Initiating a Global Council.

SHIFT FOCUS FROM DOMESTIC TO DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

Globalization has brought on winds of interrelated change, be it political, social or technological. As given markets are being globalized at a greater speed, the expectation is high for the United Nations to do even more for the poor who are adversely affected by new global changes.

To combat poverty in the new century, a global approach is a must and perhaps it is the only possible way that can effectively manage resources for the poor throughout the world. Each nation will surely face limitations in its response to the changing economic structure which is substantially and rapidly influenced by external forces.

The United Nations can step into the limelight and be at the forefront among international agencies that have concerns over the future of the international community and want to see greater peace and prosperity. From a global perspective, one may seek global action in efforts in tackling the world problems.

There are three fronts.

First, for the sake of world development, more cooperation is to be encouraged from key leading developed economies. This requires leading economies to shift their focus toward world development issues and less on domestic issues, though the former might not be politically attractive at all. Governments of those countries may have to be very far-sighted and receive fullest support from people who come to their realization on development needs at the global level.

Second is to campaign for collaborative works among developing economies which are going through, on their own, hardships exerted by the global changes. Developing nations are not materially wealthy enough to extend offers to their friends. These economies often times suffer from similar economic problems and income constraints, and many can get trapped in the crisis at the same time.

Third is to urge global institutions to go beyond their regular practices with coherent actions for the group as a whole. It is crucially challenging for these institutions to get together and work more closely, sharing more similar great ideas.

Although coherent actions can take at least three forms, the United Nations itself can have a leap forward and become a focal point in alleviating world poverty. For the past few decades, UN-affiliated agencies have accumulated extensive development experiences, both in terms of constructive ideas and fruitful practical activities. What we may expect next from the United Nations is a new way of putting great ideas and experiences into collaborative actions fielded from its related agencies, together with other global institutions. This will allow them to put an emphasis on concerted actions for a single set of policy targets, which serves as a catalyst for institutional arrangements.

As we foresee a vast pool of jobless individuals explained by the extensive adoption of new technologies, in information in particular, it is indeed an utmost challenge for us in easing off world unemployment. If it is anyone's belief that free trade will do the magic, i.e. with virtually no barriers in trade and investment, many good things, including employment, are coming in droves, well, think again. These days, technology, protectionism and imperfectly competitive markets, given the rigidities in local labour markets, all work against greater employment. The implication is that the spell of world unemployment will get aggravated over time. Alleviating joblessness is over and above UN capacity and ability to do single-handedly. The UN should opt for something different in its current framework of line offices. A global council should be initiated in the pursuit of peace, development, equality and justice for the world that is riding through waves of globalization. This holistic approach is strongly encour aged as it encompasses all key UN offices and other international organizations, with the view to greater participation and transparency for a better global community.

Hence, the creation of the Global Council for Employment, whose members, UN offices included, will come together and, through participative and coherent process, will formulate one single plan of action for income-generating employment. This will entail co-ordination of policies, both domestic and international, in terms of industries, agriculture, trade, human resources and finance in producing and executing such action plan. It is exactly this Council, spearheaded by the United Nations and executed collaboratively by UN agencies and other global institutions, that we, the world, expect in this millennium.

H.E. Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand.