REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BENJAMIN WILLIAM MKAPA AT THE LAUNCH OF THE REPORT OF THE WORLD COMMISSION ON THE SOCIAL DIMENSION OF GLOBALISATION, LONDON, 24 FEBRUARY 2004

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning.

There is a Chinese proverb that says: “You cannot cover a fire with paper.” It is common sense.

What the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation is telling the world in this Report is equally common sense. The world can no longer hope to cover the fire of discontent with the current process of globalisation with paper. It cannot work. The time to act decisively is upon us.

That there is pervasive discontent with globalisation in its present form is without doubt. The World Economic Forum, whether meeting in Davos or in New York, is at best apprehensive. The World Social Forum, whether meeting in Porto Alegre or in Mumbai, is virtuously desperate. The growing poor of the world feel short-changed if not cheated, and are getting increasingly restive. In Cancún last September developing countries said enough is enough. From Enron to Parmalat the corporate image is under pressure giving the market forces that drive globalisation bad publicity.

Developing countries are complaining about unfair rules, or fair rules applied unfairly, and see no hope in the face of the current power asymmetry in global governance. Workers in rich industrialised countries are complaining about jobs moving out to China, India and Mexico, to middle income and least developed countries, which countries in turn complain about lack of market access, transfer of technology and labour mobility. Developing countries are demanding the same ladder that rich industrialised countries used to get where they are today. Technology is widening rather than narrowing the skills and productive gap between developed and developing countries. We strived to look at globalisation through the eyes of the people in all societies. We can say authoritatively that discontent is pervasive.

At one level we are increasingly interconnected, and at another level we are increasingly drifting apart. This is an untenable situation, and soon a mutually damaging rupture will occur. But we also found out that the vast majority of people desire to be a part of, and to have a stake in the benefits offered by, the globalisation process.

Globalisation has increased our interdependence, and there is no hope of disentangling ourselves. But it has also brought into sharp distinction the imbalances that exist in our world. And the closer we get to one another the more we see and experience the unfairness of the system, exacerbating underlying political, social, economic and cultural frustrations, uncertainties and in some instances outright anger. For many, desperation is setting in as the sheer scope of present social and economic change appear to outstrip the capacity of national governments or citizens to control, contest or resist the undesirable effects. The limits to national sovereignty and democratic political action, in many countries, are ascribed to globalisation. Countries with impoverished, disadvantaged and desperate populations are potential breeding grounds for present and future terrorists. We cannot cover fire with paper.

In many developing countries, particularly in Africa, there is a greater sense of both urgency and despair. The promises offered by the Millennium Development Goals are in jeopardy. The current round of global trade talks was meant to be a “development round”. Nothing so far mirrors this vision. The plea the Commission is making is that the poor must be brought from the margins into the mainstream. The process must be inclusive. The weakest economies and communities need special and differentiated help.

It is encouraging that a growing number of people in rich countries and in the corporate world share these concerns and have shown the willingness to act. This Report is a call to act together. This is our world, we share a common destiny and its fate lies in our hands.

· We emphasize the need to change the path of globalisation.

· We argue a case for a higher sense of urgency to rethink the process of globalisation.

· We emphasize the value and power of dialogue and multilateralism as an instrument for change; we call on nations to pursue inclusive cooperation and eschew gratuitous unilateralism; and plead for a strengthened UN system.

· We urge for the evolution and espousal of universally shared values.

· We put the case for a better balance between economic development, social development and environmental protection.

· We seek a better balance between globalisation for profit, and globalisation for people.

Yes, a fair globalisation, that creates usable opportunities for all is possible. We ask you in the media to help echo the message of the imperative to build the requisite political and corporate will for such a process of globalisation to emerge.

I thank you.