REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE MEDIUM-TERM PLAN AND THE PROGRAMME BUDGET ON ITS FORTY-THIRD SESSION

GE.04-52531 TD United Nations Conference Trade Development Distr. GENERAL TD//WP/176 27 September 2004 Original: ENGLISH TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD Working Party Medium-term Plan Programme Budget Forty- session Geneva, 13–17 September 2004 Report Working Party Medium-term Plan Programme Budget forty- session Held Palais des Nations, Geneva, 13 17 September 2004 CONTENTS Chapter Page . Agreed conclusions decision adopted Working Party forty- session.................................................................................................. 2 II. Opening statements ............................................................................................... 6 III. Action Working Party ................................................................................ 11 II. Organizational matters .......................................................................................... 12 Annexes . Provisional agenda forty-fourth session Working Party ................. 13 II. Attendance............................................................................................................. 14 UNITED NATIONS TD//WP/176 Page 2 Chapter AGREED CONCLUSIONS AND DECISION ADOPTED BY THE WORKING PARTY AT ITS FORTY-THIRD SESSION . Review UNCTAD programme work biennium 2004–2005, light outcomes eleventh session Conference Agreed conclusions Working Party Medium-term Plan Programme Budget, considered implications outcomes UNCTAD XI UNCTAD work programme period 2004–2005, Emphasizing ã Paulo Consensus guide UNCTAD' work years , 1. Requests UNCTAD secretariat ensure ã Paulo Consensus Spirit ã Paulo integrated work programme UNCTAD biennium 2004-2005, account comments concerns raised regional coordinators member States reflected report Working Party forty- session; 2. Agrees adjustments contained annex conclusions. Annex 1. subprogrammes 1A, 1B, 2, 3 5, outcomes UNCTAD XI mandates emanating therefrom implemented existing work programme contained programme budget (/58/6) current biennium. 2. subprogramme 4, adjustments work programme, contained programme budget (/58/6): () 12.61()(ii), -recurrent publications “studies fields …”, “transport law” add phrase “including transport supply chain security”; () 12.61()(iii), add information material “Virtual Institute brochure (1)”; () 12.61()(), advisory services, add “ development university curricula UNCTAD issues; development teaching resources tools Virtual Institute network academic, training research institutions”; () 12.61()(iii), field projects, add “substantive inputs backstopping national/regional projects development Virtual Institute website, strengthening Virtual Institute network academic, training research institutions”. () 12.61()(ii), -recurrent publications, replace “-commerce international transport services” “ICT trade development” TD//WP/176 Page 3 () 12.61()(iv), technical material, add “-measurement web site (1), -tourism web site (1)” 164th plenary meeting 17 September 2004 . Review technical cooperation activities UNCTAD financing Draft decision consideration Trade Development Board Trade Development Board, 1. Takes note appreciation information report review technical cooperation activities UNCTAD (TD//WP/172 Add.1 2), requests secretariat improve presentation information allocation trust fund contributions regions thematic areas; 2. Takes note information secretariat implementation technical cooperation strategy adopted Trade Development Board fiftieth session October 2003 (decision 478()); 3. Expresses appreciation bilateral multilateral donors contributions UNCTAD trust funds, invites continue contributing UNCTAD respond increasing demand technical cooperation; 4. Expresses ensure equitable distribution resources developing country regions delivery technical cooperation; 5. improvement delivery technical cooperation LDCs, complies paragraph 5 annex decision 478 (), urges donors secretariat continue efforts, building relevant conclusions UNCTAD XI; 6. Reaffirms importance implementation technical cooperation strategy view enhancing delivery technical cooperation services UNCTAD, accordance decision 478 () ã Paulo Consensus; 7. Takes note conclusions recommendations secretariat contained document TD//WP/172; 8. Requests secretariat, cooperation donors beneficiaries, continue disseminating content technical cooperation strategy, information UNCTAD' operational activities instruments; 9. Requests secretariat implications UNCTAD XI strategy technical cooperation; TD//WP/176 Page 4 10. Takes note cooperation UNCTAD international regional organizations, development partners, including private sector civil society, UNCTAD technical cooperation activities, requests secretariat continue efforts regard, accordance paragraph 11 ã Paulo Consensus. 