Globalization : Solidarity Must Be One of the Main Obligations of the
International Community

Globalization : Chirac's
Two Convictions
Message from Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic, at
the opening session of the World Bank Conference: "Scaling up poverty
reduction: a global learning process". Shanghai, May 26, 2004.
Source: Embassy of France, Washington D.C.
(...)
Here in China, as your conference starts, I am sure that each
of you will reflect on the experience of this great country and its great people
whose progress is a source of hope and inspiration for all poor countries. At
the start of the twentieth century, China was suffering from war, poverty and
runaway population growth. Having survived a great many jolts and overcome a
host of problems and difficulties, she has been engaged for the last quarter of
a century in an outstandingly rapid modernization process that has won the
admiration of the world. Admittedly, there is still a long way to go, but she
has already carved out her place as a major political, economic and cultural
power, willing to assume the responsibilities that come with the recovery of her
historic status.
The paradox of our world is that it has never been so rich,
prosperous, dynamic and innovative, yet half of mankind still live vulnerable
lives and a sixth of the world population suffers the direst poverty. This
paradox is profoundly shocking. No one can accept it. No one can accept the
prospect of a world forever divided between people for whom the future promises
everything and so many others abandoned to suffering and despair. This is
especially true of you here today, who have the task of embodying international
solidarity.
You are responsible for the effective use of official
development assistance. The amounts involved look very small compared to the
needs and compared to the additional wealth that world economic growth creates
each year. You must make the best use of this rare resource to relieve suffering,
open up new prospects for the recipients and ensure that it is used most
effectively.
As you set to work, I would like to share two basic
convictions that motivate me and inspire France’s policies.
This obligation is, in the
first place, an ethical one in an open world where the destinies of nations are
interconnected, where anyone can find out what is happening anywhere at any
time. It is also a matter of common sense, given the extent of the slowdown of
the world economy when the lack of development condemns entire regions to
poverty and a seeming lack of prospects. It is finally a political necessity,
because the security and stability of the world are under threat from the
reactions of populations who are deprived of their basic rights and can feel
rejected and humiliated.
It would be particularly irresponsible to shirk our
obligation in terms of solidarity because the battle is not a vain one. The
examples of South America, Asia and certain African countries show us that it
can be won. That sound economic and social policies backed up by efforts to
establish good governance can trigger a cycle of growth which can radically
transform the face of a country and the future of its people in the space of one
or two generations. That is why the pledge we made in New York in September
2000, when we adopted the Millennium Development Goals, is a political and moral
imperative for the whole international community, committing both rich and poor
countries.
We need to accept the complexity of the
real world, the legacy of history, and the diversity of people and nations,
which is the wealth of mankind. We need to treat each people, each region as a
special case that requires a specific approach. This is why the success of our
action depends on forging a genuine partnership, respecting the identity of all
parties, as well as emphasizing the need for general rules of sound economics
and good governance. Yesterday’s policies inspired by the concept of “aid” have
run their course. The keys to success are ownership and the determination to map
out one’s own road to development.
With the commitment we made in Monterrey and the partnership
between the developed countries and African countries created with NEPAD, we
have opened up a new chapter of confidence and respect, a chapter holding out
great promise. The partnership is based on a contract: poor countries conduct
policies to achieve good governance, encourage private initiative, establish the
critical infrastructures for development, and promote social progress and
environmental protection. In return, any country committing itself to this path
is assured of obtaining the necessary funds.
This is why France is working to increase the amount of
concessionary development financing. She is substantially increasing her budget
allocations for this purpose. She is promoting the quest for new financing
sources, such as the International Finance Facility and the possibility of
international taxation, which the World Bank Development Committee now
recognizes as a serious proposition. I shall soon be asking the international
community to take up this matter.
But the notion of partnership goes far beyond this. It
requires us to focus all our efforts on coherent and concerted international and
national strategies.
Let us work in the UN and in the International Financial
Institutions within mutually-agreed guidelines to achieve each of the Millennium
Development Goals.
Let us work under the guidance of local authorities in the
developing countries to achieve coordinated use of international assistance.
Let us overcome rivalries and ideological quarrels to achieve
more flexible and innovative use of the whole range of development instruments
and players, whose complementary nature must be given greater recognition. In a
word, let us learn to build a strong, coherent and united development community,
wholly dedicated to the sole goal of eliminating poverty.
Thank you.
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