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Statement on NGO Access Problems at the UN Conference on Least Developed Countries - Gobal Policy Forum - NGOs Statement on NGO Access Problems at the UN Conference on Least Developed Countries
May 16, 2001
On the third day of this Third UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, the NGO Forum sadly takes note of the following:
1. Since the opening of the Conference, the relationship between the official Conference and the NGO Forum has not been what the UN had promised. Accredited NGOs have not been able to participate in the Cluster Group negotiations, as had been the case in the Social Summit of Copenhagen + 5 in Geneva. During the preparatory meetings for this Conference in New York, the marginalization of the civil society was denounced. The UNCTAD, at that time, made the promise that the Third UN Conference would be different: it would be democratic, transparent and offer the possibility for the full participation of the civil society.
2. Only four days remain before the closing of this Conference, and we do not perceive any significant progress. We would like to stress that this Conference will only be a success if real, tangible progress is made on some very crucial points, as stated in our "Policy Document" of May 12, 2001 and in our statement to the Plenary of the Conference on May 15, 2001. Among these, we would like to particularly stress the need for: complete and unconditional debt cancellation, preferential and non-reciprocal market access to the markets of the industrialized countries, and respect for previous international commitments concerning ODA.
It is clear that the success of this Conference depends fundamentally on its capacity to involve civil society in the negotiation process and in the elaboration of the Programme of Action, as well as in its implementation.
We demand that our positions be seriously considered in order that this Conference reflect the true and legitimate aspirations of the people.
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