164th plenary meeting 17 September 2004 . Evaluation technical cooperation activities Conclusions 1. Follow- evaluation UNCTAD' Trade, Environment Development Programme Working Party Medium-term Plan Programme Budget, 1. Takes note steps secretariat response recommendations discussions UNCTAD’ programme technical cooperation capacity building activities Trade, Environment Development, report TD//WP/175; 2. Welcomes steps secretariat develop common strategy beneficiary countries, donors secretariat; notes satisfaction efforts improve communication strategy outreach, increased participation private sector programme; asks secretariat actively continue implement recommendations evaluation; 3. Requests secretariat evaluators member States informed follow- evaluation; 4. Expresses appreciation : () programme’ role strengthening developing countries’ capacities address trade environment issues key interest participate effectively WTO Work Programme trade environment issues; () programme’ cooperation WTO, UNEP intergovernmental institutions; () BioTrade Initiative, part evaluation; () secretariat’ efforts increase activities Africa, including context UNEP-UNCTAD Capacity Building Task Force Trade, Environment Development; 5. Notes continued funding secure continuation programme’ activities expansion geographical coverage include countries. TD//WP/176 Page 5 2. Evaluation plan Working Party Medium-term Plan Programme Budget, considered evaluation plan proposed secretariat, requests implement plan : () Training courses key issues international economic agenda – implementation paragraph 166 Bangkok Plan Action ( 2005); () Accession WTO ( 2006); () Investment advisory services ( 2007). 164th plenary meeting 17 September 2004 TD//WP/176 Page 6 Chapter II OPENING STATEMENTS 1. Deputy Secretary-General UNCTAD recalled translate action decisions contained Spirit ã Paulo ã Paulo Consensus. primary role Working Party process implications decisions Conference impact work programme organization. structure programme budget, subprogramme 5 needed retain title appeared medium-term plan title agreed Working Party context Strategic Framework 2006-2007. content programme budget, evolution increased simplification facilitate result-based budgeting. Document TD//WP/174 designed give Working Party clear indication impact outcome UNCTAD XI work programme. 2. technical cooperation, UNCTAD technical cooperation strategy reiterated general guidelines adopted UNCTAD Plan Action endorsed UNDP concept capacity development, entailed enhancing endogenous capacities developing countries design implementation home-grown trade development policies. Document TD//WP/172 presented significant examples UNCTAD' ongoing operations illustrated key components strategy. regard , report emphasized improve coherence UNCTAD technical cooperation, delivered approximately 300 individual projects. establishment thematic multi-donor multi-year trust funds, division secretariat, improve predictability sustainability resources. 3. Item 5, regard evaluation plan years, topics proposed: () 2005, training courses key issues international economic agenda (implementation paragraph 166 Bangkok Plan Action); () 2006, accession WTO; () 2007, investment advisory services. 4. representative Brazil, speaking behalf Group 77 China, stressed translate important concepts action subprogrammes. emphasis issues: () concept policy space; (ii) coherence identification policy options, issues relating development Africa; (iii) improvement supply capabilities developing countries, investment, security-related measures, formulation implementation national ICT policies strategies; (iv) monitoring assessment international trading system, elaboration development benchmarks, revitalization Global System Trade Preferences Developing Countries (GSTP) initiatives stimulate South-South trade, regional integration processes developing countries, TRIPS, commodities, environmental requirements, competition policy; (vi) special LDCs, landlocked developing countries small island developing States, problems challenges facing transit developing countries. welcomed completeness clarity actions undertaken UNCTAD follow- decisions adopted Conference, set document TD//WP/174, emphasized decisions adopted UNCTAD XI, TD//WP/176 Page 7 addition Bangkok Plan Action, essential instruments member States' continued commitment support UNCTAD fulfilling mandate. 