Greetings from GPF,

On Monday, March 15, the Ad Hoc Working Group (WG) of the General Assembly on Financing for Development (FfD) held the first of a series of two informal sessions to hear input from civil society. Several weeks ago, Global Policy Forum had written a letter to the two Vice Chairpersons of the WG, eventually signed by a number of NGO partners, asking for "the fullest possible NGO participation." The outcome, which is unprecedented in the usually-closed Working Group process at the UN, allows for NGO input at the early stage in what will be a major world conference that will consider how to reform the global "financial architecture."

In the morning, a panel discussion in the Trusteeship Council Chamber included two business representatives -- from the Deutsche Bank and Lehman Brothers. On the NGO side there were two outstanding speakers: Marina Durano (Philippines) from the Center of Concern and Njoki Njoroge Njehu (Kenya) from the Fifty Years is Enough Coalition. There was a very good turnout for this event -- perhaps 150 or more delegates as well as another 50 or so NGOs and others. After initial presentations, there were many questions from the floor.

In the afternoon, the bureau invited ECOSOC accredited NGOs to a dialogue with delegates -- an opportunity to share views on the major issues. About ten NGOs made statements, a good showing in light of the last-minute announcement of the event. The session took place in a smaller conference room, but once again the turnout was good. The second session will take place on Friday, March 26th.

The FfD sessions, which bring business representatives into the process, set another and more ominous precedent. There is a lot of talk about the need to incorporate business representatives more fully into the work of the UN. We have already posted some materials on this issue, including the Secretary General's discussions with the International Chamber of Commerce. Our new postings this week include information on a proposal, being quietly developed by the United Nations Development Program, to build a new "partnership" with major transnational corporations. We have posted a link to a campaign by TRAC (Transnational Resource and Action Center) raising questions about this initiative. Included is a letter of concern to UNDP Administrator James Gustave Speth, signed by many NGO leaders. There is also a letter of response from Speth.

This past week, all twenty-two Commissioners of the European Union resigned -- some charged with corruption and nepotism. An article "This Institution Has Failed. For We, the People, Have Not Spoken Yet" is about the EU and the many problems surrounding the lack of efficacy and democratic processes in this nascent institution.

"Civil Society Statement on the WTO High Level Symposia" is a NGO proposal encouraging the WTO to reflect on the sustainability, equity, and human rights challenges confronting the global trading system.

We continue to follow the Security Council's work and issues surrounding Iraq and have added a link to a site on "Smart Sanctions." Also regarding sanctions are excerpts from statements by Dr. Sommaruga, President ICRC, and Carol Bellamy, Director of UNICEF, during the open Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.