review conferences were held on the least developed countries (2001), children (2002), food (2002), sustainable development (2002), landlocked and transit developing countries (2003), population and development (2004), small island developing States (2005), disaster reduction (2005), social development (2005) and women (2005). New UN conferences were also held on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (2001), HIV/AIDS (2001), financing for development (2002), and the information society (2003).

FIFTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: At its fifty-eighth session, the General Assembly, in May 2004, adopted resolution 58/291 on the Follow-up to the Millennium Summit, in which it decided to convene in New York in 2005, at the commencement of its sixtieth session, a High-level Plenary Meeting of the Assembly with the participation of Heads of State and Government. The Assembly also decided that the High-level Plenary Meeting would undertake a comprehensive review of the progress made in the fulfillment of all the commitments contained in the Millennium Declaration, including the internationally-agreed development goals and the global partnership required for their achievement. The Assembly agreed that the High-level Plenary Meeting would review progress made in the integrated and coordinated implementation, at the national, regional and international levels, of the outcomes and commitments of the major UN Conferences and Summits in the economic, social and related fields, on the basis of a comprehensive report to be submitted by the Secretary-General.

FIFTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: In December 2004, the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session adopted resolution 59/145 on the Modalities, format and organization of the High-level Plenary Meeting of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly. In this resolution, the General Assembly decided that the High-level Plenary Meeting would take place on 14-16 September 2005. The Assembly also decided to hold a High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development from 27-28 June 2005 in New York, immediately prior to the ECOSOC 2005 High-level Segment, and to hold a separate meeting on Financing for Development within the framework of the High-level Plenary Meeting. The Assembly requested the President of the General Assembly, in consultation with representatives of non-governmental organizations, to organize informal interactive hearings in June 2005 in New York as an input to the preparatory process of the High-level Plenary Meeting.

Editors note: IISDs comprehensive introduction to UN conferences and summits and their follow-up is online at: http://enb.iisd.org/crs/ecosocprep1/sdvol104num2e.html.

PREPARATORY MEETING FOR ECOSOCS 2005 HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT: From 16-17 March 2005, a preparatory meeting for ECOSOCs 2005 High-level Segment took place at UN Headquarters in New York. The meeting focused on achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, as well as implementing the outcomes of the major UN Conferences and Summits. Roundtable discussions were held on eradication of poverty and hunger, education and literacy, health and mortality, global partnerships and financing development, gender equality and the empowerment of women, environmental sustainability, and implementation at the country level of the internationally-agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration; and how to advance recommendations on an MDG-based approach to poverty reduction (for more information on this meeting, visit: http://enb.iisd.org/crs/ecosocprep1/).

Other recent meetings of relevance to the ECOSOC High-level Segment include the Development Forum on integrating economic and social policies to achieve the UN development agenda (March 2005, visit: http://enb.iisd.org/crs/undc/), ECOSOC Special High-level Meeting with the Bretton Woods institutions, World Trade Organization and UN Conference on Trade and Development (April 2005, visit: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd/), and UN General Assembly High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development (June 2005, visit: http://enb.iisd.org/crs/ffddialogue/)

Several relevant reports were also released in the first half of 2005. These included the UN Secretary-Generals reports, Towards achieving internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration (UN document: E/2005/56), and, In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all, which addresses issues of development, security, human rights and UN reform (visit: http://www.un.org/largerfreedom/).

HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT REPORT

The High-level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) was held from 29 June to 1 July 2005. The Segment began on Wednesday morning, 29 June, with opening statements from invited speakers. These were followed by a policy dialogue on current developments in the world economy and international economic cooperation in the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Following this, eight roundtables were convened to consider development goals relating to poverty and hunger, health, partnerships and financing, human rights and institutions, national strategies, education and literacy, gender equality and environmental sustainability.

On 30 June and 1 July, statements on achieving the internationally-agreed development goals were delivered by two Heads of State or Government, 50 ministers and other high-level government officials, and 22 representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Delegates also reviewed progress on implementing ECOSOCs 2003 Ministerial Declaration, and convened panel sessions on employment for growth and the response of the UN Chief Executives Board of Coordination to the Millennium Declaration. A panel with the Chairs of the Commissions on the Status of Women, Social Development, and Population and Development also took place. The High-level Segment did not produce a Ministerial Declaration, although a Presidents summary of the meeting will be prepared by the ECOSOC President. This report summarizes these sessions, discussions and the meeting outcome as described above.

OPENING OF THE SESSION

ECOSOC President Munir Akram (Pakistan) opened ECOSOCs 2005 High-level Segment on Wednesday morning, 29 June, and delegates adopted the agenda (E/2005/100) and programme of work for the session (E/2005/L.9). President Akram highlighted the urgent need to address poverty and other development challenges in order to meet internationally-agreed development goals, and noted the input that key policymakers attending this meeting could provide.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told delegates that the upcoming UN High-level Plenary or 2005 World Summit in September 2005 offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to give a major boost to our efforts to reach the development goals. He expressed hope that others would follow the EUs lead by committing to increase official development assistance (ODA), and applauded the G8s debt relief deal. He said progress must be made simultaneously on three fronts development, security and human rights. He suggested that the September 2005 World Summit is an opportunity to strengthen ECOSOC, and drew attention to several proposals in his report, In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all (A/59/2005), including that ECOSOC hold annual ministerial-level implementation assessments and a biennial Development Cooperation Forum.

Delegates then heard keynote presentations on the theme voices against poverty. Joseph Stiglitz, Professor of Economics and Finance at Columbia University and winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics, identified three steps for advancing development. First, he said development concerns must be better integrated into the international trade regime. Secondly, he called for shifting risks of fluctuating exchange rates to developed countries and for global reserve reform. Finally, he urged recognition of environmental services performed by developing countries.