5. underlined importance technical cooperation pillars UNCTAD’ work. technical cooperation strategy good framework UNCTAD' operations field, converged spirit mandates adopted UNCTAD XI, effective vehicle implementation outcomes Conference. fully supported emphasis enhancing developing countries' capacities formulate implement nationally rooted policies, thanked donors continued support. underlined basic objectives orient Working Party' debates: improve predictability sustainability UNCTAD' extrabudgetary resources; importance maximizing impact field UNCTAD' technical cooperation emphasizing thematic interregional approaches; continue give priority LDCs, landlocked countries small island developing States; making UNCTAD’ comparative advantage provide optimum capacity-building mix; recognizing UNCTAD country representation contribute specific national-level technical cooperation activities; recognizing importance quick responses emergent technical cooperation . Finally, expressed support beneficiary countries UNCTAD' ongoing efforts improve technical cooperation programmes, concurred proposed evaluation plan. 6. representative Pakistan, speaking behalf Asian Group China, pillars UNCTAD' mandate, comprising consensus building, research analysis, technical assistance, reaffirmed ã Paulo continued provide framework work organization. areas work proper timely delivery paramount included macroeconomic issues, policy space, coherence, debt management multilateral trading system, special transit developing countries. document prepared secretariat (TD//WP/174) solid basis integration ã Paulo Consensus work programme 2004-2005. 7. regard technical cooperation, UNCTAD provide optimum mix capacity building activities national, subregional, regional global levels trade development perspective. decisions UNCTAD XI integrated UNCTAD’ programme technical cooperation. important ensure predictable sustainable funding revisit technical cooperation strategy view ensuring consonance ã Paulo Consensus. reiterated Group' continued support evaluation technical cooperation programmes, note evaluation plan nature scope exercise. 8. representative Nigeria, speaking behalf African Group, , reviewing programme work 2004-2005 appropriately incorporate outcome UNCTAD XI, Working Party ensure important issues overlooked, policy space, regional initiatives, globalization, policy coherence financing development, required action, reports General Assembly. recalled UNCTAD pursue work insurance matters, domestic finance played important role development process; development financing, including TD//WP/176 Page 8 insurance, contributed 30 cent domestic savings, incorporated revised work programme. Subprogramme 1B resources, view linkage NEPAD. welcomed focus corporate social responsibility, foreign direct investment, commercial diplomacy, JITAP, WTO accession GSTP, endorsed meaningful work commodities. welcomed continuation activities ASYCUDA TRAINFORTRADE, coverage issues relating information telecommunications technologies transport/trade facilitation. , endorsed decision publish LDC Report annually, emphasizing provide additional resources purpose. 9. welcomed emphasis technical cooperation strategy Millennium Development Goals. longer-term perspective essential sustainable capacity development, huge demand shorter-term training courses, context ongoing international negotiations, important continue strike balance . called concerted effort additional trust fund contributions, expressed grave concern fact share Africa expenditures absolute relative terms declined 2000. urged Africa support UNCTAD secretariat, bear mind programmes interest continent seeking donor support. inherent tension desire demand-driven technical cooperation process priorities determined donor countries, strike balance. greater predictability sustainability extrabudgetary resources, secretariat’ proposal multi-donor multi- year trust funds required closer study. Finally, Group note report follow- evaluation programme trade, environment development, proposed evaluation plan. 10. representative Bolivia, speaking behalf Latin America Caribbean Group, Conference defined conceptual framework vision development impact translated concrete actions support developing countries, absolutely review work programme proposed 2004-2005 biennium basis outcome Conference. 11. regard technical cooperation, Group expressed concern decreasing trend share Latin America total technical cooperation expenditures. share region amounted 8.1 cent total expenditures 2003. Striking balance regions guiding principle technical cooperation. Technical cooperation activities closely linked main functions organization, research consensus building. Contributions multilateral donors UNDP bilateral donors trends years, important consequences design implementation technical assistance. Group considered development endogenous capacity beneficiary countries primary importance, connection noted satisfaction launching Virtual Institute Trade Development commended secretariat training courses activities aimed strengthening institutional capacity region. Activities put emphasis TD//WP/176 Page 9 national strategies respond conditions beneficiary countries. give priority major themes emerged Conference. 12. UNCTAD’ major comparative advantages lay systemic approach trade, investment related areas. Coherence, long-term vision multidisciplinary approaches main characteristics UNCTAD' technical cooperation. Present activities lacked cohesion resulted dispersion resources, contradiction principles set technical cooperation strategy. effectiveness technical cooperation activities depended greatly nature financial resources. Finally, Group stressed importance attached implementation paragraph 166 Bangkok Plan Action BIOTRADE Programme. 