The Chronicle interview - Nurul Islam, UN Committee for Development Planning chairman

UN Chronicle, Summer, 1997

First off, what is the Committee for Development Planning [CDP], which was only recently reconvened after some uncertainty as to its future?

The CDP is the only non-governmental expert body in the United Nations system, as distinguished from other UN expert' groups, which are intergovernmental. It has been like that since its inception and, as such, has in my view a unique role to play. That role is to act as a think-tank and, therefore, as a bridge to thinking in the rest of the world on development policy issues - originating from various academic thinkers and national and regional think-tanks - and to bring these to bear on the deliberations of the United Nations in ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council), other intergovernmental bodies, as well as in the Secretariat itself. Please remember that the CDP is appointed by ECOSOC, and is intended to advise and make recommendations to the Council.

There is no other similar body in which the United Nations has such ready access to accumulated thinking on development policy issues. The CDP is made up of experts in economic and social development policy who bring with them very broad experience in academic and analytical research, as well as practical policy-making experience in developing and developed countries. The Committee's composition includes people from all developing regions, from developed countries and transitional economies. So, you have in a group of 24 expertise available from all kinds of backgrounds and all schools of thought, and I consider it is so important that the Member States and the Secretariat of the United Nations have access to this rich source of information in order to help in its deliberations.

This brings to mind the upcoming General Assembly special session that will consider progress in implementing Agenda 21 - the Plan of Action that came out of the 1992 Earth Summit. As early as the 1960s and 1970s, eminent experts from the field and academia were pressing for more concerted action on a wide range of environmental and development issues which the international community is only now beginning to seriously address. At that time, their efforts were often perceived by "realists" as quixotic; but, with the benefit of hindsight, they are likely to be viewed as having been prudent. As the United Nations redefines itself, in particular, as regards its development efforts, should it consider working more closely with such experts and policy makers who have important insights to contribute?

That's exactly right. I agree with you. That's essential if the United Nations has any role to play in the future in the economic and social fields - and the UN Charter does provide the Organization with a fundamental role to play in promoting world economic and social development. It therefore has to take a forward-looking view and seek out various sources of thinking about present and future developments in the world economy. The UN has to play a role in economic and social development. It doesn't have many resources at its disposal, admittedly true, but it has to play a role in promoting dialogue between the various sets of countries, in debating policies in order that a consensus on development and the future of the world economy can emerge.

What do you see, in the context of economic, social and sustainable development, as the major dangers and prospects over the next few decades, especially as we head into the next century?

Let me illustrate by reference to the deliberations of this session of the Committee. What we, in the CDP, are discussing is quite relevant not only to the current situation in the world economy, but also to its future development. We are discussing the nature of globalization that has characterized the world economy over the past 10 to 15 years: the greatly expanded flows of trade, investment across national borders, especially the increased private capital flows. What are the implications of this new, global environment for national policies? What challenges does it pose for national economies? How should the international community respond?

We always keep in view the fact that the whole purpose of the exercise CDP is undertaking is to analyze and promote policies that will stimulate growth, alleviate poverty and promote social cohesion, while at the same time protecting the environment, so that society not only grows, but is stable and looks after the poor. And although we don't deal directly with environmental issues, as there is another expert body for that, which is appointed by the Secretary-General and advises him exclusively on environmental and related developmental issues, we do always keep them in view.

These are the challenges for the next century, and they are serious ones. How do you operate in an open, globalized economy and pursue policies - both national and international - that promote growth, alleviate poverty and look after the poor, and promote social cohesion?

Given your long experience in poverty and development issues, do you foresee an improvement or deterioration in relations between developed and developing countries coming out of the growing globalization in trade, finance and private capital flows?