At the 45th General Assembly on December 21, a U.S. spokesman said the United States joined the consensus in adopting the IDS as an expression of the U.S. desire for global harmony and support for the aspirations of the developing countries. However, the United States was concerned about elements in the text, and went on to make the following points: Debt is only one aspect of the economic and financial problems faced by many developing countries. External debt problems of developing countries require a growth-oriented approach which addresses overall economic and financial problems. The approach must be pursued on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the particular circumstances of each country. The most important step in addressing debt problems is the adoption of appropriate domestic economic policies. - Debt issues are appropriately handled in the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Paris Club. It is important not to impinge on the independence or the mandates of international financial institutions and other multilateral forums. Accordingly, the United States cannot support calls in the IDS for specific action by the Paris Club or creditor governments, or for debt relief by international financial institutions. - In keeping with the above position, the United States would not envisage an active role for the Secretary General on debt issues. With regard to the paragraph on the environment, the IDS lacks balance in tenor and language. All countries share responsibility for protection and management of the global environment. Language in the IDS places blame for all pollution at the feet of developed countries, diverting attention from actions in many cases, cost-saving actions-that all countries, developing and developed alike, must take to control pollution and protect the environment. - Global stewardship in protecting the environment requires commitment; such commitments require financial and technical assistance. However, the United States does not agree that financial resources additional to overall development assistance levels will have to be provided. Funds currently going to projects which do not contribute to sustainable development could be reprogrammed and made available to environmentally sound activities. Finally, the IDS is unbalanced regarding the responsibilities of the developing countries for their own development. This tendency in the text conveys a tone characteristic of previous, failed strategies. Also characteristic of previous, failed strategies is the setting of targeted, numerical goals for economic growth, agricultural production, aid transfers and industrialization. In joining consensus on the IDS, the United States does not commit itself to these arbitrary goals, nor does it support increases in international organization budgets beyond zero real growth. International Debt Problems of Developing Countries The United States was able to join in consensus on a General Assembly resolution on the international debt crisis and development on December 21 for the first time in 3 years. (Resolution 45/214.) Achieving consensus on this resolution reflected the evolving nature of international debt strategy. On the one hand, debtor countries are more willing to recognize their responsibility to implement market-oriented economic reforms and to adopt sound fiscal and monetary policies. On the other, creditor countries have been more willing to consider reductions in the stock of debt and debt servicing costs. The resolution addressed a major U.S. concern by giving more emphasis than in previous resolutions to the need for structural reform and economic policies conducive to growth in developing countries. Prior to adoption of the resolution, the U.S. Representative delivered a statement which stressed that addressing debt problems is only one aspect of the economic dilemma faced by many developing countries: developing countries must undertake market-oriented and other economic reforms if they wish to resume economic growth. The delegation underscored that the United States could not support initiatives aimed at forgiveness of debt owed to international financial institutions. The representative also drew attention to U.S. efforts to spur economic growth in Latin America through the "Enterprise for the Americas Initiative." Special Session Devoted to International Economic Cooperation and Development The 18th special session of the UN General Assembly, devoted to International Economic Cooperation and Development, was held from April 23 to May 1. It concluded with adoption of a final declaration, by consensus, which represented a significant step forward in international understanding about how to revitalize growth and development in developing countries. The document contained a strong reference to the need for developing countries to adopt efficient economic policies aimed at sustained noninflationary growth and encouragement of investment. In some respects the 18th special session represented a turning point at the United Nations on international economic issues. While many developing country statements stressed economic problems, the sociological impact of structural adjustment and the need for greater debt relief, a number of developing countries also emphasized the importance of an open competitive economy, a democratic system and the private sector in the development process. There were virtually no references in most of these statements to the statist approach embodied in the New International Economic Order, although developing countries continued to press for preferential treatment for their exports and transfers of technology. A number of East European countries focused on the need for transforming from centrally-planned to market-oriented economies. At the time of adoption, the U.S. Delegation made a statement clarifying its position on a number of issues addressed in the declaration. It drew attention to the highly effective international debt strategy and stressed the importance of not impinging on the independence of the Bretton Woods institutions in making recommendations on debt matters. The statement also emphasized that various recommendations on environmental matters did not imply a greater financial commitment by individual governments but rather suggested a general need for new and additional financial resources to solve environmental problems. Economic Commission for Europe The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), established in 1947, is one of five regional economic commissions which report to ECOSOC. It has 34 members—the 32 European members plus Canada and the United States. Other UN member countries take part, in a consultative capacity, when matters of particular concern to them are considered. Composed largely of developed nations, the ECE focuses on problems confronting modern industrialized societies. The ECE carries out its activities principally through 10 principal subsidiary bodies and 4 working parties. Areas of particular interest to the United States are the Commission's work in the five priority areas of trade facilitation, the