XXX MEETING OF THE SUMMIT IMPLEMENTATION
REVIEW GROUP (SIRG)
Date: July 21- 22, 2003
Place:Rubén Darío Meeting Room 804
Organization of American States
Washington, DC.
See agenda and attached list of participants.
Opening Address by the Secretary General of the OAS
The session started with the opening remarks by the Chair of the Summit Process,Ambassador Eduardo Sguiglia, Undersecretary on Latin American Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina and National Coordinator for the Summits of the Americas Process. It was followed by the intervention of Dr. Miguel Hakim Simon, Under Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean of Mexico and Chair of the Special Summit of the Americas.
The Secretary General referred to the impact that the Summit process has had on the OAS in defining the Inter-American agenda, and in determining the work of the Summits of the Americas Secretariat, in support of the efforts of the countries and in the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of mandates within the OAS. He mentioned the good work of the Joint Summit Working Group, where the institutions harmonize their agendas around the Summits and cooperate with one another in supporting the implementation of Summit mandates. Furthermore, he highlighted Ministerial meetings as being a fundamental part of the Summit process and emphasized the need for finding mechanisms and resources to support these meetings and to systematize the information received from these Ministerial meetings.
In addition, the Secretary General mentioned that civil society participation in the Summit process and in OAS activities had made progress. Proof of this was the meeting with civil society prior to the General Assembly of the OAS in Chile. He added that this strategic alliance with all the actors of the Hemisphere was key in confronting current challenges.
Finally, the Secretary General emphasized the enormous importance and great expectations for the Special Summit, since the Washington Consensus is no longer sufficient in interpreting the realities and the economic and political objectives. He highlighted that the hemisphere has the need for a collective agenda that helps us move through these difficult times.
In addition, he requested assistance from all the countries for the SIRG Specific Fund so that the OAS can provide support to the countries in the process.
Address by the Chair of the Summit Process
Ambassador Eduardo Sguiglia first recognized the work of Canada as Chair of the Summit Process. He also mentioned that there is currently a framework for exclusion and social inequality. The Hemisphere faces multiple and complex challenges and therefore we need true social development, he said.
Address by the Chair of the Special Summit
Dr. Miguel Hakim Simón, on behalf of President Vicente Fox and Foreign Affairs Minister Derbez, stated that Mexico is very pleased to be the host of the Special Summit of the Americas and thanked the Summits of the Americas Secretariat for its collaboration in the preparatory activities.
He expressed Mexico’s confidence in the leaders' ability to focus their deliberations on the need for promoting a new economic and social development agenda, in order to strengthen democratic governance.
He stated that the issues of economic growth with equity, social development and democratic governance, which were agreed upon at the last SIRG meeting, will facilitate the identification of the components that should integrate a brief but conclusive Political Declaration.
1. Presentation of the Conceptual Framework for the Special Summit of the Americas (SSA)
Dr. Miguel Hakim Simón explained that the conceptual framework is a reference point based on chapter 11 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. He mentioned that at the previous SIRG Executive Council and Steering Committee meetings, the general observation of the countries was that the document lacked emphasis on democratic governance, and that the issues should be clearly interconnected and carry the same relative weight.
Panama requested that the Monterrey Conference, trade issues, the Inter-American Democratic Charter, and the Millennium Development Goals be taken into account. Also the issues of science and technology, and democratic governance, which were discussed in Chile, should be included.
Peru mentioned that the issue of democratic governance is very important and supported Argentina’s proposal to include the issue of the crisis of political parties, and the participation of civil society. They also mentioned that the following issues should be included within the agenda:
-The importance of creating an environment of confidence and safety
-The importance of international cooperation
-Racial and gender discrimination
-The role of international financial organizations in social development
El Salvador emphasized that in the area of economic growth with equity, reference should be made to the following sub- themes:
-Free trade and investment to reduce the poverty
-Agricultural management and rural development
-Financing for development (Monterrey)
-Management of natural disasters
In the area of Social Development, the following sub-themes should be included:
-Education and health
The agenda should be further developed in the area of Democratic Governance.
They highlighted that in chapter 2 of the IDB document, there are existing programs and specific costs which should be reviewed. El Salvador reported that they would be sending their observations in writing.
Guyana indicated that the Special Summit of the Americas provides an opportunity to evaluate what has been accomplished since Quebec City, and to analyze the situation in order to see if we need to implement changes in the region. They also indicated that the delegations of CARICOM believe that the Summit should discuss the issue of social development, and that health and education should be taken into account.
