Responding to social equity challenges
22 April 2012
The High-level segment at UNCTAD XIII, of the United Nations, explored strategies for spreading the benefits of growth in the wake of the global economic crisis, in particular in the Arab region.
While the recent social discontent in the aftermath of the global economic and financial crisis was the most prominent in the Arab region, it was by no means confined to it. In some countries it was inadequate government policies that had caused economic reforms to fail to deliver sustained growth and development.
In others cases, unchecked liberalization and poor distribution of the gains from growth undermined the sustainable development potential.
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 Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, president of the General Assembly and H.E. Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage. |
Strategies for responding to the resulting social and economic challenges were the focus of an engaging debate that took place last night, launching the substantive part of UNCTAD XIII.
Chaired by H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the General Assembly of the United Nations, it featured statements from H.E. Mr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, President of UNCTAD XIII, as well as Ministers from Ghana, Tunisia and Niger.
Rising inequality and surging unemployment, in particular among the young people, have sparked in turn popular movements calling for change, the speakers noted.
The urgent task at hand is now responding to this massive social discontent, through introducing policy changes that promote equality and create jobs while preserving the economic gains of recent years, they concluded.