Highlighting the role of employment in achieving the MDGs, Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), stated that many people only need a fair chance and a decent job to escape poverty. Lamenting the global job crisis, he urged delegates to use ECOSOC as a forum to address it.

Antnio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, stated that international society still excludes refugees voices. Highlighting inclusiveness and access as keys to achieving the MDGs, he also identified the need for conflict prevention and long term post-conflict humanitarian assistance.

POLICY DIALOGUE ON CURRENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ACHIEVING THE MDGS

Late Wednesday morning, 29 June, a number of invited speakers engaged in a high-level policy dialogue on current developments in the world economy and international economic cooperation in the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

PRESENTATIONS: Jos Antonio Ocampo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, reported on the recent World Economic and Social Survey and urged ECOSOC to agree on the means to attain the economic growth necessary to achieve the MDGs.

Supachai Panitchpakdi, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), urged conclusion of the Doha Round by the end of 2005. He highlighted the cyclical nature of commodity export expansion, the effects of Chinas emergence in the global economy, and the potential adverse effects of the US trade deficit, as well as the impacts of subsidies and trade barriers.

Jean-Louis Sarbib, Senior Vice-President of the Human Development Network, World Bank Group, identified five steps towards achieving the MDGs: ensuring country ownership of development efforts; improving the environment for private sector-led economic growth; scaling up delivery of human services; dismantling trade barriers; and doubling aid.

Carlos Fortin, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), asserted the need for creating and implementing nationally-owned development strategies that accelerate investment and growth, and maintaining a balance between national policy and international commitments by all governments.

Reinhard Munzberg, Special Representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to the UN, highlighted problems such as the increasing volatility of oil markets that could potentially affect the global economic balance and achievement of the MDGs. Outlining the IMFs efforts to finance low income countries, he noted the importance of debt relief, debt sustainability analysis and the completion of the Doha Round.

DISCUSSION: President Akram invited comments and questions. Kenya said the debt problem must be addressed holistically, once-and-for-all. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) urged more investment in education to develop human capital, and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized health spending. Tanzania noted supply-side constraints to African exports. Responding to a question from the Russian Federation about medium-term economic risks, Joseph Stiglitz noted a growing consensus that the global economy may be at risk, and said some policies should be changed as a matter of urgency, including the serious imbalances in US macroeconomic policy. He added that capital market liberalization had not promoted growth in many countries, and should be re-examined.

Guatemala raised concerns about jobless growth and South Africa said multi-year policy planning in developing countries is not always matched by funding predictability from their partners.

ROUNDTABLE DIALOGUES

On Wednesday afternoon, 29 June, eight roundtable dialogues organized by various UN programmes and agencies convened to consider development goals related to poverty and hunger, health, partnerships and financing, human rights and institutions, national strategies, education and literacy, gender equality and environmental sustainability. Each roundtable included a number of presentations, followed by a discussion period.

POVERTY AND HUNGER: Grard Latortue, Prime Minister of Haiti, chaired this roundtable. Jacques Diouf, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), urged an approach that combines food aid with growth in agricultural productivity in order to attain the MDGs on poverty and hunger. Charlotte McClain-Nhalpo, South African Human Rights Commission/World Bank, emphasized the need to operationalize guidelines on the right to food. Armand De Decker, Minister of Development Cooperation of Belgium, called for an end to conflicts in many southern countries and stressed the need for accountability of countries receiving aid. Participants discussed issues such as: prioritizing agriculture and rural development in national policy; developing non-monetary indicators of poverty; creating policies for better food distribution; delivering food aid for those in immediate need; resolving infrastructural issues in agriculture and addressing international trade policies that affect agriculture and food security.

HEALTH: This roundtable was chaired by Carin Jmtin, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden, who stressed that countries are failing to achieve the development goals they have agreed. Eugne Camara, Minister of Planning, Guinea, emphasized reproductive health programmes. Thoraya Obaid, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), expressed concern about the absence of political will to address urgent health issues. Joy Phumaphi, WHO, emphasized the importance of physical, mental and social well being, and integration of development and health planning. Victor Mari Ortega, Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), called for a broad-based, multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS.

Several participants called for universal coverage and equitable access to health services and cheaper medications. Many agreed on the need to scale up and strengthen health systems. They also discussed, inter alia, how to prioritize between preventive and curative measures, nutrition as an essential part of achieving the MDGs, and the feminization of HIV/AIDS.

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AND FINANCING OF THE MDGS: Ishrat Hussain, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, chaired the session. Carlos Fortin, UNCTAD, said debt need not be harmful if it is sustainable. Stefano Manservisi, European Commission, highlighted the need for good governance and additional, effective ODA. Jos Luis Machinea, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), noted the difficulties most poor countries face in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). Eveline Herfkens, UN MDG Campaign, said most ODA is not focused on the poor or on low income countries, and opposed agriculture subsidies. Reinhard Munzberg, IMF, said countries should determine their own policies and resource allocation. Charles Raymond, Citigroup Foundation, outlined his Foundations work on micro-finance to support womens enterprises in developing countries. Melinda Kimble, UN Foundation, highlighted the need for innovative partnerships and engaging the private sector.

In the ensuing discussion, South Africa said it was not enough to focus only on what developing countries should do to encourage FDI, but on how others, such as their donor partners, could contribute to this issue.