The United States added that the Summit Conceptual Framework should be based on the Quebec City Plan of Action and on the Monterrey Consensus. USA emphasized that it is essential to ensure that democratic governance has an important place in the agenda. They also added that the Special Summit should strengthen the legitimacy of democracy and its institutions and ensure that everyone benefits from globalization. The Summit should be an executive meeting, well focused, so that leaders can discuss concrete commitments.
For Colombia working under the slogan “Creating Opportunities for Equity and Democracy” is of great interest. They considered discussing economic problems as essential. Colombia emphasized that the effects produced by armed conflicts in social life (violence and poverty) and the acknowledgement of the devastating results of violence on the economic development of the countries should be included. The elements of governance discussed in Chile and in the Cusco Consensus should be taken into consideration. Lastly, they highlighted that the Conceptual Framework has a multidimensional approach by including the subjects of equity, poverty, and social development.
Brazil stated that the proposal to celebrate a Special Summit of the Americas was only accepted by their government because it was going to be centered on social issues. It expressed that the Special Summit should be oriented towards identifying mechanisms to overcome poverty and hunger in the region, and that the Summit process must be able to demonstrate that it can change this reality. Even though the priority given in past Summits to combating poverty and hunger was reflected in their agendas, much attention has been given to the trade negotiations. They also referred to the importance of cooperation in science and technology in order to face poverty, and highlighted the importance of collaboration with other non-governmental actors such as the private sector, the academia and civil society for the success of these actions.
Uruguay noted the importance of tying together the three issues on the agenda and gave great importance to education, especially education for democracy, which brings out the values that we share in the hemisphere. They spoke about the need for concrete and operational commitments that prevent negative impact and strengthen positive developments.
Venezuela reminded the participants that in October, under the OAS framework, there would be a meeting on social development, whose recommendations could be incorporated into the considerations for the Special Summit of the Americas. Furthermore, they emphasized that the three issues are interconnected.
Chile discussed the importance of the market and having the appropriate rules for the market to function, and indicated that economic growth is important in reducing inequalities. Other issues that were suggested are: transparency, responsibility in the use of public resources and its appropriate management, and the fight against corruption. They added that it was necessary to review what the countries have accomplished and evaluate and place an emphasis on a few central elements for future action. They stated that they are not interested in creating another Plan of Action.
Canada referred to the importance of incorporating the new leaders of the Hemisphere into the Summit process and highlighted the need for strengthening the confidence of its citizens in governments and in the future of the Hemisphere. They added that it was essential to emphasize the synergy among the three themes of the Summit and to discuss a joint vision for better use of resources. Furthermore, Canada highlighted that an evaluation of the Quebec City Summit would happen at the IV Summit of the Americas in Argentina.
Bolivia highlighted the importance of overcoming poverty, especially extreme poverty, in order to improve the life conditions of the affected sectors. They also noted the relationship between economic growth with equity, social development as social inclusion, and democratic governance.
In short, the Chair stated that the previous observations should be part of the Political Declaration.
2. Draft Agenda of the SSA
Dr. Hakim reported that Argentina, Canada, Peru, and Venezuela sent their comments on the draft agenda (CEA/2003/DT esp./01) and that Mexico took them into account while preparing the following draft agenda:
- Economic Growth with Equity
- Participation of the private sector as an engine of the economic growth. Appropriate market rules.
- Creation of opportunities for all. Better income distribution. Adequate economic, fiscal, and monetary policies. Good management of public resources.
- Monterrey Consensus. Mechanisms for financing growth with equity. Greater opening to international markets. Implementation of cooperation instruments for development.
- Social Development
- Policies to guarantee development and social inclusion: reduction of poverty, hunger, and social exclusion.
- Attention to all sectors of the population, with emphasis on the most vulnerable groups, through access to food, health care, education and housing.
- Promotion of credit and financial services, property registration systems, partnerships between the public and private sectors, generation of jobs, assurance of a productive use of science and technology, including the reduction of the digital divide, and the establishment of social protection systems in critical times.
- Democratic Governance
- Interrelationship between democracy and economic and social development. Strengthening social unity and governance. Defining of public policies with social orientation.
- Strengthening democratic systems. Respect for democracy. Greater transparency and accountability on the part of the governmental institutions: the fight against corruption. Innovative financial mechanisms for democratic governance.
