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Draft Communiqué:
Denver Summit of the Eight
June 14, 1997
The publication of this document is the sole responsibility of the G8 Research Group.
Introduction
I. Economic and Social Issues
II. Global Issues
III. Africa: Partnership for Development
IV. Political Issues
Next Summit
2. Continuing the important steps we have taken, the Denver Summit of the Eight marks a new and deeper participation by Russia in our efforts. Russia has taken bold measures to complete its historic transformation into a market democracy. We are committed to continue the trend of increased Russian participation in the work of our officials between summits. Cooperation to integrate Russians economy in the global economic system represents one of our most important priorities.[We endorsed Russia's commitment to fully implement its EFF program with the IMF.] We will work together to reach agreement on the conditions of Russia's early participation as a creditor in the Paris Club, and support the goal of early Russian accession to the WTO on the basis of [commercial] conditions generally applicable to newly acceding members. We also look forward to continued Russian progress toward accession to the OECD.
3. The process of globalization, a major factor underlying the growth of world prosperity in the last fifty years, is now advancing rapidly and broadly. Globalization encompasses the expansion of cross-border flows of ideas and information, goods and services, technology and capital. More openness and integration across the global economy create opportunities for increased prosperity as countries specialize in those economic activities which they do best, while also promoting increased competition and efficiency, and the rapid spread of technological innovations. Our task, as we enter the 21st Century, is to make the most of these opportunities.
4. At the same time, globalization may create new challenges. The increasing openness and interdependence of our economies, with deep trade linkages and ever greater flows of private capital, means that problems in one county can spill over more easily to affect the rest. We must cooperate to maintain global economic and financial stability. We must also ensure that all segments of society, and indeed all countries across the globe, have the opportunity to share in the prosperity made possible by global integration and technological innovations. It is particularly important that young adults see the path to a successful life, and be adequately prepared to follow that path.
5. Rapid technological change and demographic shifts are also having an important impact on the global economy. We must take advantage of the possibilities for growth the address unemployment and economic insecurity. Sound economic policies and the structural reforms necessary to allow markets to function properly are essential if we are to meet the many domestic and international challenges we all face. Measures that expand the availability of high quality education and training and increase the responsiveness of labor markets to economic conditions will aid the ability of our people to adjust to all types of structural changes. We look forward to the high-level conference on employment that takes place this fall in Japan, which is expected to contribute to the discussion on responses to structural changes. We also welcome the proposal by the Untied Kingdom to host a conference of Finance and Social Affairs Ministers early next year on growth, employability, and inclusion, to prepare for further discussion of these vital issues at our meeting next year.
6. Increased life expectancy and improved health among our elderly are two major achievements of this century. In the next century, these successes will present us with both opportunities and challenges, as longer life expectancies and lower birth rates significantly raise the proportion of seniors in our countries' populations. Prime Minister Hashimoto's "Initiative for a Caring World" has provided us the opportunity to focus on the implications of these developments.
7. We discussed the idea of "active aging" -- the desire and ability of many older people to continue work or other socially productive activities well into their later years, and agreed that old stereotypes of seniors as dependent should be abandoned. We considered new evidence suggesting that disability rates among seniors have declined in some countries while recognizing the wide variation in the health of older people. We discussed how our nations can promote active aging of our older citizens with due regard to their individual choices and circumstances, including removing disincentives to labor force participation and lowering barriers to flexible and part-time employment that exist in some countries. In addition, we discussed the transition from work to retirement, life-long learning and ways to encourage volunteerism and to support family care-giving.
8. We examined the differing implications of population aging for our nations' pension, health and long- term care systems in the next century. Active aging strategies can be a useful way to advance structural reforms in the areas of health and social welfare. Some of our countries face major challenges in sustaining their public pension systems and would benefit from early action to restore balance. Different ways were suggested to address this issue, including increasing the labor force participation of seniors, particularly those in their fifties and early sixties, and raising national savings rates. Investing in human capital, including maximizing opportunities for life-long learning were mentioned as ways to facilitate the continued work preparedness of mature adults. Some countries will be more affected by the demands of health care financing for seniors. We concluded that efficient and effective management of this challenge should help us to meet the needs of an aging society without overburdening younger generations.
