Statement of H.E. Mr. Kassymzomart K. Tokayev, on "Exchange of views on efficiency and effectiveness of the regional organizations"

Annex-IV

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

          Efficacy of regionalism is increasingly becoming a topic of international interest. There are some dissenting voices that question the role of Regionalism in a world that is increasingly becoming global.

 

          No matter how radical these voices may seem, we find in these though simplistic but noble themes

 

We agree, some day, world would be more global than regional, but by then there would be one international norm of conducting business not only between states but also between business interests. We can foresee a world where there is a free flow of capital, information and labour etc based on comparative advantage. We can also foresee a world which is equitable; where amount and quality of labour is rewarded with right renumeration; where there are no pockets of poverty or disease or isolation. This is also our dream of globally interdependent world.

 

          But before this happens, we have to prepare our present day world for this ideal. This is a challenge facing all of us. The solution to our present day issues are found in good, old, tried ‘Regionalism”. As all “isms”, this “isms” is also temporary and our real objective is truly interdependent world.

    

The question remains how regionalism deals with our present day problems and prepares this present day world for our ideal.

 

          First of all, we have to see what are our present day problems or issues are.

 

Our biggest issue is poverty. Though there are various causes of poverty like civil wars, over population etc which may be beyond the mandate of economic organizations and there could be other organizations more suited to deal with these causes; but here, we are talking about poverty, which is a consequence of inequitable international trade and all the development issues which are integral part of any poverty alleviation strategies.

 

We know, present day international trade lacks level playing field. Rules and regulations of international trade are pitted against disadvantaged countries. Equivalent amount of labour is not rewarded equally particularly between a developed and disadvantaged country. Transfer of knowledge and technology, to the developing countries is also restricted. Agriculture and several other areas where developing countries might have comparative advantage, is neutralized by subsidies or different type of trade restrictions from least developed countries. As a result, developing countries do not get a fair trade deal and people remain perpetually poor.

 

This is the area where regional organizations can work. These can play a useful role to improve the bargaining position of its members. These can provide a platform to organize thoughts and strategy for collective bargaining for their commodities or other products. Another asset of regional organizations is their political clout. When more than one countries are speaking with one voice, it is likely to be heard with greater consideration in related international fora. World Trade Organization has acknowledged the role of regional organizations. Several other international trade negotiations that are going on around the globe are making it too apparent the need for truly effective regional organizations.

 

Another issue that regional organizations are called upon to address is the issue of regional integration. Before we live in a truly integrated global village, we as regional organizations are called upon to integrate our countries with each other in our region in such a way as to make global integration harmonious.

 

Regional organizations are best suited to take first step towards global integration. These are great platforms for regional trade negotiations, for transport linkages between countries in the region as well as for linking energy resources between regional countries as well as between regions.

 

Environment and health are also primarily regional issues. Several countries in a region share oceans, rivers, stream, forests, atmosphere etc. Oil spill in the territorial waters of one country can effect life in neighboring country. Over exploitation of natural resources or utilization without regard to environment can affect all economies in a region. These are not purely internal issues.

 

People have common family ties across border. There are issues of cross border local trade and other border issue. All these are first and foremost regional issues

 

Regional organizations also provide a forum for meeting with neighboring country at the highest level as well as at the level of officials. Bilateralism is also embedded in multilateralism. It also offers an opportunity for flowering of bilateral relations between countries in the region.

 

Therefore in a nutshell, I can say that as long as there is a need for regional organizations, these will keep on gaining strength. It will be more apt to say that these organizations are called upon to shoulder their responsibilities in an era where most global solutions touted as panacea still need sometime to become workable.

 

ASEAN is a model of a successful regional organization. ECO is comparatively a new regional organization which just last year celebrated its first decade of expanded existence. We have successfully negotiated several trade agreements recently. We are also working to link transport and power connections of our member states. We are devising a plan of active cooperation in energy and environment sector.

 

Excellencies,

 

Our stature and our contribution are increasingly being recognized internationally but apart from our efforts and what we do, we are also interested in learning new approaches to development and cooperation. We believe in integrated region and integrated world. We see our role as facilitator of development of global economy and that is why we are relevant even more so. We as regional organizations are a major proponent of sustainable development which is an answer to all poverty issues. We want to work with ASEAN and we want to learn jointly with ASEAN for the benefit of our two regions.

 

Thank you, Excellencies, for bearing with me.

 

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