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DPMF Publications: |
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Opening Address By UNDP (Antonius Broek) |
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It is a pleasure and
privilege for me to give an opening statement at this conference on
‘‘Democracy, Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction: Are They
Compatible?’’
I congratulate the Development Policy Management Forum for their initiative in putting this important conference together. The meeting has drawn from the intellectual crème de la crème of Africa to debate on these current challenges facing the continent. During our two days deliberation, your broad experiences in these areas will provide practical guidelines to the international community, governments, and the United Nations on how to support Africa in its quest for democracy, sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Democracy, sustainable development and poverty reduction are not only compatible; they are indivisible. Good governance—democracy—provides the setting for equitable distribution of the benefits of growth and creates the enabling environment for sustainable human development and eradication of poverty. Only by ensuring that people’s interests, needs and human rights are addressed can real progress be made in combating poverty. Evidence throughout the world has revealed that without good governance—respect for the rule of law, legitimate power, predictable administration and responsive regulation—no amount of resources, aid or goodwill can set us on the path to prosperity.
Democracy, through regular free and fair elections, enforces the accountability of officials to respond to the interests and needs of the people they represent. Running institutions in a democratic way ensures fair and transparent allocation of public resources and averts corruption. People’s participation in decision-making, through appropriate information and empowerment, promotes democracy. And greater democracy at all levels is clearly linked to progress in poverty reduction.
Good governance, sustainable development and poverty reduction are closely related and are the core objectives of the United Nations. The United Nations and UN member states believe that we as the world community must make advances on all three fronts simultaneously to ensure the very survival of the world community, and reduce the burden of 1.2 billion people living in absolute poverty. Poverty eradication is, therefore, not only a development goal but also a challenge for democracy and sustainable development.
UNDP has advocated the concept of sustainable human development since the early 1990s; that is, development that is people centred and environmentally centred. The concept advocates the attainment of self-reliance and equal opportunity for a better life, with equal access to education and resources. Economic growth alone cannot guarantee such development. Good governance and the empowerment of the people to participate in decisions that affect their lives are essential to reaching this goal.
As an essential dimension of sustainable human development and poverty eradication, governance is UNDP’s most rapidly growing area of work.
A review of UNDP assistance worldwide in 2000 revealed that in 40 percent of programme countries, UNDP supports good governance. UNDP has become a good governance institution and also an anti–poverty and sustainable development institution.
This is because of demands by countries and the powerful linkage between these three goals. Other related UNDP initiatives include the Africa Governance Forums, international conferences and media activities, a series of technical and “best practices” publications, and research activities linked to advocacy and policy dialogue.
Again, the theme of ‘‘Governance’’ has been proposed for the 2002 Human Development Report.
We still have a lot to learn, and clearly recognise the need for strong partnerships to realise our goals. UNDP is looking forward to work with and learn from our partners that are here today. Let us together identify and promote best practices for the eradication of mass poverty, extreme inequality, injustice, and exclusion from our world.
Thank you all.