In Depth back to UNI In Depth home page 08/21/2002 Round table seeks ways to harness trade and investment for sustainable development Wednesday, 14 August 2002: The challenge of reconciling the powerful forces of international trade and investment with efforts to reduce poverty and protect the environment is a key issue facing the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, opening on 26 August. A recent high-level round table in Abuja, Nigeria, hosted by the Government and sponsored by UNDP, assisted by several partners, examined the issue, focusing on partnerships between government, civil society and the private sector for sustainable development in the oil, gas and minerals sector and the water and sanitation sector. Globalization driven by trade and investment has brought benefits for some developing countries, but a number of countries have seen rising poverty levels and growing environmental problems. Among these are the decline of major ecosystems, degradation of agricultural land, diminishing supplies of water and a growing prevalence of climate-related natural disasters, such as droughts and floods. "While trade and investment can provide the opportunities and capacities needed to sustain economic growth and development, if not properly managed, they can lead to increased rates of extraction of natural resources and unsustainable patterns of consumption and pollution," said a welcoming statement from President Olussegun Obasanjo of Nigeria. Egbert Imomoh , senior corporate advisor with Shell International, discussed his company's experiences in partnerships in Gabon, Nigeria, Thailand, Mexico and the Philippines. Nigeria, for example, is a major exporter of oil and gas, but the standard of living in the Niger Delta, where the exports originate, is very low. Shell has embarked with local partners on programmes aimed at reducing poverty and promoting economic empowerment, supporting activities such as technical assistance for local farmers, income-generating projects for women, and vocational training. Discussions on water and sanitation highlighted successful partnerships and also raised concerns about the power wielded by large multinational corporations. Kwabena S. Manu of Mime Consult Ltd. in Ghana presented a pilot project to involve local private firms in developing small town water supply systems. The project aims to strengthen the capabilities of local firms and ensure community management and provision of services to poor areas. The round table adopted a declaration calling for trade and investment policies that "capture the positive synergies between economic growth, social development and environmental protection." The declaration endorsed eight principles, the first stating that, "Sustainable development should be the goal of trade and investment policies. These policies must be aimed at fostering stable growth and reducing poverty, while ensuring environmental sustainability." The principles also call for developing countries to be provided market access and fair terms of trade, participation of the poor in designing trade and investment rules and policies, and steps to build the capacity of developing countries to participate in creating fair trading systems. The declaration also stated that partnerships between governments, civil society and the private sector can play a vital role in promoting sustainable development through trade and investment. A number of such partnerships are expected to be forged at the Johannesburg Summit, and the round table sought to contribute to these efforts. The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and the International Centre on Trade for Sustainable Devel opment provided assistance to UNDP in organizing the round table, the fourth such event on the road to Johannesburg. ______________________ Union Network International http://www.union-network.org - contact@union-network.org