HUMAN RIGHTS, GOVERNANCE, INSTITUTIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES: The roundtable on Building State Capacity to Meet the MDGs: Human Rights, Governance, Institutions and Human Resources was chaired by Tarja Halonen, President of Finland, who emphasized linkages between human rights and the MDGs. Peter Anyang Nyongo, Minister for Planning and National Development, Kenya, endorsed a developmental and democratic state, Mehr Khan Williams, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, called for non-discrimination, meaningful participation and accountability, and Rehman Sobhan, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh, highlighted the role of democratization and improving governance in achieving the MDGs. Participants called for: building individual capacity; civic education; multiculturalism; enhancing democracy and Rule of Law; and balancing between the productive and social sectors. They drew attention to the role of migrants, and to persons with disabilities, rural communities and other marginalized groups.

EDUCATION AND LITERACY: Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Ministers Department, Malaysia, chaired this roundtable emphasizing basic literacy, gender inclusiveness and good governance. Peter Smith, UNESCO, called for innovative approaches to education. Geeta Rao Gupta, International Center for Research on Women, lamented that the first MDG deadline on education had been missed. Magdi Mehani Amin, Community Development Consultant, Egypt, said collective action between policy makers, local communities and civil society is critical in achieving educational goals.

Participants discussed, inter alia, the role of technologies in achieving education goals, bringing the marginalized into the mainstream, enhancing gender equality in primary and secondary education, improving adult literacy, and encouraging investment in education.

GENDER EQUALITY: Nilofar Bakhtiar, Minister in Charge, Ministry of Women Development, Pakistan, opened the roundtable on gender equality and empowerment of women.  Marcela del Mar Suazo Laitano, Minister in Charge of the National Institute of Women, Honduras, highlighted a recently adopted constitutional declaration in Honduras that aimed to include women in decision making at all levels. Rachel Mayanja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Special Advisor on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, emphasized the need to create gender-sensitive local governance. Noeleen Heyzer, UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), called for upscaling existing strategies for womens empowerment. Debbie Budlender, Community Agency for Social Enquiry, South Africa, highlighted the Ugandan experience in creating local-level gender budgets. Participants discussed: country experiences in creating gender equality; implementing gender sensitive policies; achieving the MDGs in conflict areas; and using culture and religion for womens empowerment.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: The roundtable on environmental sustainability was chaired by Rogatien Biaou, Foreign Minister of Benin, who stressed that the MDGs, ecosystems and human well being are interconnected. Klaus Tpfer, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), stated that environmental protection is not just a luxury of the wealthy, and Brigitte Girardin, Minister for Cooperation, Development and French-Speaking Countries, France, identified environmental degradation as an obstacle to development. UN-HABITAT noted the need to make human settlements sustainable. Participants: called for the implementation of the Johannesburg Declaration; discussed the need for, and the possible role of, a UN Environment Organization; welcomed UN-HABITATs work on slums; drew attention to climate change and its impact on agricultural productivity; and discussed environmental services and mainstreaming environment into national policies. Solar Cookers International urged support for solar cookers as a quick win, low-cost sustainable technology.

NATIONAL STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE THE MDGS: Carmen Gallardo Hernandez, Permanent Representative of El Salvador, moderated this session. Sidi Ould Didi, Minister of Economic Affairs and Development of Mauritania, noted the need to mobilize political will and world opinion on the MDGs. Masood Ahmed, Department for International Development, UK, opposed imposing solutions on developing countries, and endorsed country-driven processes. He also suggested independent monitoring of implementation.

In the ensuing discussion, several speakers welcomed Masood Ahmeds comments. The European Community highlighted the need for more and better aid. The Dominican Republic focused on the formulation of strategies and systems for development, highlighting his countrys status as a middle-income country. The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) stressed that the large population and poverty levels in the Asia-Pacific region mean the region needs to receive more attention if the MDGs are to be achieved.

ACHIEVING INTERNATIONALLY-AGREED DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Throughout Thursday, 30 June, and Friday, 1 July, two Heads of State or Government, 50 ministers and other high-level government officials, and 22 representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations spoke on the theme of the High-level Segment, namely: Achieving internationally agreed development goals, including those in the Millennium Declaration, as well as implementing the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits: progress made, challenges and opportunities.

Many speakers drew attention to the upcoming UN General Assembly High-level Plenary or 2005 World Summit taking place in September 2005, noting that it represents a major opportunity to make progress on development goals. Some also spoke about the opportunities offered by the upcoming G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, and the World Trade Organizations Hong Kong Ministerial Meeting, as opportunities to make progress on debt relief and trade, and contribute to the achievement of the MDGs. Delegates also raised a wide range of other issues, including: the links between development, security and human rights; good governance, democracy and the Rule of Law; the need for sound domestic policies; countries primary responsibility for achieving the MDGs; the role and responsibilities of donor countries and agencies, including the need to increase and improve ODA; and other financing issues, such as debt relief and innovative sources of funding. The need for more policy coherence and greater coordination at all levels was also discussed, as was the role of ECOSOC. Many speakers also emphasized that the MDGs would not be met without increased political will and FDI in developing countries. The specific needs of various regions and groups, including the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific, least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries, and small island developing States, were also considered.

In his introductory statement on Thursday morning, Jos Antonio Ocampo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, urged delegates to use this ECOSOC session and the World Summit in September 2005 to advance the UN Development Agenda. He highlighted the Secretary-Generals recommendations for ECOSOC in his report, In larger freedom (A/59/2005), which includes proposals that ECOSOC: organize annual, ministerial-level assessments as part of a process to acquire a complete picture of the implementation of development goals; and hold timely meetings, as and when needed, to assess and promote coordinated action on threats to development.

