21st Ministerial Session: Main Issues of Discussion
 

Adoption of the Agreement on International Roads in the Arab Mashreq (Agenda item 5)

The representative of the secretariat said that the Agreement on International Roads in the Arab Mashreq was the first agreement that had been negotiated and concluded under the auspices of ESCWA. As such, it represented a turning point in the work of the Commission and a practical step on the road to effective regional and interregional cooperation.

On 10 May 2001, at the twenty-first session of the Commission, ESCWA member countries unanimously adopted the Agreement in its amended form. It was signed by the following eight member countries: Egypt, Iraq (initialed), Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen (initialed).

The Secretary of the Commission announced that the Agreement would be open for signature between 10 May 2001 and 31 December 2002.

Invitation to States Members of the United Nations and/or of the specialized agencies not members of the Commission to participate in the capacity of observer in the twenty-first session of the Commission (Agenda item 6)

No requests to participate in the capacity of observer in the twenty-first session were received.

Consideration and adoption of the report of the Preparatory Committee on the activities of the Commission (Agenda item 7)

The report of the Preparatory Committee was adopted as submitted. Nine resolutions were also adopted.

The role of ESCWA in the coordination of regional activities (Agenda item 8)

The representative of the secretariat of ESCWA discussed some of the most important initiatives undertaken by the United Nations and ESCWA with a view to promoting regional cooperation between United Nations regional bodies.  He referred to the annual coordination meetings, which the United Nations recommends should be held in order to bring together the regional commissions and all United Nations funds, programmes and agencies and other institutions that carry out regional activities.  He noted that the secretariat of ESCWA had been the first of the five commissions to respond to that call by convening the first meeting of the Regional Inter-agency Coordination Group. That meeting considered the Group, which was established pursuant to a 1995 initiative of the secretariat, the most suitable forum and the most appropriate mechanism for the strengthening of regional cooperation. The Group has been redesignated the United Nations Regional Coordination Group.

It was reported that the Group held a number of meetings at which bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the regional organizations was reviewed and existing cooperation mechanisms were evaluated, together with ways of developing and institutionalizing such mechanisms. Discussions also touched on priorities and multidisciplinary subjects of common interest which could be more efficiently dealt with by the combined efforts of the United Nations system.

During the discussion, the following points were also raised:

1. Questions were asked regarding the role of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative and his links with the coordination activities undertaken by ESCWA, and regarding coordination between United Nations bodies and member countries, and his impact on such activities;

2. The representative of the secretariat responded that ESCWA was concerned with coordination at regional rather than country level and made every endeavour to become acquainted with the priorities and views of member countries when preparing its programme of work. There was a bilateral agreement between each of the five United Nations regional commissions and UNDP for the strengthening of mutual cooperation. At country level, there were a number of regional advisors who offered services to Members that could prove useful in carrying out a regional comparison that could be useful at country level and in rationalizing the use of available resources;

3. The Executive Secretary said that the aim of coordination was to avoid duplication and conserve financial resources. ESCWA was the regional arm of the United Nations in the area.

Efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in the ESCWA region (Agenda item 9)

Under this agenda item, the representative of WHO reviewed the relevant document (E/ESCWA/21/7). He noted that HIV/AIDS was a multidimensional health problem, and that the number of those carrying the virus throughout the world exceeded 34.3 million.  He said that the aim of the report was to review the status of the disease and the factors that affected its proliferation everywhere in the world, with particular emphasis on the ESCWA region. He dealt with the effect of HIV/AIDS on urban development and its negative impact on economic activities. Of particular significance was the fact that the virus is the main cause of death among young people. He referred to the re-emergence of tuberculosis, and the fact that AIDS victims are very susceptible to infection with tuberculosis because of the deficiency in their immune systems. He reviewed the situation in ESCWA and neighbouring countries, saying that there were some 220,000 cases of the virus in the region. With reference to the dynamics of the proliferation of HIV/AIDS, he said that efforts to combat the virus, as yet in their infancy, could enable the region to control and prevent the spread of the disease.

The representative also identified the most important features of a successful approach to the problem, which included the following;

1. The political leadership of each country must support endeavours to combat HIV/AIDS and dedicate some of its authority, capabilities and resources to that end;

2. Public awareness must be raised through the media;

3. The social sectors that are most at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS must be targeted;

4. Young people must be protected through the preparation and implementation of courses of instruction on means of guarding against the virus;

5. Every sector concerned, including the political, the religious, the media and the non-governmental sector, must be involved.

