Press Release
ECE/GEN/00/30
Geneva, 30 Novembert 2000
UN/ECE Regional Conference on "FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT"
(6-7 December 2000, at the Palais des Nations, Geneva)
To what extent is financing a constraint for the process of economic
transformation in the transition economies? Does official assistance complement or crowd
out other financial flows? Are concerns about "aid addiction" exaggerated? What
are the costs and benefits for transition economies of tying their currencies to the euro?These are some of the many questions which will be discussed at the
forthcoming Regional Conference on "FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT" organized by the
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) in cooperation with the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development (UNCTAD). The Conference will be held on 6-7 December 2000, at the Palais
des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland (Room XIX, XXIII and XXV).National, international and systemic issues related to financing for
development are of particular importance for countries going through an economic
transformation. Among the countries with economies in transition only a few have surpassed
their output level of 1989. Enabling the domestic environment through institutional change
and sound macroeconomic policies are essential if the transformation process is to be
successful. Enhancing private capital flows, including foreign direct investment (FDI),
will increase the likelihood of success provided there is a sound economic environment.
Among these countries, domestic investment has increased significantly only in those that
are geographically near to the European Union, but this trend also reflects the
development of the economic environment. In general the countries where the domestic
environment has improved have tended to attract capital from abroad including FDI.
The main themes which will be discussed during the Conference are (see
also attached program):
Financing the Process of Transformation and Development in the
ECE Transition Economies: What are the Main Problems?
Mobilizing Financial Resources for Transformation and Development - The
Domestic Dimension
Role of Official Assistance in Creating the Conditions for Sustainable
Development
FDI and the Restructuring of Transition and Emerging Economies
A Regional Perspective on Global Financial Issues.
This Regional Conference is being organized following a resolution of
the General Assembly which convenes in 2001 a High Level
Intergovernmental Event on Financing for Development. The objective of the meeting
is to exchange views and experiences in attracting public and private financial flows to
the transition economies and in using them effectively for development. It will also draw
lessons from these experiences, particularly as they relate to institution building and
governance, on the part of both governments and financial institutions in the region. The
lessons and conclusions that can be usefully taken up in the preparation of the High
Level Intergovernmental Event will be highlighted. The Conference will also provide a
regional perspective on issues related to governance in monetary an financial systems at
the global level.
For further information please contact:
Economic Analysis Division
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel: (+41 22) 917 27 18
Fax: (+41 22) 917 03 09
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.unece.org/ead/ead_h.htm
Programme
WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2000
Room XIX
10.00 – 13.00 Opening Plenary Session – Financing the Process of
Transformation and
Development in the ECE Transition Economies: What are the Main
Problems?
Welcome address: Danuta Hübner, Executive Secretary, United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Chair of the Session: Jørgen Bøjer, Chairman, Preparatory Committee of the
High-level
International Intergovernmental Event on Financing for Development , Denmark
Panel Discussion: Raphaël Alomar, Governor, Council of Europe
Development Bank
Borko Andreev, Minister of the Economy, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
George Arsenishvile, State Minister, Professor, Tbilisi State University,
Georgia
William Buiter, Chief Economist, European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD)
Danuta Hübner, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe (UN/ECE)
Harald Kreid, Chairman, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Johannes Linn, Vice-President, Europe and Central Asia, The World Bank
Goran Pitic, Minister for International Economic Relations, Yugoslavia
Wim Philippa, Secretary General, European Round Table of Industrialists,
Michael Tutty, Vice-President, European Investment Bank (EIB)
15.00 – 18.00 Special Sessions I and II (held in parallel)
Room XXIII
Special Session I: Mobilizing Financial Resources for
Transformation and Development - The Domestic Dimension
Chair of the Session3: Armen Martirrosian, Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Armenia
Introductory Speaker: Péter Ákos Bod, Professor, Budapest University of
Economics, Hungary; Former President of the National Bank of Hungary