9. We agreed that it is important to learn from one another how our policies and programs can promote active aging and advance structural reforms to preserve and strengthen our pension, health and long-term care systems. Our governments will work together within the OECD and with other international organizations, to promote active aging through information exchanges and cross-national research. We encourage collaborative biomedical and behavioral research to improve active life expectancy and reduce disability, and have directed our officials to identify gaps in our knowledge and explore developing comparable data in our nations to improve our capacity to address the challenges of population aging into the 21st century.
10. The contributions of small and medium-sized enterprises to employment and economic dynamism in our societies are widely recognized. Fostering a business setting conducive to the growth of dynamic young enterprises is a key to job creation. In our discussion, we surveyed the obstacles to such growth, including the unavailability of debt or equity capital at critical stages of a firm's growth, unnecessary regulation, difficulties adopting existing innovative technologies, and the problems of smaller businesses in entering global markets. We stress the need to remove these obstacles. We also examined some exemplary practices within our countries to promote the growth of small and medium-sized companies, as well as vocational training and education within these companies, and considered how we might benefit from these successes. Best practices in our countries could also be useful examples for developing and transition-market economies, as development of small and medium-sized enterprises favors creation of jobs and social stability, disseminates entrepreneurial capacities and helps to promote and diversify exports.
11. Even as global integration and rapid advances in communications and transportation have spurred economic growth, these same trends have exposed us to complex problems that defy unilateral solutions. In recent years our Summits have devoted increasing attention to our cooperative efforts to confront these problems.
12. This is a pivotal year for efforts to promote sustainable development and protect the environment. We are determined to address the environmental challenges that will affect the quality of life of future generations and to enhance public awareness, especially among our youth, of the importance of advancing sustainable development goals.
13. We discussed the progress that has been made since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit in defining and promoting sustainable development, and we commit ourselves to taking action in areas critical to advancing this agenda. Sustainable development demands the full integration of environment, economic and social policies; should be based upon democratic governance and respect for human rights; and should have poverty eradication as one of its ultimate objectives. In this connection, we reaffirm the vital contribution of civil society. We urge the United Nations General Assembly, at its Special Session to be held next week, to reaffirm and give impetus to the Rio commitments, to take stock of implementation since Rio, and, most importantly, to develop a manageable list of priority issues to address in future work on sustainable development.
14. We are determined to take the lead and show seriousness of purpose
in strengthening international efforts to confront climate change. We must forge
at the Third Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change in Kyoto, a strong agreement that fully meets the remit of the
Berlin mandate, and that contains legally binding emission limitation and
reduction targets. We support an agreement that will advance us toward the
ultimate goal of stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses at
an acceptable level in an efficient and cost-effective way [, and that allows
Signatories appropriate flexibility in the manner in which they would meet the
targets]. We are committed to achieve emissions targets that
[are meaningful, realistic and equitable, and which maintain accountability and
transparency.]
[are meaningful, realistic and equitable, that maintain accountability and
transparency, and are effective in limiting and reducing green-house gas
emissions in the post-2000 era.]
[substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels for the years
2005, 2010, and 2020. Developed countries should, individually or jointly,
reduce emissions levels by the year 2010 by 15% with respect to 1990. They
should also commit themselves to common and coordinated policies and
measures that would help us avoid competitive distortions and achieve
ambitious targets.]
[reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly below 1990 levels by 2005 and
2010, with coordinated policies and measures.]
[significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2005 and
2010.]
15. Action by developed countries alone will not be sufficient to meet this goal. Measurable steps will also be needed by developing countries, and their obligations will increase as their economies grow. We agree to work in partnership with them to that effect. In this context, we resolve to facilitate the development of environmental technology and its diffusion to developing countries. We also will work with developing countries to build environmental capacity and to promote environmental education.
16. We stress the importance of setting up an appropriate mechanism for monitoring and ensuring compliance among Parties. We also agreed to work together to enhance international efforts to further develop global systems for monitoring climate change and other environmental trends.
17. Forests continue to be destroyed and degraded at alarming rates in
many parts of the world. To reverse this trend, we call on all countries to work
with us to begin implementation of the proposals for action put forward by the
UNCSD Inter-governmental Panel on Forests and to develop constructive
programs, inter alia, to implement national forest programs for sustainable forest management, establish networks of protected
areas, assess the state of each nation's forests using agreed criteria and
indicators, harness responsible private sector investment in forests and
eliminate illegal logging. We welcome the progress made in implementing the
Brazilian Pilot Program initiated in Houston. We urge the Special Session of the
United Nations
[to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an
international convention to ensure the conservation and sustainable
management of the world's forests. This negotiation should be completed by the
year 2000.]
[to launch an intergovernmental initiative for coordinated action to promote
national transparency and accountability and to build further consensus on
global issues, including on the advisability of initiating a global forest
convention.]
18. Many people throughout the world do not have access to safe water. Increased human, industrial and agricultural wastes can diminish water quality, with adverse effects for ecosystems and human health and safety, particularly for children. The Special Session of the UN General Assembly should encourage the CSD to develop a practical plan of action to address freshwater- related issues, including promotion of efficient water use, improvement of water quality and sanitation, technological development and capacity building, public awareness and institutional improvements. To achieve these objectives, we have also agreed to promote bilateral and regional cooperation on freshwater concerns, and to enhance coordination of our efforts in this area.
19. We must strengthen our efforts to protect the world's oceans. We will work to ensure an effective and integrated effort to deal with key concerns, including sustainable fishing, shipping, marine pollution from land-based and off-shore activities, and oil spill prevention and emergency response. In this connection, we will also enhance cooperation in monitoring the ecology in the Northern Pacific, as well as in forecasting earthquakes and tsunamis in this region.
20. Private sector financial flows supported by official export credit agencies (ECAs) of the industrial nations have a significant impact on sustainable development worldwide. Governments can help promote sustainable practices by taking environmental factors into account when providing export credits and/or credit insurance for investments in infrastructure [and equipment]. We encourage the OECD [Participants Group] to develop common environmental guidelines for all export credit agencies as expeditiously as possible [, with the aim of implementin the guidelines by the Mayy 1999 OECD ministerial]. In the interim we encourage ECAs to exchange information and develop the necessary technical expertise on environmental matters.
21. Protecting the health of our children is a shared fundamental value. Children throughout the world face significant threats to their health from an array of environmental hazards, and we recognize particular vulnerabilities of children to environmental threats. Our governments will explicitly incorporate children into environmental risk assessments and standard setting and together will work to strenthen information exhange, provide for microbiologically safe drinking water, and reduce children's exposure to lead, environmental tobacco smoke and other air pollutants.
22. Strong international institutions are essential to coordinating global efforts to protect the environment and to achieve sustainable development.
23. The UNGA Special Session should confirm the role of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) as the strategic forum for integrating the social, environmental and economic aspects of sustainable development. The CSD should develop action plans with concrete objectives and timetables to guide its work in the four agreed priority areas: freshwater; oceans; land resources, including forests; and sustainable energy use.
24. To ensure an effective response to urgent global environmental problems, we have supported the refocused mandate for the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), the leading global environmental authority, as affirmed by the UNEP Governing Council in Nairobi this year. UNEP should promote the coherent implementation of environmental protection within the UN system and serve as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The newly formed High-level Committee of Environmental Ministers and Officials should consider the international environmental agenda and elaborate upon and advance the reforms needed to ensure UNEP's effectiveness, with a particular emphasis on greater policy, program and financial accountability. We look forward to a revitalized UNEP being able to attract the resources neded for its tasks.
25. In the medium term, further efforts may be necessary to ensure the long- term coherence and efficiency of the UN's work on the environment. We encourage the Secretary General to review the handling of environmental matters within the UN system and to explore possible means and structures to improve further the coordination among, and effectiveness of, the concerned institutions.
26. We reaffirm the importance of the Global Environmental Facility as the leading multilateral funding mechanism for the global environment. We will work to strenghthen its finances and enhance its effectiveness. In this regard, we will each do our part to contribute to a successful replenishment of the Facility.
27. Infectious diseases, including childhood pneumonia, diarrhea, tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS are responsible for a third of all deaths in the world. They pose significant challenges to the health, security, and financial resources of the global community. In many parts of the world, infectious diseases and deaths from infectious disease have risen sharply in the last decade for a variety of reasons, including the emergence of drug-resistant microbes and the increased movement of people and products.
