Statement by Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze, United Nations Under-Secretary General

Geneva, 14 July 2002—World Civil Society Forum

Audio

Madam President of the Conseil d'Etat

Mr. Mayor

Mr. Permanent Observer of Switzerland to the United Nations

Mr. President of Mandat International

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Geneva and to the World Civil Society Forum. It is a privilege to join you today.

The World Civil Society Forum offers all of us a welcome opportunity to reflect upon the achievements of civil society in global affairs. The Forum will allow us to assess our progress in involving civil society representatives in all aspects of our work. At the same time, it is an important occasion for considering the potential and prospects of future collaboration. Together, we can identify possible pitfalls and formulate comprehensive strategies for strengthening our alliance.

The United Nations and civil society have a common vision of a world where all individuals can fulfil their potential in peace and prosperity. It is our joint mission to transform our ideas into practice. We can only do it in close, constructive and transparent co-operation.

The high turnout at this Forum testifies to the dynamism and vitality of NGOs across the globe. The wide-ranging agenda for the coming days illustrates the broad interest and firm commitment of participants here. The diverse items on the agenda are also vivid examples of how in the era of globalization, local concerns require universal responses. As economies and peoples grow ever more connected and interdependent - for better and sometimes for worse – the remedy for community problems is not to disengage from the wider world. On the contrary, development in the neighbourhood, in the district, or in the region depends on international initiatives. Our shared challenge is to find creative and viable solutions at the global level that have a definite and lasting impact in the local sphere. Your presence here demonstrates that you recognize this, and that you direct your advocacy and actions accordingly.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I strongly believe that international peace, security and development can only be achieved through strong, innovative partnerships between all stakeholders. To ensure that our partnership grows even more effective and influential, I see two main challenges ahead: integrating the increasing numbers of governmental representatives in our work, and encouraging NGO expansion in developing countries.

Statistics speak plainly of rapid growth in the civil society sector. For example, the Rio Earth Summit ten years ago gathered 1,400 accredited organizations with 20,000 participants. At the forthcoming follow-up – the World Summit on Sustainable Development – in Johannesburg, it is expected that over 3,000 organizations with almost 40,000 representatives will be present. These figures present a positive challenge to both the UN and the NGO community. It is imperative that growing numbers do not lead to fragmentation, division and duplication of efforts. Instead, the widening ranks of NGOs should lead to consolidation and reinforcement of activities. Co-ordination and collaboration is needed at all levels to make the most of the enlargement of civil society. This Forum is an essential platform for a thorough debate of how to maximize the capacities of all civil society associations. Statistics, however, mask pronounced disparities between civil society involvement in the developing and the developed world. Our common objective is an inclusive, tolerant international society where all individuals can participate and contribute. To achieve this aim, the process of reaching it also needs to be as inclusive as possible. Galvanizing NGOs in developing countries to become catalysts for change in their regions is, therefore, of concern to the UN. It is in everybody's interest that civil society participation is as broad as possible. This is crucial to fulfilling the ambitious and necessary goals of the Millennium Declaration. Civil society is indispensable in attaining sustainable development, instituting good governance and combating HIV/AIDS and terrorism.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is commonly recognized that non-governmental organizations are powerful advocates for change. They highlight pressing issues; they focus the public's sometimes fleeting attention; they prompt government into action. NGO efforts in connection with the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines and the establishment of the International Criminal Court are just a few, prominent examples. But NGOs are much more than successful lobby groups. At a very practical level, they empower people to take charge of their own destinies and to make a real difference to their own communities. They are living models of democracy.

It is my hope that this Forum will help promote and intensify both aspects of civil society activity. I wish you great success in your discussions and deliberations.

Thank you for your kind attention.