KEYNOTE ADDRESSES: In her keynote address, Tarja Halonen, President of Finland, discussed the internationally-agreed development goals, noting that much remains to be done on issues such as infectious diseases, gender inequality, poverty and unemployment. She highlighted the need to reform globalization and the work of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. She noted linkages between development challenges and climate change, welcomed discussions on a UN environment organization and a Peace Building Commission, and said Security Council reform should not overshadow other issues.

Grard Latortue, Prime Minister of Haiti, recommended various actions, including creating an equitable international economic system, establishing technical schools, seeking new models for financing development, opening industrialized country markets to the South, and creating sustainable development projects.

GOVERNMENT STATEMENTS: Delano Franklyn, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Jamaica, speaking for the G-77/China, said implementation of development goals to date has been uneven and well below expectations. He proposed: making development the international communitys major priority; honoring ODA commitments and reducing conditionalities; coordinating efforts to remove systemic problems, for instance in the trade regime; and allowing developing countries the policy space to tailor strategies and policies to their needs.

Jean-Louis Schiltz, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Luxembourg, on behalf of the EU, highlighted the importance of attaining the MDGs within a framework of democracy, good governance and human rights. He noted that ECOSOC should provide policy guidance and an integrated analysis of the MDGs implementation, and facilitate bold action at the operational level. He stressed the need to increase the volume and quality of aid, use trade as a mechanism for development, and create innovative financing mechanisms.

Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister for National Development Planning of Indonesia, urged actions such as debt restructuring, South-South cooperation, and effective participation of developing countries in global decision making. Rafael Correa, Minister of Economy and Finance of Ecuador, noted the need for mechanisms such as an international debt tribunal, laws to protect indebted countries from the harsh conditions imposed by creditors, debt restructuring, and compensation for environmental services.

Brigitte Girardin, Minister for Cooperation, Development and French-Speaking Countries, France, said the primary responsibility for achieving the MDGs lies with developing countries. She highlighted increased ODA, debt cancellation and innovative sources for financing development as important means to achieve the MDGs, and noted the need for a UN environment organization and ECOSOC reform. Outlining his countrys actions to eradicate poverty and promote good governance, Hamadi Ould Meimou, Commissioner of Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation and Integration, Mauritania, said national ownership of the MDGs has been strengthened.

Armand De Decker, Minister for Development Cooperation of Belgium, proposed strengthening ECOSOC, closer ECOSOC cooperation with the UN Security Council, WTO and the Bretton Woods institutions, and a small ECOSOC committee for more frequent and targeted meetings. Bruce Billson, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, said East Asias experience illustrates the role of broad-based and sustainable economic growth in attaining the MDGs. Calling for political leadership to combat HIV/AIDS and address the stigma attached, he feared Asia could become the epidemics new center.

Rogatien Biaou, Foreign Minister of Benin, supported pressing ahead with the Brussels Programme of Action on Least Developed Countries, and examining the poverty reduction role of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification at the September 2005 World Summit. Peter Anyang Nyongo, Minister for Planning and National Development of Kenya, noted skepticism about reaching the MDGs in Africa, calling for the political will of African governments, and the goodwill of development partners. He highlighted the importance of democracy, Rule of Law, and wealth creation that improves incomes and creates employment.

Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Ministers Department of Malaysia, said all major stakeholders should be involved in the development agenda and decision making, and noted the risks of a volatile international economic environment and the implementation deficit with regard to financing for development. Edward Lowasa, Minister for Water and Livestock Development, Tanzania, outlined national implementation of the MDGs, highlighting progress in education, problems in the health sector due to HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and links between poverty and environmental degradation.

Eugne Camara, Minister of Planning, Guinea, emphasized the links between peace, human rights, security and development, and said Africa would need further support to meet the MDGs. Ezra Suruma, Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Uganda, underlined efforts to meet the MDGs, including Ugandas poverty eradication action plan and increased public expenditure in agriculture.

Helmut Angula, Director General of the National Planning Commission, Namibia, highlighted actions taken to achieve the MDGs, including a participatory poverty assessment exercise, and called for further development assistance. Jan Truszczynski, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, suggested strengthening the relationship between ECOSOC and the international finance and development institutions and giving special consideration to the needs of the LDCs and economies in transition.

Sorajak Kasemsuvan, Vice-Minister for the Prime Ministers Office of Thailand, called for combined multilateral efforts to make 2015 an historic landmark, and highlighted, inter alia, public-private partnerships, access to capital and land, and empowerment at the grassroots level. Stressing ECOSOCs role in advancing development, Jan Winkler, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Security Policy of the Czech Republic, underscored that the MDGs are achievable and that his country is giving the MDGs and African development a high priority.

Oskaras Jusys, Under Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, called for more ambitious national poverty reduction strategies that also strengthen good governance, democracy, human rights and the private sector. Serge Chappatte, Assistant Director-General, Head of Department, Development Policy and Multilateral Cooperation, Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advocated a human-centered approach to development activities, and emphasized the importance of education and health care.

Henri Raubenheimer, Director for Global Economic Organizations, Department of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, emphasized rural development, gender equality and environmental sustainability. Regarding implementation of the MDGs, he highlighted debt relief, timetables for the 0.7% of GNP for ODA target, trade, monitoring, and the UNs role.

Eduardo J. Sevilla Somoza, Permanent Representative of Nicaragua, urged creating sustainable national development plans more ambitious than the MDGs. Fekitamoeloa Utoikamanu, Permanent Representative of Tonga, highlighted the importance of the Mauritius Strategy for Small Island Developing States in achieving the MDGs.