28. In the coming year, our governments will promote more effective coordination of international responses to outbreaks; promote development of a global surveillance network, building upon existing national and regional surveillance systems; and help to build public health capacity to prevent, detect and control infectious diseases globally. Central to this work will be strenghtening and linking existing activities in and among each of our countries, and in other fora, especially the World Health Organization. [We support the efforts of the WHO and endorse the recent World Health Assembly resolutions regarding the quality of biological and pharmaceutical products.]
29. Preventing the transmission of HIV infection and the development of AIDS is an urgent global public health imperative. While other prevention and treatment methods must be pursued, in the long term the development of safe and effective vaccines against AIDS holds the best chance of limiting, and eventually eliminating, the threat of this disease. We will work to provide the resources necessary to accelerate AIDS vaccine research, and together will enhance international scientific cooperation and collaberation. Cooperation among scientists and governments in the developed and developing world and international agencies will be critical. We call on other states to join us in this endeavor.
30. The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) must help expand the scale and quality of the response to HIV/AIDS. As a group and with others, we will work to assure that it has resources adequate to fulfill its mandate.
32. We note with satisfaction the entry into force by the Nuclear Safety Convention and the preparations now underway for the first review meeting to be held in April 1999. We applaud the rapid progress made in developing the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management and encourage finalization. We welcome the forthcoming adoption of the Protocol to amend the Vienna Convention on civil liability for nuclear damage and of a new Supplementary Funding Convention as called for at the Moscow Nuclear Summit. [Each of our governments will give early consideration to joining these new conventions.] These conventions will facilitate international safety cooperation and provide for increased compensation for victims in the event of a nuclear accident.
33. Market-oriented energy policies can promote sustainable energy use, energy investment and trade. We request that our officials prepare a concept paper to set the agenda for a proposed Ministerial in Moscow dealing with our shared interests in deregulation, privatization, pipeline transit issues, nuclear safety, and links between energy and the environment.
34. We remain committed to combating transnational organized crime, and have worked actively to implement the forty recommendations agreed upon at Lyon. We have taken action within our own borders and with one another, and strengthened cooperation bilaterally, multilaterally, and with other nations and groups to bring criminals to justice through mutual legal assistance and extradition, to promote cooperation among our law enforcement agencies, to strengthen document security and improve strategies to combat alien smuggling, and to prevent illegal trafficking in firearms. In the coming year, we will continue our efforts with a special focus on high-tech crimes such as those involving computer and telecommunications technology and, as appropriate, other new trends in transnational organized criminal activity.
35. We are determined to intensify our efforts to combat the production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs, which represent a global threat to the safety of our citizens, and the well-being of our societies and institutions. Reaffirming the common responsibility of all concerned States, we recognize that a successful strategy to combat illicit drugs requires effective action against both the supply and the demand for such drugs. We stress the importance of demand reduction. Together with strict law enforcement against use of drugs, programs aimed at treatment and rehabilitation, education and prevention are of major importance in our fight against drugs.
36. We have asked our appropriate government agencies to build on their established patterns of cooperation to address this common threat. In particular, we will study mechanisms that would assist in the development of healthy, drug- free economies in all States; support further efforts to share relevant information on money-laundering, chemical precursors, new synthetic drugs, trafficking patterns and methods, and other data; and will work together to strengthen the capabilities of law enforcement insititutions to combat illicit drugs. Our governments will work together to develop the agenda for the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs in June 1998.
37. We reaffirm our determination to combat terrorism in all forms, irrespective of motive. We oppose concessions to terrorist demands and are determined to deny hostage-takers any benefits from their acts. We welcome the growing consensus on adopting effective and legitimate means of countering terrorism.
38. Last year, our Ministers adopted twenty-five recommendations to combat terrorism. We have received a positive response worldwide, in particular in the UN General Assembly. Together we have made substantial progress on many of these recommendations, including: drafting and negotiating a UN convention on terrorist bombing; promoting improved international standards for airport security, explosives detection, and vehicle identification; promoting stronger laws and export controls on the manufacture, trade and transport of explosives; initiating a directory of counter-terrorism competencies; inviting all States to promote the use of encryption which may allow, consistent with OECD guidelines, lawful government access to combat terrorism.