The deteriorating social situation affected the spread of the disease. While the most socio-economically deprived sectors were those most at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, the most vulnerable sectors varied from country to country according to occupation, social position, sexual practices and methods of drug abuse, geographical area and income.

With regard to the HIV/AIDS situation in the countries of the ESCWA region, the representative said that there was a huge discrepancy between the number of reported cases and the number of estimated cases, because of a widespread deficiency in the reporting of cases and monitoring in general.  He enumerated the ways in which the virus is most commonly transmitted in the countries of the ESCWA region, which include transfusions using infected blood, drug abuse and mother-foetus transfer. He commended the role of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, and said that the joint planning operation for combating HIV/AIDS was dependent on comprehensive regional measures being pursued, with the focus on the countries of the ESCWA region, in three fields. Those fields were protection from sexually-transmitted disease and treatment of those infected; the availability of care for HIV/AIDS victims, those infected with sexually-transmitted diseases and vulnerable sectors; and communication and information on HIV/AIDS.

The representative concluded his review by referring to methods of combating HIV/AIDS, some of the most important of which are the carrying out of practical studies; the formulation of national strategies; making use of global studies in the field of protection against the virus; expanding the number of protective options; employing new approaches that have proven effective, suitably adapted to suit the society and its culture and customs; focusing on the most vulnerable sectors; and action to change high-risk behaviour.

The Government of Saudi Arabia said that, under the Islamic shariah, it was committed to impose the death penalty on those who trafficked in or smuggled drugs. Such activity spread corruption, depravity and mental and physical degeneration, and was directly associated with the spread of dangerous diseases including HIV/AIDS. He therefore called upon the ESCWA countries to cooperate and exchange information and health and media expertise, with a view to restricting the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus and supporting endeavours aimed at finding appropriate remedies and protective vaccines. Such endeavours should be coordinated with the relevant parties, and it was to be hoped that ESCWA would be a centre for the exchange and dissemination of information and studies between its members, keeping them abreast of all the latest developments in the fight against this disease.

Selected issues of importance for the future of the ESCWA region (Agenda item 10)

Facilitation of international transport of goods in the ESCWA region

The representative of the secretariat summarized the study entitled “Facilitation of international transport of goods in the ESCWA region”. The six-part study gives a detailed description of the freight transport procedures used in five States and the outcome of an analysis, in addition to making recommendations.

He identified a number of the problems and the obstacles to freight transport operations, which include the high cost of procedures, the length of time required for the procedures and illegal practices.

He reviewed the recommendations made on the basis of the study, some of the most important of which are the following: procedures should be simplified and laws brought up to date; procedures should be clarified; unlawful practices should be eradicated; the labour force should be developed; data and information technology should be exchanged electronically; and institutional frameworks should be developed. He noted the need to establish national committees for the facilitation of transport which would bring together all the parties involved, both governmental and non-governmental, and have the authority to adopt and implement the recommendations in collaboration with the relevant parties.

During the discussion, the following matters were raised:

1. In reply to a request that, in view of the fact that developments and reforms had been carried out in some of the countries covered by the study, the dates on which the data contained in the report were collected should be specified, the representative of the secretariat said that with respect to most of the countries involved, the data had been collected at the end of 1999. The data on Egypt had been gathered in April 2000;

2. The question was raised as to the feasibility of publishing appendices containing all the data, and of those data being periodically updated and monitored by means of working papers, to be submitted to the Commission, on report-related work that had been carried out and improvements resulting from the adoption of study recommendations. In response, the representative of the secretariat said that the programme of work made no provision for the study to be updated. He therefore requested member countries to convey to the secretariat in writing the developments that had taken place in this sector. The Executive Secretary said that, in view of the importance of updating information and data in ESCWA publications in general, member countries could assist by assuring the provision of extrabudgetary resources;

3. A proposal was put forward concerning a follow-up mechanism in which ESCWA could participate. Such a mechanism could be instituted by establishing a committee for the facilitation of international transport which would have the necessary authority to be effective.  In response, the representative of the secretariat said that attempts were being made to form such a committee, along the lines of those that had been established in other regions. What was important was the existence of the political will to implement that suggestion;

4. In response to a concern that was raised with regard to the security factor and the reconciliation of that factor with efficient freight transport procedures, the representative of the secretariat said that there was no conflict between the facilitation of freight transport and security because technological developments, particularly with regard to x-ray screening, were able to guarantee that a high degree of security could be rapidly assured.

