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Background and Preparation of the
Financing for Development SummitThe International Conference on Financing for Development took place in Monterrey, Mexico in March 2002, to consider new approaches to domestic and international finance to promote more equitable global development. Throughout the process, the UN collaborated with an unusually wide range of parties, including governments, the IMF, the World Bank, the WTO, NGOs and business associations and corporations. Given very strong pressures to sustain the status quo, it remains to be seen whether the UN will be able to stimulate a new agenda on global economic issues and lead future FfD summits toward a more just and sustainable path of international development.
Also See GPF's Pages on:
Financing for Development | The Financing for Development Summit and its Follow-up
Fourth Prep-Com | Resumed Third Prep-Com | Third Prep-Com
Second Prep-Com | First Prep-Com | Background
GPF Roundtables
Global Policy Forum co-sponsored four roundtables on Financing for Development, titled "Corporate Investments: Towards Accountable Development", "The Future of Overseas Development Assistance", "Global Taxes for Global Priorities" and "Quo Vadis IMF ? A Reform Debate". Policy Papers presented at these roundtables may be found at their respective pages.
Fourth Preparatory Committee
(January 14-25, 2002)The Draft Text of the “Monterrey Consensus” (January 27, 2002)
The final and unedited version of the draft text of the “Monterrey Consensus” agreed at informal consultations during the fourth and final Preparatory Committee for Financing for Development. (United Nations)US Blocks Brown-Led Drive For Increase In Aid (January 23, 2002)
The US perceives the UN aid target of 0.7% as obsolete and presses for its abolition from the final declaration on Financing for Development. The US also argues that campaigns for public awareness of the targets would infringe on national sovereignty. (Guardian)Revised Draft Outcome (January 19, 2002)
The latest draft text of the Monterrey Consensus prepared by the Co-Chairpersons, with the assistance of the facilitator.Annan Urges Third World to Fight Corruption to Attract More Aid (January 15, 2002)
General Secretary Kofi Annan opens fourth session of the Financing for Development preparatory committee by stressing the need to fight against corruption, doubling of aid from rich countries and increased participation of developing countries in the global economy. (Agence France Press)Financing for Sustainable Development (January 2002)
This report consists of contributions from different policy institutes on sustainable development. They argue that the institutions involved in development processes face legitimacy problems and lack creative thinking. They also give suggestions for improving the preparatory work for development summits. (Regional and International Networking Group)Revised Draft Outcome Prepared by the Facilitator (December 7, 2001)
The new draft of the Facilitator's final outcome paper for the International Conference on Financing for Development. The paper, entitled “Challenges of Financing for Development: A Global Response”, provides the foundation for the final PrepCom Session 14-25 January 2002. (United Nations)The Policy Roots of Economic Crisis and Poverty (November 2001)
This paper presents the results of a joint World Bank and civil society review of the impact of Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) on poverty. The findings show how SAPs result in destruction of national productive capacity and intensification of poverty. (SAPRIN)Developing Countries and the New Financial Architecture (November 30, 2000)
This report evaluates the international financial system from the perspective of developing countries. It discusses measures for prevention of international financial crises and makes proposals for improving the financial architecture. (Institute for Development Studies)
Resumed Third Preparatory Committee
(October 15-19, 2001)UN Weighs Proposals for Global Taxes (September 2001)
In a Technical Note, the UN Secretary General debates proposals for an international air transport tax, a carbon tax, a currency transaction tax and other proposals. He gives estimates of potential revenue and highlights problems of enforcement. (UN Document)Draft Outcome from the Facilitator
This paper, prepared for the resumed Third Prep-Com and based on inputs from governments and other stakeholders, lays out what the goals should be for the FfD process in all six areas.Opening Statements to the Resumed Third Substantive Session of the Prep-Com on FfD
A selection of statements made at the Prep-Com by delegations, international organizations, and NGOs.Gender Audit of the Facilitator's Draft Outcome (October 15, 2001)
Although the draft outcome acknowledges the importance of promoting gender equality through development, the discussion on FfD could benefit from a greater focus on the ways policies and processes affect women. (UNIFEM)FfD Women's Consultation Briefing Papers
This series of advocacy tools presents the position of the FfD Women's Caucus on each one of the six themes: domestic resources, international resources, trade, ODA, debt, and systemic issues (inter-linkages).Summary of the Third Preparatory Committee (October 22, 2001)
The Third Preparatory meeting for the FfD conference ended on October 19th. Throughout the week developed and developing countries clashed with each other over questions of international responsibility, trade barriers, and globalization. Here is a full account of the proceedings. (Earth Negotiations Bulletin)
Third Preparatory Committee
(May 2 - 8, 2001)NGO Statement to the FfD III Prep-Com (May 7, 2001)
The ODA/CTT NGO Caucus urges that a UN study on FfD which includes an analysis on currency transactions taxes be undertaken immediately in order to make a meaningful contribution to the FfD process.Resolution Adopted at the Conclusion of the Third FfD Prep-Com (May 2001)
The Prep-Com resolution stresses that the FfD Summit in 2002 should involve the participation of all relevant actors, including the business sector and civil society.Gender Dimensions of the FfD Agenda (April 22, 2001)
In this UNIFEM background paper, Maria S. Floro highlights the gender dimensions of the six themes of the FfD. (UNIFEM)Compilation of Initiatives and Themes Submitted by Governments (April 17, 2001)
The initiatives and themes for the Third Prep-Com, submitted by 16 Delegations to the FfD Coordinating Secretariat.Working Paper from the Facilitator
This paper emphasizes the need to assume a holistic approach to FfD. With all relevant stakeholders included the facilitator claims that there is a unique opportunity to identify common concerns and make globalization work for all.Opening Statements to the Third Substantive Session of the Prep-Com on FfD
Opening statements by a number of Member State Delegations and the World Bank to the Third Prep-Com on Financing for Development.
