Globalization and Liberalization: Effects of International Economic Relations on Poverty - UNCTAD - 1996

Preface

This compendium is the product of an inter-agency seminar on Globalization and Liberalization: Effects of International Economic Relations on Poverty that was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 15 to 17 April 1996. The seminar was organized by the secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as an inter-agency contribution of the United Nations system to the 1996 International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. As indicated in the List of Participants at the end of the book, 28 representatives of 17 agencies and departments of the United Nations system participated in the seminar. In addition, eight independent experts were invited to participate in their individual capacity.

The 14 papers that comprise the present compendium were prepared by the 8 independent experts and by 6 agency participants possessing specialized knowledge on the subjects on which they wrote. These papers were presented during the panel discussions part of the inter-agency seminar. The immediate purpose of the panel discussions was to foster an exchange of views and information that would assist the agency participants formulate their conclusions and recommendations on the issues of the seminar. The other primary purpose for organizing the panel discussions was to elicit the preparation of papers that comprise the present compendium. Brief annotations on the papers and conclusions and recommendations contained in this compendium are presented in the introduction of the book.

The topic of the effects of globalization and liberalization on poverty is both timely and important. The rapid growth and liberalization of international trade, foreign direct investment and global financial flows are transforming international economic relations in ways that, inter alia, may significantly reduce absolute poverty in the world. For example, it is estimated that over 20 million additional manufacturing jobs have been created in the developing countries due to increased trade with the developed countries alone.

In conformity with the theory of comparative advantage, most of the exports of developing countries to developed countries have been in low-skill, low-wage products. With the continuing expansion of international trade and investment, it is hoped that this job-creating, poverty-reducing phenomenon will grow in importance in future years. It should be recognized, however, that not all developing countries will benefit alike. Indeed, the globalization process could reinforce the marginalization of least developed countries (LDCs) in the world, as well as of certain economically vulnerable population groups within the developing countries themselves.

The origins of the present compendium date back to July 1995. UNCTAD was then asked by Mr. Nitin Desai, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development who is responsible for coordinating all United Nations system contributions to the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty, to be the lead agency in organizing an inter-agency seminar on the effects of international economic relations on poverty. The conclusions and recommendations of the seminar were consequently presented to the International Year through the coordination segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council's substantive session, which in 1996 had as its theme the coordination of activities of the United Nations system for the eradication of poverty. The seminar proper was organized and chaired by Mr. Anthony Woodfield, of the UNCTAD secretariat, who also edited the present book. Mr. Woodfield was assisted in these tasks by Mr. Matti Vainio, Mr. Martin Mandl, Ms. Micheline Massabni and Ms. Janet Bullett of the UNCTAD secretariat.

In closing, I would like to thank the Government of Switzerland for funding both the printing of the present book and the participation of the eight independent experts at the seminar.

Rubens Ricupero

Secretary-General

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Geneva, September 1996

Last updated on 7 February 1997.

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