Carlos Alvarado, Vice-Minister for Social Development of Venezuela, outlined his countrys progress in achieving the MDGs, highlighting its Social Mission strategies. Regarding financing, he said recipient countries should not accept conditionalities limiting sovereignty and their right to self-determination.

Emmanuel A. Ogunnaike, Director, Second UN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, said his countrys poverty reduction plans main objective is to achieve food security and emphasized the need for ODA increases, and finding a solution to the debt crisis. Hjlmar Hannesson, Permanent Representative of Iceland, recognized that the MDGs will not be met in LDCs, particularly in Africa, without an increase in ODA. He also highlighted the need to strengthen or improve health systems, FDI, gender equality, and access to energy, and referred to the impacts of climate change.

Alounko Kittikhoun, Permanent Representative of Laos, on behalf of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, noted slow and uneven progress on the MDGs between and within regions, and drew attention to the 2003 Almaty Programme of Action on the special needs of landlocked developing countries. Choi Young-jin, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea, noted the challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region in reaching the MDGs, highlighting issues such as health care and rural development.

Asim Arar, Head of Department of Multilateral Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkey, highlighted concerns over health, poverty and environmental hazards, and supported ECOSOCs role in providing policy guidance and a high-level development forum. Sichan Siv, US Representative to ECOSOC, noted multiple US initiatives in financing the MDGs and stressed the importance of developing appropriate national level institutions for private sector development and property rights.

Carmen Mara Gallardo Hernndez, Permanent Representative of El Salvador, emphasized the need to achieve the MDGs as part of a larger development agenda, and noted her countrys progress in implementing the education, health, gender and poverty related MDGs. Highlighting Egypts work on the MDGs, Maged Abdelfattah Abdelaziz, Permanent Representative of Egypt, noted the need to strengthen ECOSOCs role in coordinating international financial and monetary policies and harmonizing the role of UN agencies supporting countries emerging out of conflict.

Noting the need to mobilize domestic resources for development, Andrey Y. Denisov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, highlighted his countrys efforts, such as a new code for protecting labor rights, and ratification of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Yashar Aliyev, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan, noted his countrys policies and budgetary measures to eradicate poverty and improve living standards, and emphasized financial transparency, including the prudent spending of oil revenues.

Tens C. Kapoma, Permanent Representative of Zambia, outlined Zambias structural reforms and plans for private sector development, economic diversification and privatisation. He called for reducing aid conditionality and increasing the volume and quality of aid. Orlando Requeijo Gual, Permanent Representative of Cuba, identified neo-liberal policies, agricultural subsidies and military spending as causes of global inequality, and urged placing development at the center of the UN agenda.

Celestino Migliore, Permanent Observer of the Holy See, stressed the importance of debt relief, including implementing the G8s decision and extending it to highly indebted poor countries. He also identified the need to increase ODA and reform the trade regime. Armen Martirosyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia, underscored the need for: regional cooperation, in particular in resolving conflicts; substantial increases in ODA; and an adequate mechanism for the transfer of information and communication technology (ICT) to developing countries.

Regarding financing for development, Federico S. Duque Estrada Meyer, Minister Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of Brazil, supported: launching the International Finance Facility (IFF) and a pilot-project on vaccination; innovative finance initiatives, such as the proposed solidarity levy on airline tickets; and a resolution to facilitate and reduce the costs of remittances. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, said sustained achievement of the MDGs requires, inter alia: increased external finance; good governance at all levels; a free market trade regime; enhancement of labor mobility; and international assistance for regional natural disasters.

Aldo Mantovani, Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy, urged a true partnership between developed and developing countries, supporting, inter alia, the establishment of the IFF and its pilot project on vaccinations, and greater assistance for rural development and sub-Saharan Africa. Chem Widhya, Permanent Representative of Cambodia, reported on his countrys strategy for growth and employment and its focus on good governance, emphasizing that partnership between developed and developing countries is essential for achieving the MDGs.

Nirupam Sen, Permanent Representative of India, said the MDGs are important benchmarks for development, urged clear timetables and targets for debt relief, trade and technology transfer, and highlighted that employment, science and technology must also be considered to achieve the MDGs. Mourad Benmehidi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Algeria, highlighted the September World Summit as an opportunity to take stock on the implementation of the MDGs, said his country is likely to achieve the goals by 2015, and called for a new international solidarity.

Hamad Hareb Al-Habsi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates, said implementation of the MDGs requires coordination and a partnership between all countries, and called for economic policies that encourage employment and FDI that stimulates the private sector. Highlighting that development must be country-driven, Zhang Yishan, Deputy Permanent Representative of China, urged, inter alia: specific decisions and timetables on implementation of the MDGs; international macroeconomic policy coordination and coherence; innovative financing; and civil society participation.

Aleg Ivanou, Deputy Permanent Representative of Belarus, urged radically decisive measures at all levels with a coordinating role for ECOSOC to achieve the MDGs. He stressed greater assistance to poorer regions and mobilization of domestic resources. Giancarlo Soler, Deputy Permanent Representative of Panama, highlighted some of Panamas efforts toward achieving the MDGs, including a national council to fight corruption, a fiscal law to streamline public expenditure, and a national plan for a social protection system.

Kazuo Sunaga, Minister, Economic Section, Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN, urged actions such as: reducing poverty through economic growth; mobilizing resources from diverse sources; balancing development of rural and urban areas; enhancing ECOSOCs role in promoting coordination between development partners; and supporting conflict management. Fuad Al-Hinai, Permanent Representative of Oman, noted some of Omans efforts to achieve development, such as providing direct assistance to low income groups, achieving better education and improving maternal and child mortality.

STATEMENTS FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS: NGO/Civil Society Forum highlighted the need to strengthen ECOSOCs role in coordinating implementation of the MDGs, and emphasized the need for transparent, time-bound indicators for monitoring aid, tailoring MDGs to national circumstances, and mainstreaming the use of ICT in achieving the MDGs. Right To Energy SOS Future talked about energy development for alleviating poverty and the concept of a world organization for energy access.

The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) underscored the importance of achieving a private sector-led industrial transformation, and coherence in the work of UN agencies on economic development. Istanbul International Brotherhood and Solidarity Association reported on its initiatives, including its work on protecting children orphaned by the recent tsunami in Asia.

All Pakistan Womens Association reported on the adoption of the Islamabad Plan of Action at the International Conference on Gender Mainstreaming and the MDGs. Tunisian Mothers Association outlined the recommendations of the Tunis Declaration and Plan of Action to achieve an inclusive, people-centered, development-oriented and knowledgeable information society. World Information Transfer emphasized the need to prevent man-made catastrophes like Chernobyl and Bhopal, and Oasis Open City Foundation emphasized Portugals Agenda 21, saying it represents a new attitude toward local development as a collective initiative.

The UN Committee for Development Policy reported on the Committees seventh session in March 2005. He urged, inter alia, substantially improving the quality of ODA by strengthening administrative structures, capacity building, improving human capital and enhancing the monitoring framework.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), also speaking on the behalf of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), urged a focus on hunger reduction proposing a twin-track approach to provide immediate assistance for people in hunger hotspots, along with long-term programmes for increasing productivity in rural areas and agriculture. Cautioning that the MDGs will not be achieved in Africa, the Commonwealth Secretariat stressed the need for improved public finance management, more and better aid, improved governance, and development-friendly trade liberalization.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said that much of the progress in achieving the MDGs has been top down. He noted the Federations agenda to build a culture of prevention in local communities by minimizing the effects of natural disasters and achieving basic services, and the need to achieve the MDG goal on global partnership before other MDGs. The International Organization for Migration noted the direct link between poverty reduction and migration, and reported that more than US$100 billion is transferred annually in remittances.

IUCN World Conservation Union drew attention to the outputs of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, stressed that the MDGs are interconnected, and noted that achievement of MDG 7 on environmental sustainability is essential to meeting other MDGs. She proposed, inter alia: mainstreaming environmental sustainability into national development policies and increasing ODA significantly, committing a larger share to environmental sustainability. The Common Fund for Commodities said current commodity trading mechanisms do not benefit commodity-dependent developing countries. He expressed concern at market volatility, proposed a minimum price guarantee mechanism, and said commodities should feature prominently at the September World Summit.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference welcomed the Secretary-Generals report, In larger freedom, and urged further reform of the international financial system to minimize risks from global capital markets, including destabilizing capital flows. UNFPA said achievement of the MDGs must go hand-in-hand with the UN development agenda and cannot be achieved without increased attention to reducing population growth and improving reproductive health. She stressed unprecedented demographic challenges requiring a stronger, more coordinated policy response.

The International Telecommunications Union reported on the 2003 World Summit on the Information Society, welcomed the recognition of ICTs as an important tool in achieving the MDGs, and noted work on a digital solidarity fund. The Temple of Understanding, speaking on behalf of the 57^th UN Department of Public Information(DPI)/NGO Annual Conference, noted that civil society now has a better understanding of the MDGs and has affirmed its sustained involvement in achieving the MDGs.

The Foundation for Social Promotion of Culture outlined its activities on social and economic development in several Mediterranean countries, focusing on education, rural development, training, and promoting peace. Legio da Boa Vontade, a Latin American coalition, highlighted the role of education in achieving the MDGs, and stressed the need to combine economic and social values. The International Movement ATD Fourth World drew attention to the urgent need to eradicate poverty, said the hopes of the poor must not be overlooked, and called for genuine partnerships with key stakeholders.

PANEL ON EMPLOYMENT FOR GROWTH

Late Thursday morning, 30 June, delegates met in a panel session on employment for growth chaired by ECOSOC Vice-President Jaime Moncayo Garcia (Ecuador) and moderated by Ezra Suruma, Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Uganda, who said the September World Summits draft outcome document underscores the need to place employment at the center of economic and social policy.

Odile Quintin, Director-General for Employment and Social Policy, European Commission, highlighted the Lisbon Strategys focus on growth and jobs, proposing the use of a social model for employment and integration of employment issues within the MDGs. Jos Antonio Ocampo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, urged making employment a central objective of social and macroeconomic policies, and suggested broadening the Millennium Declarations youth employment initiative strategy to apply to everyone.

Jane Stewart, Deputy Director of the Employment Sector, ILO, expressed concern that recent strong economic growth in developing countries has not translated into employment growth. Highlighting concerns about underemployment and people working in the informal economy, she called for employment-intensive growth focused on sectors with high-labor intensity, such as construction and agriculture.

In the ensuing discussion, Venezuela argued that the capitalist model was failing, and supported a socialist approach and a policy of revolutionary change. Botswana noted the challenges faced by the physically handicapped, highlighting the workplace skills they offer.

Jos Antonio Ocampo concluded that the simultaneous occurrence of inadequate employment growth and strong economic growth suggests serious flaws in macroeconomic policies and said employment should be at the center of such policies.

MINISTERIAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE 2003 ECOSOC MINISTERIAL DECLARATION

On Thursday afternoon, 30 June, ECOSOC President Akram invited institutional perspectives on the 2003 ECOSOC Ministerial Declaration, which promotes an integrated approach to rural development. Patrizio Civili, Assistant Secretary-General, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), commented on collaboration between international food agencies and the extent to which new initiatives could be linked to the Declaration. Lennart Bge, President, IFAD, lamented the limited funding for agricultural research and the marginal role of rural development in poverty reduction strategy papers. Jim Morris, Executive Director, WFP, emphasized the Programmes efforts to achieve integrated rural development, such as building community resilience against natural shocks in Madagascar, training orphan children in managing farms in Kenya, and working to eliminate child hunger in many countries.

In the ensuing discussion, Madagascar highlighted rural development as vital for achieving the MDGs, said results have been mixed, and called for commitment and resources. Outlining various activities in his country he noted actions toward, inter alia, nationwide consultations, land security reforms, and targeting different regions. The Millennium Challenge Corporation explained that her organization is a new development agency that administers the Millennium Challenge Account. She noted the importance of broad-based economic growth, country ownership and accountability, and aid that complements sound national policies.

The European Commission outlined its activities in implementing the 2003 Ministerial Declaration, focusing on food security, commodity-dependent countries, participatory local planning and institutional development, access to land, and sustainable land management. He added that the Doha Rounds outcome should support rural development. Senegal outlined his countrys activities on rural development, including a decentralized rural development strategy. Highlighting the rural populations access to drinking water, health care and other services, he noted improvement in nutritional status and literacy. He urged assistance for Africas agricultural development and said an African green revolution is essential.

FAO said that the battle for reaching the MDGs would be won or lost in creating a vibrant rural space and emphasized the need to balance and harmonize the MDGs on poverty and hunger with that on environmental sustainability. The International Land Coalition said rural development is not sufficiently reflected in the draft September World Summit outcome document, and Lennart Bge, IFAD, noted that ECOSOC should integrate the challenges expressed in these discussions into the Summit outcome document.

PANEL ON THE RESPONSE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVEs BOARD TO THE MILLENNIUM DECLARATION

On Friday morning, 1 July, participants convened for a panel discussion on the response of the UN System Chief Executives Board (CEB) for Coordination to the Millennium Declaration. Patrizio Civili, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Interagency Affairs, DESA, introduced the report, One United Nations catalyst for progress and change: how the Millennium Declaration is changing the way the United Nations system works. He identified the need for better coordination and cooperation within the UN system to demonstrate that multilateralism works and can deliver.

Lennart Bge, President of IFAD and Chair of the High-level Committee on Programmes of the CEB for Coordination, emphasized the Millennium Declarations fundamental impact on the UN system. He identified changes needed in the UN system, especially deepening understanding and better managing knowledge; purposeful mobilization of resources and capacities; and increasing transparency and accountability.

Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), called for increasing coherence within the UN system to ensure that global action translates into country-level implementation. She stated that the UN must be accountable to people it serves both in terms of money spent and results achieved.

Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Assistant Secretary-General on Economic Development, DESA, drew attention to development challenges such as increasing inequality; conflicts; diseases; environmental degradation; slums; and unemployment. He said that to respond to these challenges, the UN development agendas implementation requires a system-wide, holistic approach with more policy coherence.

Drawing the session to a close, Lennart Bge urged Member States to continue the momentum on reform of the UN system.

PANEL OF COMMISSION CHAIRS ON THE 10-YEAR REVIEWS CONTRIBUTION TO THE 2005 WORLD SUMMIT

On Friday afternoon, 1 July, a panel of the Chairs of the Commissions on the Status of Women, Social Development, and Population and Development convened, with panelists discussing the Commissions 10-year reviews and their contribution to the UN General Assembly High-level Plenary or 2005 World Summit taking place in September 2005.

Carmen Mara Gallardo Hernndez (El Salvador), Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, briefed participants on the Commissions 10-year review, and reported on a High-level Roundtable held in February 2005, which looked at gender equality and the MDGs. She said gender equality should be a truly cross-cutting issue at the September World Summit.

Ernesto Aranbar Quiroga (Bolivia), Chair of the Commission for Social Development, informed delegates of the Commissions recent finding that the broad concept of social development, affirmed by world leaders in the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, has gradually become less comprehensive and significantly weakened in global policy making. While noting some positive developments, he expressed concerns over external debt, jobless economic growth, and the lack of an international strategy on employment and migration.

Crispin Grey-Johnson, Chair of the Commission on Population and Development, reported on the 10-year review of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, highlighting a variety of issues, including HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, migration, and the continued relevance of the Programme of Action adopted by the 1994 Conference for the broader UN development agenda that is now emerging.

The UK, on behalf of the EU, said ECOSOC should play a strong and central role in following up on UN conferences and summits on economic, social, environmental and related fields. Noting the UNs success in norm setting, he said it must now work on issues of implementation. He added that the September 2005 Summit should relaunch the MDGs so they can be achieved in the next 10 years.

The International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights (Interights) highlighted the need to recognize persons with disabilities in the outcome of the September World Summit. Carmen Mara Gallardo Hernndez reported that she is actively seeking to ensure that gender mainstreaming and the rights and needs of disabled women and the girl-child are reflected at the Summit.

In response to a question from Canada about maintaining political momentum, Crispin Grey-Johnson noted the role of these high-level events as part of maintaining the political will. Noting that this is an ongoing process, he suggested strengthening monitoring capacities to ensure that commitments are being honored. Responding to a comment from Canada about coordination with other functional commissions of ECOSOC, such as the Commission on Sustainable Development and Statistical Commission, Ernesto Aranbar Quiroga supported more systematic and frequent cooperation.

Reflecting on this panel discussion, Patrizio Civili, Assistant Secretary-General, DESA, affirmed that issues of coordination represent a challenge for DESA that the Department has a responsibility to address.

