Statement of India at the 28th Special Session of the Trade and Development Board on the occasion of 50th Anniversary of UNCTAD

delivered by Smt. Alpana Dubey, First Secretary (Economic)

[17 June 2014, Geneva]

Mr. President,

Secretary-General of the United Nations,

Secretary-General of UNCTAD,

Excellencies&Distinguished delegates,

It gives me great honour and pleasure to extend on behalf of the Government of India the heartiest greetings to all on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of UNCTAD.

We would like to align with the Statements made by Group of 77 and China, and Asian Group. 

The establishment of UNCTAD in 1964 was a landmark in the history of the United Nations. As we celebrate the 50thanniversary of UNCTAD as well as the G-77 this year, it is useful toacknowledge the significant role played by the first Asian-African Summit held in Bandung, the first NAM Summit held in Belgrade and the Cairo Ministerial Conference of 1962 in the creation of UNCTAD. India has not only been closely associated with these processes but alsoextended its support to UNCTAD since its inception.

India always believed that the realisation of development goals of the developing countries required high political commitment and a genuine international partnership.Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, while addressing the second UNCTAD Conference in 1968 in New Delhi said ‘What we need is a global strategy of development, an integrated programme of international co-operation, which outlines convergent measures to be undertaken by every Member States of the United Nations.’ This remains relevant even today as we embark on charting an enlightened role for UNCTAD in the years to come.

Mr. President,

UNCTAD has been instrumental in placing development at the centre of the concern of international community, and raising awareness within the UN system of the development challenges in the newly independent ex-colonies, and their need for special treatment and assistance for development, to end poverty and deprivation. UNCTAD also made profound contribution in pioneering the Generalized System of Preferences, regulation of trade in services, identifying the problem of tariff escalation and encouraging South-South Trade. It has also been at the centre of North-South dialogue and focused on promoting a more equitable and just world economic order, elimination of poverty by development of developing and least developed countries.

This is an opportunity to assess the progress achieved as well as an occasion to reinvigorate the role of this UN Organisation at the multilateral level. We note with satisfaction the evolution of UNCTAD as the focal point in the UN system for the integrated treatment of trade and development and the interrelated issues in the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development, and playing the pivotal role in providing policy analysis, recommendations, consensus building and technical assistance. 

We need to guard against efforts to marginalize the role of UNCTAD and attempts to limit its role to research, data collection and technical assistance. A renewed interest and effort from all the Member States is imperative to strengthen all the pillars of this Organisation. As we seek to further enhance the relevance of UNCTAD, it is imperative that it should seek to address impending challenges, be it globalization leading to inclusive and sustainable development, continued marginalization of several developing and Least Developed Countries, rising inequalities, global financial fragility, new barriers to investments and restrictions on movement of skilled persons.

Mr. President,

We support UNCTAD’s effective role in the ongoing debate on the Post-2015 Development Agenda and finalilsation of new and sustainable development goals for future.

In conclusion, wereiterate India’s continuing support in our collective efforts to enhance the role and relevance of UNCTAD. We compliment the Secretary General and his team at UNCTAD for their dedication and commitment.

Thank you.

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