U.N. chief applauds G20 for development initiative

 

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was “encouraged” by the G20 Seoul Summit’s unprecedented push for members to support under-developed nations.

“I am very much encouraged by the fact that the G20 Seoul Summit has discussed for the first time in G20 history development agenda,” Ban said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Saturday, a day after the curtain fell on the Seoul summit.

The Group of 20 had in Seoul adopted the development agenda for the first time to address the gap between nations on either side of the wealth spectrum.

 

Some critics noted a lack of substantial discussions as no specific goals or deadlines were adopted, but Ban said development issues were not sidelined when considering that they were vying against financial and monetary issues.

“We should appreciate how difficult this process has been, over the issue of currency wars and the framework guidelines over trade imbalances. Those were quite thorny issues,” Ban said. “If not properly addressed, they might have hijacked the whole Seoul process.”

The leaders of the world’s most powerful and emerging economies were unable to set specific goals or deadlines on development aid, but they agreed to mandate a high-level panel to monitor the implementation of a multi-year action plan for promoting balanced growth.

President Lee Myung-bak had proposed tackling economic polarization as one of the two main agenda items for this round of G20 talks hosted by Seoul, citing South Korea’s own status as an emerging country.

The G20, however, cannot single-handedly fight poverty, Ban emphasized.

“The U.N. and the G20 are in a mutually complementary relationship. It is not in any way competing relationship,” he said.

The G20 leaders also recognized the nature of the relationship, saying its pledges on development issues complement their separate commitment to “achieve the Millennium Development Goals” set out by the U.N. for assisting less-advanced counterparts.

Ban’s remarks come as speculation mounts that the U.N. is growing anxious about the fast-paced growth of the G20, now cited as a “premier forum on economies issues” despite its short age span.

As a gentle reminder of the role and strength of the U.N., Ban underscored that without endorsement from a bigger international body such as the U.N., the G20 lacks legitimacy.

“All these (G20) decisions will have to be mutually reinforcing to what the U.N. has been taking as the most universal international organization with legitimacy,” he said.

Ban pointed out that the International Monetary Fund, which has agreed to represent more developing nations, is a member of the U.N. family.

In short, not one single country or group of countries can take on and tackle global challenges alone, he said.

“One very important theme of the G20 was internationally coordinated measures,” Ban said.

The U.N. secretary general also addressed the calls for him to assume a more active approach on human rights abuse.

Ban had come under fire by human rights groups for failing to speak up on China’s imprisonment of Liu Xiaobo, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner.

“I have been discussing in a public debate and private discussions with the Chinese leadership and Chinese public. I have emphasized the importance of human rights and urged the Chinese government to give more political space to civil communities, and uphold human rights corresponding to human rights standards,” he said.

On the possibility of his bid for a second term, Ban tried to distance himself from the matter.

“That is up to member states to determine. If I continue to work faithfully to fulfill the three pillars of the U.N. charter, I believe or I hope I will be able to get positive recognition. But after all, it is up to the member states to determine,” he said.

His term expires next December.

Ban was sworn in as the eighth secretary general of the U.N. in December 2006.

The former South Korean foreign minister took over the U.N. as it was fraught with calls for reform over scandals and management lapses.

“I believe there is almost a consensus that the U.N. Security Council should be expanded,” the U.N. chief said.

The council comprises just five permanent members. A total of 10 other non-permanent members hold two-year terms.

Ban noted that the General Assembly has seen an accelerated pace in the talks for reforms of late, saying negotiations have reached a point where only the modalities are waiting to be clinched.

He declined to comment on calls or recommendations from other heads of state on which nations should be invited to become new permanent members of the Security Council.

 

 

Source: The Korea Herald