CLOSING OF THE HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT

On Friday evening, 1 July, ECOSOC President Munir Akram informed delegates that, while the usual procedure for a High-level Segment is to adopt a declaration, it had proven difficult to reach agreement at this meeting. He suggested that some delegations might be concerned that formulating an agreement now could be prejudicial to formulations that happen at the UN General Assembly High-level Plenary / World Summit in September 2005, and that it is not fair at this stage to force countries to take formal positions on some of the key issues. He added that such a declaration would in any case be unlikely to capture the breadth, depth and richness of the discussions and recommendations during the past three days. Instead of a declaration, he indicated that he intended to prepare a Presidents summary of the High-level Segment, which would serve as an input to the preparatory process for the September World Summit.

Reflecting on the meeting, he said delegates had experienced an intense and productive few days. In particular, he highlighted several key issues that had emerged, including recognition that:

• the MDGs, together with major outcomes of key UN conferences and summits, constitute a comprehensive development agenda for the international community;

• the main challenge we face now is not one of developing plans but of ensuring implementation of this development agenda;

• overall progress in the achievement of development goals has been uneven, both in terms of the goals and by region;

• there is a new spirit of shared responsibility that should be carried through into September, as demonstrated in the recent EU announcement on ODA and G8 decision on debt relief; and finally,

• ECOSOC has rediscovered its role as the central UN body for promoting economic and social development, and as the only forum where all key actors, governments, international agencies, civil society and business groups can come together and talk openly about achieving a common agenda.

Thanking participants, he said he expected that these deliberations would provide an important input into discussions at Septembers World Summit.

Jamaica, speaking for the G-77/China, thanked President Akram, his team and the Secretariat for their excellent work. She noted the rich exchange of views on matters of particular interest to developing countries, such as on trade, financing for development and sustainable development. She expressed the hope that these deliberations would contribute to enhancing understanding and a convergence of views on all these issues. She expressed the hope that the September World Summit would result in bold developments on issues such as innovative sources of financing, comprehensive debt relief, the 0.7% target for ODA, and expeditious completion of the Doha Round with a full realization of its development dimension.

The UK, speaking for the EU, regretted that it was not possible to agree on a ministerial declaration, while noting the rich exchange of views during the meeting.

President Akram thanked Jamaica and the UK for their comments, and closed the meeting at 7:05pm.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

2005 ECOSOC SUBSTANTIVE SESSION: The substantive Session of the UN Economic and Social Commission (ECOSOC) will follow the High-level Segment (29 June to 1 July). The substantive session will include: a Coordination Segment (5-7 July); an Operational Activities Segment (8-12 July); a Humanitarian Affairs Segment (13-18 July); a General Segment (18-25 July); and a concluding segment (26-27 July). For more information, contact: Sarbuland Khan, ECOSOC; tel: +1-212-963-4628; fax: +1-212-963-1712; e-mail: khan2@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/docs/ecosoc/meetings/2005/index.html 

G8 2005 SUMMIT: The 2005 G8 Summit will convene from 6-8 July 2005, at the Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland. Under the UK Presidency, the G8s deliberations will focus on Africa and climate change, among other topics. For more information, contact: British Prime Ministers Office; fax: +44-20-7925-0918; e-mail: http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page821.asp; Internet: http://www.g8.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1078995902703

HIGH-LEVEL BRAINSTORMING WORKSHOP FOR MEAS ON MAINSTREAMING ENVIRONMENT BEYOND MDG 7: Scheduled for 13-14 July 2005, in Nairobi, Kenya, this UNEP meeting will seek to feed into discussions on mainstreaming environmental issues beyond the seventh Millennium Development Goal on environmental sustainability. For more information, contact: UNEP Division of Environmental Conventions; tel: +254-20-623-494; fax: +254-20-624-300; e-mail: dec@unep.org; Internet: http://www.unep.org/dec/

58TH ANNUAL DPI/NGO CONFERENCE: Scheduled for 7-9 September 2005, in New York, this conference will focus on the review of the 2000 Millennium Declaration, the MDGs and UN reform. For more information, contact: DPI NGO Section; tel: +1-212-963-6842; fax: +1-212-963-6914; e-mail: dpingo@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/

HELSINKI CONFERENCE 2005 MOBILIZING POLITICAL WILL: Convening from 7-9 September 2005, in Helsinki, Finland, this conference represents the culmination of the Helsinki Process on Globalization and Democracy. For more information, contact: Helsinki Conference Secretariat; tel: +358-9-698-7024; fax: +358-9-612-7759; e-mail: secretariat@helsinkiprocess.fi; Internet: http://www.helsinkiconference.fi

GLOBAL DAY FOR MOBILIZATION: Organized by the Global Call to Action against Poverty, the Global Day for Mobilization will be celebrated on 10 September 2005, and will seek to mobilize citizens to pressure their leaders to tackle the causes of poverty and meet the MDGs. For more information, contact: GCAP; e-mail: info@whiteband.org; Internet: http://www.whiteband.org/

HIGH-LEVEL PLENARY MEETING OF THE 60TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE FOLLOW-UP TO THE OUTCOME OF THE MILLENNIUM SUMMIT: Also referred to as the 2005 World Summit, this meeting will take place from 14-16 September 2005, at UN headquarters in New York. The meeting is expected to undertake a comprehensive review of the progress made toward the commitments articulated in the UN Millennium Declaration. The event will also review progress made in the implementation of the outcomes and commitments of the major UN conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields. For more information, contact: Office of the President of the General Assembly; tel: +1-212-963-2486; fax: +1-212-963-3301; Internet: http://www.un.org/ga/59/hl60_plenarymeeting.html