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Mr. Chairman,
Let me at the outset thank the Secretary-General for his report contained in
document A/58/179 concerning the agenda item.
2. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by Morocco on behalf of
G-77 and China.
3. We are acutely aware of the challenges poverty poses to humankind. We note
with concern that more than half of 4.6 billion people living in developing
countries subsist on less than two dollars a day and 1.2 billion below the
poverty line of one dollar a day or less. Despite the pledges made in the
Millennium Declaration, there is no hope of halving the global poverty by 2015.
In fact in many regions, the poverty has increased.
4. The real challenge is how to address this multidimensional problem. Clearly,
urgent action is needed on a number of fronts involving all relevant
stakeholders. In a world where North controls more than 80% of resources and 95%
of the international liquidity and investment, the developing countries alone
will not be able to break the shackles of poverty. Only a comprehensive and
integrated approach, based on the principle of shared responsibilities, can help
eradicate poverty.
Mr. Chairman,
5. In the Millennium Summit, our leaders agreed to attack poverty from all
directions. They decided to place the people in the center-stage of development
and invest in their health and education. At Monterrey, they reaffirmed those
commitments. It is now incumbent on both parties to this Compact, to implement
their part vigorously. Developing countries should continue to improve their
policy framework and governance, while development partners need to act, and act
quickly, to meet their commitments towards enhancing the transfer of resources
to developing countries through enhanced market access, and by scaling up the
quality and level of ODA.
6. The progress on human development and poverty eradication is not progressing,
mainly due to lack of requisite financial and technical resources. We learnt
from the report of the Secretary-General that the actual increase in ODA during
2002 remained a fraction of the actual requirements. This is disappointing. We
share the views of the Secretary-General that new and innovative methods should
be vigorously explored.
7. Debt relief is yet another means of promoting development and should,
therefore, be the integral part of a comprehensive concept of poverty
eradication.
8. Trade is yet another area which could boost economic growth, generate
employment, and reduce poverty in developing countries. It is also the single
most important external source of financing development. Increased market access
is an effective way for developing countries to reach sustainability. Every
extra dollar of exports from a developing country feeds a poor family and builds
a better future for them.
Mr. Chairman,
9. Pakistan is well aware of the challenges posed by poverty to its people. The
Government has, therefore, taken a number of steps. We have adopted a
five-pronged approach focused on economic growth, investment in human capital,
targeted interventions, improved governance, and greater social safety nets. We
have put in place our interim PRSP, CCA/UNDAF and other development mechanisms.
We are now in the process of adopting full PRSP. We are investing in our people,
in infrastructure development, in transport and communication, in industry and
above all in agriculture which is the backbone of our economy. We have
established a Human Development Fund, aimed at poverty alleviation. We have
undertaken stringent policies and far reaching structural, macroeconomic,
institutional and governance reforms, the results of which, at the macroeconomic
level, are evident in stable currency, low inflation, improved levels of foreign
exchange reserves, decline in fiscal deficit and public debt as a proportion of
GDP, a vibrant stock market, and better than targeted growth.
10. We are also aware that we still have to go a long way in order to attain the
cherished goal of development and poverty eradication. We are, however,
determined to work with our development partners for the attainment of our
shared objective.
Mr. Chairman,
11. Microcredit is one of the most effective tools for poverty eradication. It
is not merely a means to gain access to credit. It is about empowering poor
families and communities within their homes and villages.
12. The International year of Microcredit will provide a good opportunity for
the United Nations to strengthen international cooperation in the field of
microcredit. In this regard, we are pleased to see a number of constructive
proposals in the Secretary-General’s report. We are confident that the
implementation of such proposals would greatly help developing countries in
their effort to alleviate poverty by enhancing the income of the poorest people
and generating economic activity for them.
Mr. Chairman,
13. In Pakistan, we are using microfinance as an important tool of poverty
alleviation. We have introduced a third generation microfinance sector
development programme providing for a microfinance policy and a regulatory
framework. The private sector is being encouraged to set-up microfinance
institutions. An integral part of this initiative is the Khushhalibank - a well
capitalized institution established to serve as a flagship of the program.
14. Pakistan is also supporting the Non Governmental Organizations and the rural
support programs with a view to expanding their outreach by organizing
communities at the grass root level and helping them access microcredit
alongwith training in various entrepreneur skills and capacity building.
15. While we have put in place the requisite institutional and legislative
framework to promote Microcredit and other poverty alleviation programmes, the
challenges ahead are great. We are aware that we need to forge global
partnerships to surmount these challenges. We all need to respond to them
collectively- the governments, the donors, the NGO’s and the civil society
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.