Strengthening expertise and networking in the field of foreign direct investment (FDI) in ESCWA member Countries:

The representative of the secretariat began his review by referring to the basic goal of FDI and the issue of the environment and trade, and the importance of those matters to ESCWA countries and the Commission’s programme of work. He discussed some of the most significant foreign investment-related problems, which included the absence of bodies for the collection of data on this type of investment and the lack of local ability to manipulate and analyse such data with a view to drawing-up the policies and strategies required.  He also referred to the factors that have led to the widening of the savings gap, which is measured by the difference between the savings capacity in the national economy and investment needs.

He concluded his review by stressing the need to mobilize extrabudgetary resources in order to enable the secretariat to provide the necessary support in this area. He also affirmed the need to coordinate the endeavours of Government and private sector institutions with a view to implementing the economic models under discussion.

There was a general discussion on FDI and reference was made to the huge diversity in the amounts of FDI made to the Arab countries and the need to improve data collection in this field. Further reference was made to the negative impact of Israeli policy on FDI and the weakness of strategies.

Sustainable development: the role of trade and environment

With respect to trade and environment, the representative of the secretariat said that the costs of environmental protection must be taken into consideration in the production process. Ways of exploiting the opportunities created by the environmental conditions imposed on exports were some of the most important of the issues under discussion.

The various export industries and, in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), would be most affected by the environmental constraints that would be imposed. It would be necessary to develop economic models that took into consideration the status of the production process in export industries and propose practical measures to cover the environmental cost while, at the same time, helping to find innovative solutions that could be applied in many ESCWA countries.

During the discussion, it was noted that taking environmental considerations into account could lead to improvements in the quality of exports and of agricultural exports in particular. The environment was therefore not a burden, but had the potential to support economic growth.

It was also noted that pressure was being brought to bear on developing countries to give priority to environmental issues. Given the huge cost of respecting such issues, which member countries were unable to bear, that priority would be bought at the expense of economic growth. Developing countries could not be compared with developed countries in this respect. The representative of the secretariat said that successful examples did exist of the opportunities created by the environmental constraints being exploited, and if member countries failed to respect environmental issues, they would lose the markets in which they enjoyed a relatively good position. Euro-Mediterranean Partnership funds had been allocated to cover environment-related costs, and assistance would also be available to support export industries and, in particular, SMEs.

Information technology and development

The representative of the secretariat began his intervention by referring to the pivotal role of information and communications technology, biotechnology and new materials technology. He also referred to the expansion of knowledge-based production sectors.

He discussed the opportunities offered by the acquisition of appropriate technology and reviewed the position of ESCWA region countries in that respect.

The representative of the secretariat reviewed the requirements for the successful acquisition of appropriate technology, which include the following:

1. Capacity-building in the field of research and development: language and culture;

2. The formulation of appropriate policies and strategies and promulgation of suitable legislation;

3. Building independent capacities, in the field of research and development in particular;

4. The necessary facilities for the assimilation and transfer of technology;

5. The involvement of Governments in awareness campaigns;

6. Guaranteed access of low-income groups to the benefits of the digital economy;

7. Cooperation with the private sector in expanding and modernizing the infrastructure;

8. Cooperation with the institutions of civil society in fields including awareness and education, promoting the participation of women and guaranteeing the access of disadvantaged groups to the benefits of the digital economy.

The representative referred to the part played by ESCWA in providing support for member countries in the technological field. Assistance had been given in the formulation of technology policies; a regional initiative had been launched for the building of technology parks; coordination activities had been undertaken with regard to electronic commerce; and field activities had been carried out in certain countries.

Much remained to be done with respect to the establishment of technology parks and nurseries and industrial units using high-level technologies and the stimulation of FDI and promotion of its role in the recruitment and development of technology.

The establishment of an ESCWA consultative council on scientific and technological development and innovation would promote cooperation and the exchange of expertise between member countries and the coordination of technology-related strategies, and stimulate essential training.