environment, statistics, economic analysis and transport. The final act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) specifically accorded the ECE a number of responsibilities for multilateral activity in economics, transportation, science, technology and the environment. The concluding document of the follow-up meeting of representatives of participating states of the CSCE in 1983 reaffirmed the ECE's role as a forum for implementing CSCE "Basket II" provisions relating to energy, trade, air pollution and transport. The ECE's role was affirmed at the CSCE Bonn Conference on Economic Cooperation in April 1990. The Commission held its 45th session on April 18-27 in Geneva. Developments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union made it possible to pursue significant reform of the Commission's activities through creation of a special working group. The Commission was also charged with redefining the work of the principal subsidiary bodies, with a view to strengthening, merging or eliminating them. Subsequently, the previous 15 principal subsidiary bodies (PSBs) and 2 subsidiary bodies (SBS) reporting directly to the Commission were reorganized into 10 PSBS (the five priority sections plus committees on housing, agriculture, timber, energy and the Senior Advisors on Science and Technology) and 4 SBs (chemicals, steel, engineering and automation, and standardization). Former committees on coal, gas and electric power were converted into working parties and subordinated to the committee on energy. Bodies subordinate to working parties are to be phased out over the next 2 years, with sharp limits imposed on length and frequency of meetings. Other procedures were adopted to reduce paperwork and shorten meetings. The United States strongly supported this reform package, which is based on zero real budgetary growth and provides rules for redeployment of resources from nonpriority to priority sectors. Resolutions adopted at the 45th session approved the work program for 1990-1991, charged the Commission with seeking solutions to critical environmental and water problems, urged the promotion of the UN Rules for Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport (UN/EDIFACT), and requested governments to promote standardization. Other resolutions called upon the Commission's subsidiary bodies to promote sustainable development, cooperate on earthquake prediction, elaborate a text on international transport and identify areas for economic cooperation in the Mediterranean. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) was established in 1947. The United States was one of the original 10 members. At present, there are 38 members and 10 associate members including five members (France, Netherlands, U.S.S.R., United Kingdom and the United States) from outside the region. ESCAP's primary role is to serve member countries by identifying problems of social and economic development, providing a forum for debate on development issues, providing technical assistance and advisory services, and helping members attract outside assistance. ESCAP does not itself provide capital resources, but helps establish institutions to attract funds for regional and subregional projects which, in turn, supply development assistance. ESCAP is funded primarily by the UN regular budget. It also receives funding from other UN agencies, most notably UNDP, to which the United States is a major contributor. The United States from time to time participates in individual ESCAP programs of special interest by providing extrabudgetary contributions. Annual Commission sessions provide the main guidance on ESCAP's program and activities to the Secretariat. The 46th Commission session was held in Bangkok June 4-13. At that meeting, the Commission adopted seven resolutions and one "chairman's summary statement" covering the following issues: population activities; urbanization strategies; ESCAP priorities and operation; Second UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries; education for all; integration of women in all aspects of development; foreign investment in least developed countries; technical and economic cooperation among leastdeveloped, land-locked and island developing countries; and a chairman's summary on economic restructuring. All resolutions were adopted by consensus. Regarding ESCAP priorities and operations, the Commission decided that the 1992-1997 medium-term plan should give priority to nine subprograms: agriculture and rural development; environment; human resources development; industrial and technological development; international trade and development finance; population; social development; special programs for the least developed, land-locked and island developing countries; and transport and communications. Discussion at the 46th session centered on the need for more intensive regional economic cooperation. Delegations from the region expressed the view that given Europe's preoccupation with the EC single market as well as assisting Eastern Europe, and the perceived declining ability of the United States to serve as a source of assistance, ESCAP countries should attempt to derive the maximum possible benefit from regional economic cooperation, leaning on more prosperous economies of the region. During the discussion, the Secretariat proposed that an "ESCAP Council for Regional Economic Cooperation" be set up within the Commission's evolving organizational structure to supervise the activities of three task forces on trade and investment and technology transfer. Joined by Australia, Japan and Malaysia, the U.S. Delegate expressed concern over the possible budgetary cost of such a proposal as well as its potential for duplicating activities of existing organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APECO). It was agreed that the Secretariat would prepare a "chairman's summary" of the informal discussions on this topic. In the summary, member states called on the Secretariat to provide further details on the proposal and referred the matter to the "Group of Eminent Persons" (next paragraph) looking into overall restructuring of the Commission. On the issue of restructuring its subsidiary bodies, the Commission endorsed the present structure of the annual commission session but agreed that seven "legislative committees," each meeting once every 2 years, and various ad hoc conferences and intergovernmental meetings, had not been fully satisfactory. At the suggestion of the Executive Secretary, member states agreed to appoint a "Group of Eminent Persons," funded by extrabudgetary contributions, to review the conference structure and recommend modifications better suited to changing circumstances. The Group met in August and December 1990, and will report its conclusions to the Executive Secretary for consideration at the 1991 annual session. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) held its 23rd plenary conference May 3-11. Statements at this meeting revealed a remarkable degree of consensus among member countries on the need for market-based domestic economic reforms. Delegates also stressed the |