Second Preparatory Committee
(February 12 - 23, 2001)
The Secretary-General's Financing for Development recommendations, in an "advance unedited version".Press Release for the Final Session, February 12-23, 2001
Organizational details of the International Conference on FfD. Mexico has been named as the official host of the 2002 event and will announce the timing and location of the conference during the next Prep-Com.Statements Delivered by Delegations and International Organizations during the Second Preparatory Committee on FfD
Cambodian Delegation Addresses the Committee
FfD may just be one step ahead a country that faces serious problems introducing 'good governance'. Ambassador Ouch Borith stresses Cambodia's "Triangle Strategy" as a fundamental step towards development.Swedish Delegation on Behalf of the EU Addresses the Committee
The EU sees the development of 'partnerships' between governmental, private and civil actors as an important step towards an alternative viewpoint on development. Finding and strengthening an established model of international co-operation is where the EU deposits its hopes.World Bank Addresses the Committee
Vice-President Mats Karlsson stresses how the Secretary General's report "is fully consistent with the principles underlying the comprehensive development frameworks that the World Bank is promoting." Maybe it is with this 'empathizing' tone that a 'real' international institutional layout can be established to converge a diverse set of developmental interests.UNDP Addresses the Committee
UNDP highlights the importance of FfD in extending the vision set out in the Millennium Summit Declaration. Decentralized decision-making processes, open access to markets for LDCs, and debt relief are overrall objectives the UNDP views as indispensable.US Addresses the Committee
"We are concearned that FfD process may be used as a vehicle for the UN to interfere in the governance and decision-making mechanisms of the Bretton Woods institutions and the WTO. Any such attempt, if made, will seriously undermine not only the credibility of those institutions but also the UN's work in development generally. We will oppose any such attempt." Click to read more.Group 77 and China Address the Committee
Finding a platform of collective international understanding with regard to establishing both adequate levels of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), and a 'fair' architecture for international finance are main policy areas to which the Group of 77 and China are focused.
First Preparatory Committee
(May 30 - June 2, 2000)Preparatory Committee for the High-Level International Intergovernmental Event on Financing for Development (June 5, 2000)
The General Assembly agreed by consensus to convene a "high-level intergovernmental event" in 2001, while the preparatory committee of the event adopted a provisional agenda for financing for development.Report of the Secretary General on the Preparations of the FfD Summit (July 31, 2000)
Unedited advance version. This report describes the job of the Secretariat in the preparatory process and the progress made.
Background
Chronology and Agenda-Setting of Events
This page provides a succinct chronology of the progress of deliberations and negotiations that precede and accompany the events.Proceedings at the Working Group on Financing for Development (February - June 1999)
On the 19th January 1999 the General Assembly set up an open-ended Working Group on FfD dealing with initial steps of the preparatory process. Click here to find documents and statements triggering the FfD initiative.General Assembly Resolution (January 19, 1999)
With this Resolution, the General Assembly created an Open-Ended Working Group on Financing for Development to prepare events leading to the FfD Summit.Proceedings at the Working Group on FfD (February - June 1999)
This index page contains chronological information on meetings, proceedings and panel discussions within the FfD Working Group.Statements Delivered by Non-Governmental Organizations to the Working Group (February-April 1999)
The Working Group took the unprecedented step of inviting NGO input into the preparatory process. This index page contains NGOs' statements made to the Working Group during these panel discussions and informal consultations.Report of the General Assembly Working Group on FfD (May 27, 1999)
This report relates to final conclusions of the FfD Working Group. Here you may find how this Working Group pronounced on what it thought the scope, form and agenda of the event should be like, and how it elaborated a preparatory process towards the High-Level event to be held in 2002.General Assembly Resolution (January 14, 2000)
Here is the official decision to convene a high level event on Financing for Development. This Resolution also established the Preparatory Committee for the event.First Report of the Bureau Regarding the Definition of Roles to be followed by Stakeholders (March 23, 2000)
Consultations of the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee with all relevant stakeholders (namely the IMF, World Bank, and UNCTAD) on the modalities of their participation, including the possibility of creating a joint task force, in both the substantive preparatory process and the high-level international event.Second Report of the Bureau Regarding the Definition of Roles to be followed by Stakeholders (May 30, 2000)
Consultations of the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee with all relevant stakeholders (namely the IMF, World Bank, and UNCTAD) on the modalities of their participation, including the possibility of creating a joint task force, in both the substantive preparatory process and the high-level international event.Support Provided by the UN Secretariat
"Over the years, the Secretariat has prepared background reports for the General Assembly on FfD." Here are the most recent reports divided by topics of enquiry, and an Index Report compiling results from a questionnaire distributed to diverse stakeholders.
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