39. We have asked our Ministers to intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure that by the year 2000 all States join the international counterterroism conventions specified in the 1996 UN resolution on measures to counter terrorism. We have instructed our officials to take additional steps to strengthen the capability of hostage negotiation experts and counterterrorism response units; to exchange information on technologies to detect and deter the use of materials of mass destruction in terrorist attacks; to develop means to deter terrorist attacks on electronic and computer infrastructure; to strengthen maritime security; to exchange information on security practices for international special events; and to strengthen international cooperation and consultation.
43. In order for the UN to cope with the challenges of the 21st century, financial reform should proceed together with necessary reform measures in other areas. The UN system must be placed on a firm financial footing through full and timely payment of obligations, and development of a more logical and equitable scale of assessments. Budgets throughout the UN system should be scrutinized with emphasis on prioritization and maximum operating efficiency. We look forward to the Secretary General's specific proposals for reinvesting savings from improved cost-effectiveness in high priority development programs. Robust oversight mechanisms and sound personnel policies are essential for success.
44. The urgent challenges of economic and social development require the UN to coordinate more effectively the policies and activities of its various bodies including the specialized agencies. To this end, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSIC), supported by the Under Secretary Genera for economic and social issues, should strengthen its policy and coordination role, in particular through streamlining its subsidiary bodies and improving its working relationship with international financial institutions and the WTO. We welcome the recent reforms in the governance of the funds and programs as well as in the various UN bodies, in particular at UNCTAD and in the regional commissions; these efforts should be sustained and expanded.
45. We call for a thorough and urgent review of the UN's funds and programs, as well as a system-wide review of the roles and mandates of specialized agencies and commissions. We welcome the Secretary General's recommendations for strengthened integration at the country level and better coordination at headquarters. In this context, we recommend the UN undertake performance evaluations of the coordination of its development activities in a range of representative countries. We expect the least developed countries to be the principal beneficiaries of improved efficiency in the UN's development work.
46. We reaffirm that the UN must further improve its ability to act quickly and effectively to address threats to international peace and security including by reforming its institutions. We will continue to help develop the capacities of the UN in preventing and resolving conflicts. We support steps taken recently by the UN to strengthen its capacity for rapid reaction from the early warning stage to the stage of rapid deployment of new, approved, peace keeping operations and urge continued improvements in these areas.
48. We are encouraged by positive developments, including the adoption of democratic and economic reforms in many Sub-Saharan African countries. Since 1990, more than twenty African nations have held free and fair elections. Democratic governance and the rule of law, in Africa as elsewhere, lay the foundation for human rights, including the rights of women, and sustainable development. We commend those African countries that have set an example by undertaking democratic reforms, improving rule of law and administration of justice, avoiding unproductive expenditures (including excessive military expenditures), and strengthening public institutions and civil society. We will support African efforts to promote democracy and good governance, improve the integrity of public institutions, enhance the transparency of government spending, in particular of procurement, and develop national anti-bribery regulations.
49. Increased prosperity ultimately depends upon creating an environment for domestic capital formation, private sector-led growth and successful integration into global markets. We are encouraged by the increasing number of Sub-Saharan countries that have made progress toward financial sustainability through fiscal and financial practices and have adopted growth and market oriented economic policies, including trade liberalization and investment climate improvement. These initiatives have produced a welcome acceleration of growth since 1994. We expect the international financial institutions to play an important role in supporting reform in Sub-Saharan African countries. Their support should help to promote productive foreign direct investment and domestic capital formation. We look forward to the IFIs reporting on their efforts by the time of the Hong Kong World Bank/IMF meetings.
50. Trade policy is key to development for Sub-Saharan Africa. Trade liberalization by African countries will promote more efficient utilization of resources. At the same time, access to our markets is a crucial tool for fostering economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. We each will continue to improve, through various means, access to our markets for African exports. We support the further integration of the least developed countries into the world trading system. In this regard, African countries will be a major beneficiaries of efforts in the WTO on a plan of action to provide, inter alia, predictable and favorable market access conditions for least developed countries. We are committed to the effective implementation of this plan and intend to participate actively in the high-level WTO/UNCTAD/International Trade Center meeting later this year. We welcome African initiatives for regional trade liberalization and economic cooperation.
