The 11th UNCTAD ministerial session closed in Sao Paulo on Friday following the adoption of the Sao Paulo Consensus, calling for the early creation of an enabling environment which is essential for developing countries and economies in transition to integrate successfully into the world economy.

Globalization remains a potentially powerful force for growth and development, "but the central challenge of globalization todayis still to raise all boats and become a source of improved livingstandards for all people in the world," delegates to the conference agreed in the Consensus.

"There is now broad agreement on the need to shape development strategies in the light of the successful and less successful experiences of the past. Development strategies should be tailoredto countries' specific development needs and circumstances," it said.

The Consensus proposed the following measures to enable developing countries to reap greater benefits from globalization and achieve the international development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration:

Firstly, there is a need to enhance the coherence and consistency of the international monetary, financial and trading systems and global economic governance, and to broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries and economiesin transition in international economic decision-making and norm-setting.

Every state is strongly urged to take steps with a view to the avoidance of, and refrain from, any unilateral measure that is notin accordance with international law and the Charter of the UnitedNations and impedes the full achievement of economic and social development.

Diversity must be respected in the formulation of national development strategies to meet the challenges of sustained economic growth and development, taking into account country-specific national development potentials and social economic circumstances.

Secondly, building productive capacities and enhancing international competitiveness requires a collective and coherent effort, primarily by the developing countries concerned, but also by investors and the international community as a whole.

Providing incentives for research and development, ensuring that the framework for intellectual property rights contributes totechnological development, and taking measures to develop the human resource base are important ingredients in a technology policy package.

For developing countries to take advantage of new technologies such as information and communication technologies (ICTs), it is important to formulate and implement ICT policies and strategies. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including the public sector, the business community and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Thirdly, trade policies of developing countries should be integrated into national development policies and be aimed at reducing poverty and supporting growth and sustainable development,as well as gender equality.

Agriculture is a central element in the current Doha Round of WTO negotiations. Special and differential treatment for developing countries shall be an integral part of all elements of the negotiations and shall take fully into account development needs in a manner consistent with the Doha mandate -- substantial improvements in market access, reduction of all of export subsidies and substantial reductions in trade-distorting domestic support.

The use of unilateral actions that are inconsistent with WTO rules can have a negative effect on efforts to move towards a truly non-discriminatory and open system.

Fourthly, partnerships are a set of activities with well-defined objectives, expected benefits, timeframes and sources of funding. Their contribution to the achievement of the international development goals has often been stressed.

While recognizing the central role and responsibility of governments in national and international policy-making, the contribution of the private sector, NGOs and civil society to the implementation of the outcomes of the UN conferences in the economic, social and related fields should be underlined.

Partnerships should be of benefit to as many developing countries as possible from all geographical regions, taking into account their national policies and strategies. Attention should also be paid to regional integration and other aspects of South-South cooperation, Africa and the east developed countries (LDCs).

Partnerships should rely on the resources and expertise broughtin by the partners and should not affect the resources allocated to regular budget activities.

Source: Xinhua