Address of HRH Princess Basma bint Talal
at the
Launch of the 2005
UNDP Human Development Report
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, may I say how pleased I am to launch the 2005 Global Human Development Report. This annual event has become a milestone in the development calendar. It provides an opportunity to review progress towards poverty eradication both nationally and globally. It is also an occasion where public, civil and private sector institutions, with a mission to promote human development, come together to affirm their commitment to that task. I am delighted to see many old and new friends here today. I am sure, that like me, you are all eager to read the 2005 report: International Cooperation at a Crossroads: Trade, Aid and Security in an Unequal World.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Christine McNab, for the leading role that her organization plays in Jordan in promoting good governance as an essential component of poverty alleviation. I am sure that I speak on behalf of all Jordanians when I say that we value the partnerships that we enjoy with all the UN agencies here in Jordan.
As you have heard from my colleagues, the main messages of the Report are stark. We live in a time of contrasts: the world boasts breathtaking advances in science, technology, industry and wealth accumulation. And yet, at the same time, we see around us massive poverty. There has been a widening of the deep inequalities between rich and poor – not just between countries but also within countries.
These harsh contrasts draw our attention to the on-going debate concerning the linkages between economic growth and human development. On the one hand, powerful institutions in rich countries firmly believe that the expansion of global trade is the solution to poverty. On the other hand, pro-poor institutions across the world express their concern that it is the globalisation process itself that is a major cause of poverty. The conclusions of the 2005 Report, based on analysis of global data, leans towards the second view.
The Report recognizes that globalisation may present opportunities for the poor, but not under the present circumstances. The Report observes that global trade is currently characterized by unfair rules and structural inequalities between countries. Trade barriers prevent poor countries from accessing global markets. At the same time, subsidies to agriculture in rich countries allow them to exploit emerging markets in poor countries. Not only are small producers unable to export, they are also displaced by the import of subsidized goods in the home market. Across the world, it is the poor and marginalized whose livelihoods are negatively affected by such unfair practices and systems.
The Report notes that unfair trade policies are unjust and hypocritical, and that they demonstrate the deepening of the divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ of the world. The report quotes Eduardo Gaetano, who, back in the late 1970s observed that: The division of labour between nations is that some specialize in winning and some in losing. Thirty years on, we recognize that this is no longer simply a case of winners and losers. If ‘business as usual’ carries on, in the longer–term, there will only be losers, as the course we are steering takes us further into global economic, social, political and environmental decline.
The Report makes explicit the linkages between deepening inequality and the increase in levels of global conflict and insecurity. In an interdependent world, the threats posed by violent conflict do not stop at national borders, however heavily defended they may be. Development in poor countries is the front line in the battle for global peace and security.
Clearly, this message is relevant to the whole world. But it has a particular resonance in the Arab region. As Jordanians, we want to see our own country progressing well towards economic and social development. At the same time, we also want to see our neighbours benefiting from similar opportunities in a context of peace, security and justice for all. Jordanians know that the fruits of development must be distributed equally among all social groups. Nationally, regionally and globally, all our futures are indeed interconnected.
The debate concerning the terms of globalised trade is also highly relevant to Jordan. Over recent years, drawing on dynamic and visionary leadership from His Majesty King Abdullah, Jordan has reoriented its economy towards full integration with global markets. At the same time, the country has undertaken political and administrative reform to promote good governance. These strategic decisions have successfully guided Jordan through a period of transition that is bearing fruit. The release of 2005 Global Report reveals that Jordan is on track to meet the MDG targets for 2015. Jordan’s own surveys indicate that poverty has decreased significantly over the past five years, down from 24% to 14%. Given the challenging circumstances, this achievement should be acknowledged.
However, this should not allow us to become complacent. The Government’s own analysis also notes that the trend in poverty reduction is unlikely to be maintained, especially in the face of regional uncertainty. It is essential to act collectively to ensure that the chosen strategy delivers the best possible returns for the poor both now and in the longer term.
Given the right kind of support, the poor themselves can play an increasingly active role in poverty alleviation in Jordan. With improved access to credit and training, many of them are setting up in business: making goods, delivering services. These small-scale entrepreneurs are contributing to the development process in their homes and communities. They have taken risks, and shouldered responsibility, to become more self-reliant. However, they need an environment that is supportive of their efforts, that will enable them to compete with more powerful producers in a market that they too can access and benefit from. They need a trade system that is genuinely free and, above all, fair.
In this respect, I welcome here today a delegation of small producers from across Jordan. They have spent the last two days working together to find solutions to the challenges they face: opening up new markets, looking for ways to improve their products. They have been supported by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, and by a consortium of leading NGOs working to tackle poverty alleviation. Together, they have made a commitment to support small producers by establishing a Fair Trade system here in Jordan.
Fair Trade aims to ensure that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means a fair price for their goods - one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a living income. Across the world, people demonstrate their solidarity with the poor by buying Fair Trade goods. Every single purchase contributes to the global trend. The Fair Trade movement is growing stronger and now involves half a billion dollars of trade a year. Across the world, citizens can help to influence the terms of trade by making ethical choices.
The market for Fair Trade goods exists here in Jordan. There are many people, including those of you here in the room today, who increasingly, want to place themselves in this category of ‘ethical customers’. A successful Fair Trade system will guide you to markets where you can buy Fair Trade goods. These products will be environmentally sustainable and made to the best possible standards. Fair Trade goods celebrate traditional skills and the Jordanian cultural heritage while building alliances between government, communities, civil society and the private sector.
I have drawn your attention to this initiative because I think it
represents a step in the direction indicated in this Global Human Development Report. The underlying message of the Global Human Development series is maintaining with ever greater conviction, that the interests of the poor and marginalized are as essential to the development process as those with resources. From this standpoint, the 2005 report makes clear that the terms of global trade and aid have to be fair and equitable. Citizens can challenge unfair terms of trade by acting responsibly as ethical customers. They then have the right, and the responsibility, to use their voice effectively. They can urge leaders and decision-makers to take action to make the choices necessary to create a fairer world where all human life is treated with dignity.
In this past few weeks, culminating in the recent Summit in New York, the UN has once again been reviewing its role in human development. There are grave issues at stake, which mean that we must face up to stark choices; whether to truly place the interests of the poor and marginalized at the centre of policy, or to carry on with "business as usual". The 2005 Report notes that the world is at a crossroads and that “If ever there was a moment for decisive political leadership to advance the shared interests of humanity, that moment is now.” In the interests of long-term peace and global stability, let us hope that the right choices are made.