51. Consistent with WTO obligations, we will consider ways to enhance opportunities for the Sub-Saharan African countries that need them most and are undertaking effective reform measures. We will review our own bilateral aid and trade promotion programs to ensure that they support climates conducive to economic growth and private investment, including by strengthening capacity.
52. Substantial flows of official development assistance will continue to play an essential role in building the capacity of Sub-Saharan African countries to achieve their development objectives. We are committed to a results-oriented approach to development policy, particularly in alleviating poverty. But development assistance alone cannot overcome inappropriate policies. We will work with African countries to ensure adequate and well-targeted assistance for those countries which have the greatest need and carry out the necessary broad-based reforms. This assistance will include support for democratic governance, respect for human rights, sound public administration, efficient legal and judicial systems, infrastructure development, rural development, food security, environmental protection and human resource development, including health and education of their people. In this regard, we will work to strengthen cooperation among concerned institutes to facilitate and coordinate capacity building efforts.
53. To maximize the effectiveness of our efforts, we will deepen the dialogue with African partners, work for greater local ownership of development strategies and encourage the participation of non-governmental actors. We will also strengthen donor coordination, including with emerging donors. We welcome and fully support the emerging trend of intra-regional and inter- regional cooperation to further African development.
54. The United Nations plays a major role in development in Africa, and African countries will be major beneficiaries of reform of the UN economic and social development activities. We encourage the UN's development funds and programs and specialized agencies, to emphasize work in the field in Africa and to fully integrate and coordinate their efforts, both at the headquarters and at the country level. We are encouraged by the Economic Commission on Africa's efforts to energize and focus its activities. The UN Development Program's decision to allocate a portion of its resources based on program quality is a useful approach to assuring effectiveness, and we urge that it be adopted more broadly in the UN's work.
55. A number of African countries are making impressive efforts to harness the information revolution in support of democracy and sustainable development. We welcome the Africa Information Society Initiative. We support their efforts to establish information networks to link African countries with each other and to the rest of the world. In this regard, we welcome the Toronto Global Knowledge '97 Conference.
56. We applaud African leadership in developing effective local capacities in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconciliation and recovery. We will support African peace-building initiatives at the regional, sub-regional and national levels, in particular by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), taking into account the recent OECD Guidelines on Conflict, Peace, and Development Cooperation, and we will help to forge active partnerships with the United Nations and other donors. We encourage the UN Secretary General, as part of his reform efforts, to identify ways the international community can further strengthen Africa's initiatives. We also call for the expanded utilization of the existing UN Trust Fund for African peacekeeping and conflict prevention, as well as other relevant UN funds; and broader and substantial donor commitments to the OAU and to subregional bodies with specialized mechanisms for conflict mediation, as well as to the UN/OAU Special Envoy to the Great Lakes.
57. We reaffirm our support for long-term efforts to promote rapidly deployable African peacekeeping capacities. We welcome closer coordination among African Troop-contributing countries, regional organizations, donors, and the UN in the development of training, joint exercise, common peacekeeping doctrine, and other efforts to ensure inter-operability. [We also look forward to the establishment of an African Peacekeeping Support Group at the UN, and we urge interested countries to actively explore mechanisms for coordination of practical activities.]
58. We express our grave concern at the recent attacks against refugees as well as against personnel of refugee and humanitarian organizations. We emphasize that host States must prevent such acts and prosecute the perpetrators.
59. We have requested that our officials report to us prior to next year's Summit in Birmingham about the efforts they have undertaken together to implement all aspects of this partnership.
60. Together, we are pursuing a strategy of global integration to create a more secure and stable international community. Already, we have used our political cooperation to broaden and deepen the community of open markets and open societies, and in the next year we will work together to build on these efforts. Our Partnership for Development is designed explicitly to support the economic and political development of nations which run the risk of being marginalized from the process of integration. We will focus our energies on strengthening adherence to the norms and principles of international cooperation, and will work together to take effective measures against those who threaten those objectives. We recognize our common interest and responsibility in helping bring an end to conflicts that threaten to disturb international peace and to undermine our deepened cooperation.
61. Recent years have seen an unprecedented growth of democracy worldwide. Yet young democratic states can be fragile and short-lived. We have a responsibility and opportunity to further strengthen democratic values and fundamental freedoms where they have taken hold and extend their reach where they have not.
