Jordan Times
Friday, September 22, 2006
King launches G-11 initiative
NEW YORK (Agencies) — King Abdullah on Wednesday
opened here the first Lower-Middle Income Countries Summit, launching a
partnership between 11 countries to serve their interests and mobilise global
recognition and international support.
“Today we launch a partnership that can deliver tremendous benefits for the
people we serve — and make a positive impact for all nations,” King Abdullah
told the meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (see
the full text of his remarks).
King Abdullah spoke of a robust economic growth and poverty reduction in the
members of the group and warned that these achievements could be reversed if
international help does not arrive.
"We have all taken steps to build accountability and transparency, reinforce the
rule of law, and give people, especially young people, a stake in a prospering,
peaceful future," he said.
The King added that serious challenges remain, including poverty and
unemployment, energy price rises and regional instability, as well as debt
burdens that drain national budgets of funds need for infrastructure and
development.
The Monarch said that while he applauded the commitment of the international
community to help the extremely poor countries, especially in Africa, assistance
was also "vital for Lower-Middle Income Countries — countries that are in a
position to create sustained advances through economic management and reform".
He said member states should adopt a common goal: To make foreign aid responsive
to local needs, shift from loans to grants to keep countries from reaccumulating
debt, lobby wealthy countries to open their markets to developing country
production, especially in the agricultural sector, and channel savings from debt
relief into strengthening education and public health sectors.
King Abdullah called for the creation of the post of a secretary general,
appointed on a one-year rotating basis. He suggested Jordan to chair that post
for the first year. The group will reconvene on the sidelines of the World
Economic Forum in May.
In addition to Jordan and Pakistan, its members include Sri Lanka, Morocco,
Tunisia, Georgia, Croatia, Honduras, Paraguay, Ecuador and Indonesia (see
country information). Four of the countries were represented Wednesday by their
heads of state and others by their foreign ministers or their envoys to the
United Nations. Tunisia did not attend the meeting.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, meanwhile, told the meeting that the
international community ought to reward rather than penalise countries such as
his for their economic growth and reform.
International assistance was needed to "transmit our economic gains to the
people of Pakistan," Musharraf said. Instead, he said, the European Union had
curtailed its assistance to Pakistan because more needy states deserve its
assistance.
"We need to demand access to the transfer of technology. Pakistan is an agrarian
society and needs financial assistance to switch from agriculture and textile to
engineering sector. If this happens, we can sustain this economic growth," the
Pakistani leader said.
A communique by the grouping, known as the G-11, said its aim was to mobilise
global recognition and international support.
"More than a quarter of the world's population today live in Lower-Middle Income
Countries, many of which are ready to graduate to higher income brackets through
prudent economic management and enabling the engines of growth," a communique
issued at the end of the meeting said.
"But for that, we need targeted help and results-oriented assistance to
accelerate growth, lift millions from poverty, and hasten delivery of the fruits
of reform to larger segments of populations."
Meanwhile, King Abdullah held talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who
briefed the Monarch on his US visit and meeting with President George W. Bush.
The King also met with President Antonio Saca of El Salvador for talks on
bilateral ties. Saca asked the King that El Salvador join the G-11, saying his
country was interested in working with the bloc to help enhance reforms and
alleviate poverty and unemployment.