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Mr. Chairman,
Allow me to extend, on behalf of my delegation, our warmest felicitations on
your assumption of the Chairmanship of the Commission on Social Development. We
appreciate the extensive consultations with the Member States that you undertook
prior to the convening of this session. We also felicitate other members of the
Bureau on their election and look forward to working constructively with them
for a successful outcome of this session.
2. I would like to associate my delegation with the statement made by the
distinguished representative of Qatar on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Mr. Chairman,
3. The UN Charter had envisioned employment of international machinery for the
promotion of economic and social advancement. The World Summit for Social
Development had underscored the synthesis between economic prosperity and social
development by acknowledging the interrelation and interdependence between
economic and social development. In order to be effective, social development
has to be sustained, equitable and inclusive, reaching all stratum of the
society – nationally as well as internationally. Social development therefore,
is not solely contingent upon national settings but to a large extent is
dependent on enabling international environment. It is against this backdrop
that this august Commission ought to deliberate upon the issues before it.
4. We thank the Secretary General for his comprehensive reports presented to the
Commission. In particular, the report on “Improving public sector effectiveness”
contained in document E/CN.5/2004/5 is important. It analyses efficacy of the
public sector as a vehicle for delivery of social services without losing sight
of its equally important role as a policy formulating entity. This juxtaposition
of public sector’s capacity with its commitment necessitates a careful
assessment of its effectiveness and as needed, its improvement. The report does
that in a succinct way. The recommendations contained in the report merit astute
consideration. The Commission would pronounce upon these recommendations through
its Agreed Conclusions – providing a blue print for enhancing the contribution
of public sector nationally and internationally.
Mr. Chairman,
5. The Secretary General has observed that in developing countries the resources
available for financing of public social services are low. “These countries do
not have the critical mass of resources necessary for delivering quality and
effective services”, the report contends. These countries, the Secretary General
suggests, beside other things “need to develop their economic base”.
6. While fully agreeing with the Secretary General, we would add that lack of
enabling economic environment including inequitable international trade regime,
unsustainable debt burden and dwindling Official Development Assistance have
aggravated the predicament of developing countries. Abject poverty, growing
hunger, rampant disease, intensifying discrimination, environmental degradation
and widening digital divide have drastically curtailed the capacity of the
public sector in these countries to sustain the quality and quantity of social
services delivered. In order to reverse this retardation, commitments made at
Copenhagen and its five-year review, Millennium summit, Monterrey and
Johannesburg must be fulfilled in an integrated and coherent way.
Mr. Chairman,
7. Social development, being a global challenge would remain elusive without
collective efforts of the international community. The President of Pakistan in
his address to the 58th session of the General Assembly has outlined the
strategy of ‘enlightened moderation’. The two-pronged strategy involves
socio-economic and human development by the developing countries through
indigenous reforms, and simultaneous action by international community,
including the UN, to enhance economic opportunities and to promote conflicts
resolutions on the basis of justice and international legality.
8. The link between social development and prevention of conflict is widely
acknowledged now. Conflicts inflict heavy burden on public sector; they slow
down advancement and roll back development. The Secretary General was right when
he said that conflict prevention was an integral part of the quest for social
progress, development and reduction of poverty. Nowhere is this analysis more
vivid than in South Asia, where one-fifth of the humanity suffers from
backwardness and under development, with over 30% of the population living below
poverty line. Resources at the disposal of the public sector could be better
utilized for the welfare of people and for giving them a dignified life. It was
with this objective that Pakistan had been seeking meaningful dialogue with
India for peaceful settlement of all long-standing disputes. We hope that the
process of composite dialogue, initiated following the meeting between the
leaders of the two countries in Islamabad, would bear fruit. At this stage,
reinvigoration of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is
timely and augurs well. It would provide regional impetus to enhance the
capacity of the public sector of the member countries.
Mr. Chairman,
9. Efficient public sector and human rights go in tandem. In this regard, we
acknowledge the need to strengthen the universal values and common goals:
participatory democracy, social justice, good governance, transparency and
accountability – create supportive environment to reinforce the public sector.
Pakistan’s devolution of power programme, put into practice in 2001 was a
quantum stride in this direction. It has empowered people, including women by
devolving decision making to the grassroots level. Its most significant aspect
is that instead of a government functionary, an elected representative,
supported by an administrative system answerable to him directly, now heads the
district. Women have been empowered to play a prominent role in national
decision-making at all levels, through greater participation in local bodies and
provincial and federal legislatures. Foundations have been laid for good
governance through transparent and accountable public sector.
10. While primary responsibility for delivering social services rests with the
public sector, supplementary role of other segments of the society cannot be
overemphasized. For creating greater efficiency, alternate organizational
arrangements are crucial. It is against this backdrop that factoring civil
society participation into policy formulation and implementation of plans
attains greater relevance. The traditional resources are not sufficient to meet
the needs in Pakistan. We are conscious that volunteerism can play a key role in
supporting delivery of social services. Accordingly, a number of initiatives
have been taken by the Government, including the establishment of the National
Commission for Human Development (NCHD). Drawing on the skills and motivation of
volunteers at the grassroots level, the Commission has created a National
Volunteer Corps (NVC), to help meet development objectives in education, health
and poverty alleviation.
11. Improving public sector effectiveness raises a range of issues, which are
broader and more complex in developing countries as compared to developed
countries. Improving public sector effectiveness may not lie in privatizing
everything. Instead revitalizing it, building alliances and human development
may be the answer. Universal best practices may be found, but considerable room
should be left for local variation.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.