13. representative Netherlands, speaking behalf European Union, welcomed UNCTAD' efforts react swiftly conclusion UNCTAD XI attempt integrate Conference outcomes work remaining biennium 2004-2005. respect, secretariat' note contained document TD//WP174 valuable. European Union emphasized relevance focused approach set priorities relating intersection trade development, opportunities work fruitfully international organizations, avoid duplication work, necessity cost-effective. 14. representative United States America reiterated concern reservations regard concept policy space. underscored reference policy space ã Paulo Consensus contained chapeau, meant represented political statement action-oriented issue. emphasized issue carefully . 15. representative Benin, speaking behalf developed countries, recalled ã Paulo Consensus contained valuable decisions confirmed UNCTAD' solidarity vis-à-vis LDCs, Working Party LDCs’ special consideration ensure received attention deserved. , issues ensuring coherence, debt problems impeded development, assistance connection trade facilitation paramount guaranteeing adequate follow- outcome UNCTAD XI. 16. reiterated importance UNCTAD' work Global System Trade Preferences Developing Countries recalled LDCs participated negotiations. UNCTAD endeavour assist countries area future. developed countries supported UNCTAD' work commodities. 17. representative China issue policy space needed understood fully, UNCTAD serve forum discuss . fact reference issue ã Paulo Consensus demonstrated importance. technical cooperation, emphasized main pillars UNCTAD' work. 18. representative Cuba recalled ã Paulo Consensus contained number cross-cutting issues, including chapeau. considered policy space issue. TD//WP/176 Page 10 Informal meetings 19. Working Party pursued consideration agenda items 3,4 5 informal meetings. TD//WP/176 Page 11 Chapter III ACTION BY THE WORKING PARTY 20. (closing) 164th plenary meeting, 17 September 2004, Working Party approved draft agreed conclusions agenda item 3, draft decision agenda item 4 submission Trade Development Board fifty- session, draft agreed conclusions agenda item 5. ( adopted texts, chapter .) 21. Working Party approved provisional agenda forty-fourth session. ( provisional agenda, annex .) TD//WP/176 Page 12 Chapter IV ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS . Election officers (Agenda item 1) 22. 163rd plenary meeting, 13 September 2004, Working Party elected . Mariano Payá (Spain) Chairperson Ms. Preeti Saran (India) Vice- Chairperson-cum-Rapporteur. . Adoption agenda organization work (Agenda item 2) 23. meeting, Working Party adopted provisional agenda (TD//WP/171). agenda : 1. Election officers 2. Adoption agenda organization work 3. Review UNCTAD programme work biennium 2004–2005, light outcomes eleventh session Conference 4. Review technical cooperation activities UNCTAD financing 5. Evaluation technical cooperation activities 6. Provisional agenda forty-fourth session Working Party 7. business 8. Adoption report Working Party Trade Development Board . Provisional agenda forty-fourth session Working Party (Agenda item 6) 24. 164th (closing) plenary meeting, 17 September 2004, Working Party approved provisional agenda forty-fourth session ( annex ). . Adoption report Working Party Trade Development Board (Agenda item 8) 25. meeting, Working Party adopted draft report contained document TD//WP/.113 authorized completion report account proceedings closing plenary. TD//WP/176 Page 13 Annex PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE FORTY-FOURTH SESSION OF THE WORKING PARTY 1. Election officers 2. Adoption agenda organization work 3. Review work programme: Draft programme budget biennium 2006-2007 4. Provisional agenda forty- session Working Party 5. business 6. Adoption report Working Party Trade Development Board. TD//WP/176 Page 14 Annex II ATTENDANCE 1. States members UNCTAD, members Working Party, represented session: Belarus Benin China Cuba India Italy Japan Mexico Oman Pakistan Poland Russian Federation Senegal Spain Switzerland United States America Venezuela Zambia 2. States members UNCTAD, members Working Party, represented observers session: Algeria Bahrain Bolivia Brazil Canada Colombia Dominican Republic Egypt El Salvador Ethiopia Finland France Germany Greece Indonesia Iran (Islamic Republic ) Ireland Jordan Luxembourg Madagascar Malaysia Morocco Mauritius Nepal Nigeria Norway Netherlands Paraguay Philippines Portugal Republic Korea Rwanda South Africa Sudan Sri Lanka Trinidad Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uruguay Zimbabwe 3. observer represented session: Palestine 4. intergovernmental organizations represented session: African, Caribbean Pacific Group States European Community Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie TD//WP/176 Page 15 5. United Nations agencies related organizations represented session: International Trade Centre