Discussion Leaders: Rumen Dobrinsky, Economic Analysis Division, United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Robert Hall, Chairman, UNECE Real Estate Advisory Group
Aydin Karaöz, Director General, Undersecretariat of Treasury, Turkey
Velimir Rajkovic, Assistant Minister for Finance, Croatia
Nigel Tarling, Director of Programmes, International Council on Social Welfare
Adalbert Winkler, Chief Economist, German Consulting Company in Financial Sector
Development, Germany
Olexander S. Yaremenko, Adviser to the Prime Minister, Ukraine
Room XXV
Special Session II: Role of Official Assistance in Creating the Conditions for
Sustainable Development
Chair of the Session3: Cristian Popa, Deputy
Governor, National Bank of Romania
Introductory Speaker: Wolfram Schrettl, Deutsches Institut für
Wirtschaftsforschung, Berlin
Discussion Leaders: Mr. Urs Breiter, Minister, Deputy Head, Division for the
Cooperation with Eastern Europe and CIS, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation,
Swiss Foreign Ministry, Switzerland
Hans Peter Lankes, Director of Transition Strategy, European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
European Commission*
Christopher Hurst, European Investment Bank (EIB)
Krzysztof Ners, Deputy Minister of Finance, Poland
Goran Pitic, Minister for International Economic Relations, Yugoslavia
Paul Rayment, Director, Economic Analysis Division, United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Marcelo Selowsky, Chief Economist for the Europe and Central Asia Region, The World
Bank
Emirlan Toromyrzaev, First Deputy Minister, Kyrgyzstan
THURSDAY, 7 DECEMBER, 2000
10.00-13.00 Special Sessions III and IV (held in parallel)
Room XXIII
Special Session III: FDI and the Restructuring of
Transition and Emerging Economies
Chair of the Session3: Krzysztof Ners, Deputy Minister of Finance, Poland
Introductory Speaker: Gabor Hunya, Vienna Institut Für Wirtschaftsforschung
Discussion Leaders: Rolf Alter, Co-Chair of Investment Compact Project Team of the
Stability Pact, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Richard Eglin, Director of the Trade and Finance Division, WTO, Geneva.
John Fitzgerald, Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin
Jonathan Harris, President, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, London
Eugenijus Maldeikis, Minister of Economy, Lithuania
Signe Ratso, Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Economic Development,
Estonia
Karl Sauvant, Chief, International Investment, Transnationals and Technology Flows
Branch, Division on Investment Technology and Enterprise Development, United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Vladimir Shimov, Minister of Economy, Belarus*
Joseph Smolik, Economic Analysis Division, United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UN/ECE)
Vassili N. Takas, Co-Chairman, Business Advisory Council of South East European
Cooperative Initiative (SECI ), Greece
Ralf Zeppernick, Director in the Foreign Trade Division, Ministry of Economy,
Germany
Room XXV Special Session IV: A Regional Perspective
on Global Financial Issues
Chair of the Session3: David Klein,
Governor, Central Bank, Israel
Introductory Speaker: Yilmaz Akyüz, Acting Director, Division of Globalization and
Development Strategies, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Discussion Leaders: Gunter Baer, Secretary General, Bank of International
Settlements, (BIS)
Andrew Cornford, Macro-Economic and Development Policies Branch, United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Daniel Daianu, Former Minister of Finance, Romania, National Coordinator of
Romania for the OSCE Economic Forum
Heiner Flassbeck, Macro-Economic and Development Policies Branch, United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); Former Deputy Minister of Finance,
Germany
Reinhard Munzberg, Special Representative to the United Nations, International
Monetary Fund (IMF)
Muravei Radev, Minister of Finance, Bulgaria
Roberts Zïle, Minister of Special Assignments for co-operation with International
Financial Institutions, Latvia
Room XIX
Closing Plenary Session
15.00 – 18.00
Chair of the Session2: Jørgen Bøjer, Chairman, Preparatory Committee of
the High-level
International Intergovernmental Event on Financing for Development , Denmark.
Reports from the Special Sessions: SSI Armen Martirrosian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, ArmeniaSSII Cristian Popa, Deputy Governor, National Bank of Romania
SSIII Krzysztof Ners, Deputy Minister of Finance, Poland
SSIV David Klein, Governor, Central Bank, Israel
Final Discussion
Closing Remarks Jørgen Bøjer, Chairman, Preparatory
Committee of the High-level International Intergovernmental Event on Financing for
Development,Denmark
Harold Kreid, Chairman, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UN/ECE)
Danuta Hübner, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
18.00 Close of Conference
For further information please contact:
Information Unit
United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UN/ECE)
Palais des Nations, Room 356
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel: +(41 22) 917 44 44
Fax: +(41 22) 917 05 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.unece.org