Social policy for sustainable development

The representative of the secretariat began his review of this item by referring to the recommendation made by the Committee on Social Development concerning the feasibility of the secretariat of ESCWA conducting a comprehensive survey on social policy in the Western Asia region. It was the secretariat’s intention to prepare an analytical study on the status of policies in various fields of social development. The study would be the equivalent of a survey of the current status of social policies in the region and would be conducted as part of an ambitious project entitled “Towards Integrated Social Development Policies in ESCWA Countries”.  He said that this project aimed to build a structure for social policies in the Commission’s member countries which would make it possible for those countries to exchange successful experiences and expertise. It would also help to achieve regional integration with regard to integrated social policies intended to attain sustainable and balanced socio-economic development. The project would be submitted to donor States and parties with a view to obtaining the extrabudgetary resources to fund its implementation in every Arab country.

He noted the number of activities undertaken as part of subprogramme 2 on improvement of the quality of life, and stressed the need to focus on specific high-priority fields that would serve a basic aim, rather than dissipating endeavours on a wide range of fields. It was suggested that the structure of ESCWA should be reviewed and the funds available for its activities allocated to best serve this priority. The Executive Secretary agreed with this view.

Mobilization of extrabudgetary resources (Agenda item 11)

Under this item, the representative of the secretariat reviewed document E/ESCWA/21/9, referring to two important aspects of the issue, namely, secretariat policy on the mobilization of extrabudgetary resources and the uses to which those resources were devoted.

She recalled ECWA resolution 45 (IV) of 28 April 1977 concerning the financial status of the Commission’s programmes and the strengthening of the Voluntary Fund, which invites member countries to determine the amount of their contributions to the Fund. She also recalled resolution 79 (VII) of 22 April 1980 on the strengthening of the Financial Contributions Account, which urges all member States to strengthen the Financial Contributions Account of ECWA so that the Commission may discharge its responsibilities vis-à-vis the growing needs of the member States.

The representative said that contributions to the Financial Contributions Account over the past 22 years had amounted to US$ 1.25 million.

The Governments of France and the Netherlands had made contributions that had been placed in the French Trust Fund and the Netherlands Trust Fund, but neither Fund had been replenished since 1991. The secretariat had also received extrabudgetary resources from certain other United Nations bodies and regional and international organizations, and she cited the most important of those donors.

The relocation in 1997 of the Commission from its temporary headquarters in Amman to its permanent headquarters in Beirut had been funded by four States, namely, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

In 1999 Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates agreed to honour the amount pledged to cover the cost of the ESCWA move by allocating resources to support ESCWA activities. This sum, a total of $1.3 million, was added to the Trust Fund for ESCWA Regional Activities.

In view of new funds being received by that Trust Fund, the Executive Secretary had established a committee which had set the conditions to be met by projects submitted by the relevant technical division for funding from the Trust. Those conditions were the following:

1. The project has a strong bearing on the Commission’s regular work programme;

2. The project is potentially beneficial to ESCWA member countries; 

3. The project aims to strengthen cooperation and coordination with other United Nations agencies and NGOs in the region;

4. The project has actual and/or potential co-sponsors;

5. Implementation of the projects should not interfere with implementation of activities financed by the regular budget.

At the end of 2000 the secretariat had resolved to finance, at an estimated cost of $204,495, the following three projects, which were implemented that same year:

1. Enhancing the ESCWA Role at the Doorstep of the Twenty-first Century;

2. The Future Role of Oil in the Economies of ESCWA Member States: Market Stability and the Implications of the World Trade Organization Agreements;

3. The Expert Panel on Information Technology and Development Priorities: Competing in a Knowledge-based Global Economy.

The representative of the secretariat concluded her review by referring to the following five projects, which the secretariat had decided to implement at a cost of $145,000:

1. Globalization, the economy and the contribution of Arab women;

2. Regional Human Development Report;

3. The Regional Symposium on Children;

4. The development of a database on an integrated transport system in the Arab Mashreq (ITSAM);

5. Strengthening the Arab family.

In the course of the discussion, the need was noted for the institutional and organizational re-structuring of ESCWA and the review of priorities. If ESCWA was to be able to perform more effectively, there was also a need for extrabudgetary resources to be increased, in view of the zero growth of the United Nations regular budget.