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President of the Republic of Estonia In the follow-up discussion on the Report of the ILO World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation "A Fair Globalisation: Creating Opportunities for All" At the UN Headquarters on September 20, 200420.09.2004
Mr Chairman,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
It is my pleasure to participate in the discussion on the Report of World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation "A Fair Globalisation: Creating Opportunities for All". I am convinced that the members of the Commission have performed a tremendous work identifying the problems we have to face in today's world.
Assessing the globalisation process as a whole we see both positive and negative aspects in it, but in conclusion we can say that the positive aspects prevail. The free exchange of information all over the world has created a feeling of global cohesiveness, has led to an understanding that the whole world shares the same fate. The free movement of goods, capital and services has facilitated the acceleration of development.
This development has not been even and balanced. Not all countries have been equally successful in benefiting from the opportunities offered by globalisation. The globalisation has also caused new social and environmental problems, which are thoroughly described in the report underlying our today's discussion. Sustainable development is one of the essential keywords there.
Globalisation must continue taking account of the problems of weaker, less developed societies. The rules must be equitable. Only in this case will all, that means billions of people, benefit from it. Estonia has shared its experience with developing countries and countries in transition (first of all Eastern European and the Balkans countries) assisting them to prepare for WTO membership.
Concurrently there is a need for more efficient and transparent multilateral system, where the voice of each country would be better heard. It is essential that the organisation of work in international organisations would be clearer and more open, which enables that all members could enjoy equal participation and say in decision making and in conclusion of international agreements.
We have to move on with the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals, promoting cooperation between donor countries and developing countries. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the main responsibility for one's development lies with each country itself. More active role of developing countries themselves would facilitate the realisation of many recommendations proposed in the Report under discussion today.
The access of individuals to constantly changing opportunities of developing information society plays an important role in making the benefits of globalisation accessible to the people living in less developed areas.
A change in interstate relations is a prerequisite of more even distribution of benefits derived from globalisation, first of all, replacement of egoistic self-interest of each country with the spirit of seeking balanced solutions, which place the global cohesion in the forefront. Such even distribution would create opportunities to enhance the well being for billions of people and would also strengthen global stability and peace.
With those thoughts I would like to conclude my speech and express my belief that today's exchange of ideas between the authors of the report and us will be fruitful.
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