- Civil society participation and access to information.
The United States proposed that each subject have only 2 sub-themes:
1. Economic Growth and Reduction of Poverty
a)Enabling Private Sector - Led Growth
b)Access to capital
2. Investing in People
a)Access to quality education
b)Access to health services
3. Democratic Governance
a)Fight against corruption
b)Rule of Law and strengthening of democratic institutions
El Salvador expressed that key categories should center the discussion. They stated that the structure of the agenda is correct if it is focused, enabling each leader to explore the issue that they consider appropriate.
Peru indicated that the subjects selected should fit with the interests of the countries, and that the economic approach is only one part of the entire panorama, and cited the need for an integrated and political approach.
Colombia considered it important to include elements of cooperation and regional financing mechanisms as alternatives to development, as well as political parties and strengthening political parties.
Brazil noted the positive response to the agenda proposed by Mexico in Santiago. They suggested that Mexico incorporate some suggestions presented by Argentina, and based on the agenda initially proposed, prepare a draft Declaration to be negotiated in the next meeting. Regarding the proposal presented by the United States, Brazil expressed difficulty in negotiating the titles of the themes again.
Argentina emphasized the importance of defining the theme of the Summit. The Summit should be focused on the social issues that people are concerned about and it should not be a limited to the promotion of investments in education and public health programs.
Peru expressed its interest in maintaining the issues presented in Mexico’s proposal, including the civil society participation and innovative financial mechanisms for democratic governance.
Countries agreed to maintain the three initial issues. Furthermore, they agreed to establish a maximum of three sub-themes per issue. Mexico will review the agenda and will submit a new version in accordance with the comments they received.
3. Proposed Slogan for the SSA
The following four slogans for the Special Summit were proposed:
Canada - “Commitment of the Americas”
USA - “Create Opportunities for All”
Mexico - “Create Opportunities for Equity and Democracy”
Argentina - “Social Development: Toward a new hemispheric consensus”
Ecuador proposed combining the four proposals into: “Social Development: Create Opportunities for All.”
Bolivia indicated that the phrase, “social inclusion” as the engine of development, should also be taken into consideration.
Brazil prefers that there is no slogan, but instead that they adopt as a title “Summit of the Americas on Social Inclusion,” following the example of the Summit of the Americas on Sustainable Development in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
Antigua and Barbuda proposed the slogan “Social Development through Democratic Governance and Equity.”
Jamaica and Guyana expressed that it is better to now concentrate on the content and later on a slogan.
The United States indicated that the focus of the Summit should be on people and that the objective should be to communicate a message to the people. They proposed the slogan “Create Opportunities for All” adding that the key word that links the three themes together is “opportunity.”
Chile expressed that the basis of the slogan should reflect the three issues already agreed upon. They stated that it was reasonable to include the phrase “opportunities for all” or “creating opportunities for all” in the Summit slogan.
The slogan is still pending. The Chair of the Special Summit (SSA) and the Summits of the Americas Secretariat were instructed to submit a slogan proposal that takes into account the four proposals. Their proposal will later be considered by the SIRG.
4. Preparations for the Special Summit
a) Date of the Summit
The Chair conveyed that after a process of consultations was carried out that morning with the Steering Committee and the Executive Council, they agreed to propose the following dates for holding the Special Summit, while taking into account the agendas of the leaders, other important meetings and previously established Summits:
1. October 9 and 10, 2003
2. January 12 and 13, 2004
The location of the Summit will depend on the date. President Fox prefers Cancun if the Summit takes place in October. However if the Summit were held in January, it would be necessary to confirm hotel availability.
Venezuela expressed their concern about the October date because Venezuela hosts in October, within the OAS framework, the forum on poverty. The forum will take place on October 8th, 9th and 10th. Then expectation is to present its recommendations for consideration at the Special Summit of the Americas.
Chile, Bolivia, Haiti, and Guyana indicated their preference for January.
Finally, it was established that July 31, 2003 would be the deadline for the countries to state their preference for the date of the Special Summit of the Americas to be held in Mexico.
b) Venue of the Summit
The venue of the Summit depends on the date. There exists a preference for Cancun, but Cancun is subject to hotel availability, which depends on the date. Mexico has separated the substantive part from the logistical aspects of the Summit. The Accountant, Monica Ruiz, who is in charge of the Summit logistics, made a presentation on Cancun.