62. Human rights are at the heart of our concerns. Ensuring accountability for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law is essential to promote conflict resolution and peace. The new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will have a crucial role to play. We will continue to give full support to the International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and work to ensure that the international community and States concerned bring to justice through due process persons responsible for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
63. Recognizing that strengthening democracy is essential to strengthening peace and human rights, and looking to the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1998, we will work together in the coming year to build on our governments' most effective democratic development, peacebuilding and human rights programs. Our efforts will focus on promoting good governance and the rule of law, strengthening civil society, expanding women's political participation, and boosting business and labor support for democracy, particularly in young democracies and societies in conflict. The protection of the most underrepresented or vulnerable is critical to broaden participation in the democratic process and prevent societal conflict. We will work to ensure adoption and ratification of international instruments designed to provide protection to these groups, in particular the speedy adoption of an International Labor Organization Convention on the eradication of intolerable forms of child labor. We will work through multilateral and regional organizations, particularly with the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD as well as in partnership with non-governmental organizations and young democracies. We also will consider common efforts to promote democracy where it is not now established.
64. We have asked our Ministers to from a Working Group to coordinate these efforts and to make recommendations for consideration at our next Summit.
65. Democracy, economic growth and development cannot reach their full potential without good governance, in particular the accountability of political leaders and public servants, especially for corruption. We will actively work to eliminate corruption in aid-funded procurement and the cross-border payment of bribes to government officials. We will take immediate steps to criminalize the bribery of foreign public officials in commercial transactions and to eliminate the tax-deductibility of such bribes, and we call upon all other countries to do the same.
66. Since the Moscow Summit on Nuclear Safety and Security, we have taken important steps to implement the agreed "Programme for Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear Materials." We will expand participation in this program to include countries in Central and Eastern Europe, and in Central Asia. Further regarding the safe and effective management of fissile material, with respect to such materials no longer required for defense purposes, we will continue our cooperation through concrete initiatives, in particular the French-German-Russian project to build a pilot plant in Russia to produce MOX fuel from weapons plutonium, which is open to additional states, and the related U.S.-Russian cooperation on the conversion of weapons plutonium.
67. We have worked together to advance our common non-proliferation, arms control, and disarmament goals. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is an historic milestone, and we call upon all States to sign and ratify it rapidly to ensure its early entry into force. We welcome the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention. We advocate its full and effective implementation and look forward to the early ratification of the Convention by the States that have not yet done so. Recognizing that enhancing confidence in compliance would reinforce the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, we reaffirm our determination to develop a legally binding instrument to ensure its effective implementation.
68. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to full implementation of the objectives set forth in the Non- Proliferation Treaty. To that end, we welcome the IAEA's recent adoption of a program on strengthening the effectiveness and improving the efficiency of the safeguards system . We urge all States to conclude additional protocols with the IAEA at the earliest possible date. We reaffirm our commitment to the immediate commencement and early conclusion of a convention banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
69. We welcome the progress on strategic arms control made at Helsinki in March, and look forward to the early entry-into-force of the START II agreement and the initiation of START III negotiations. We reaffirm the key role of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty in strengthening European security, and welcome the decision to conclude its adaptation as expeditiously as possible. We welcome the recent agreement among Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and China on reduction of military forces along their borders and consider it an important contribution to the region's security.
70. We endorse unequivocally efforts by the UN Special Commission and the IAEA to eliminate weapons of mass destruction capabilities in Iraq and to monitor compliance. We reaffirm the importance of implementing the U.S. - DPRK Agreed Framework and full compliance by North Korea with its non-proliferation obligations. We therefore place great value on the continuing role of the IAEA in monitoring the freeze on North Korea's nuclear program, implementing safeguards, and helping preserve all information relating to the DPRK's past activity. We welcome the conclusion of negotiations for the EU to participate in the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) and call for further international support for KEDO, including the provision of funds, as well as the necessity of North-South dialogue. We call on North Korea to halt its development, deployment and export of ballistic missiles.
71. We welcome the emerging high-level dialogue between India and Pakistan. We encourage both countries to bring their activities into conformity with international non-proliferation norms. Consistent with our support for the CTBT's early entry into force, we encourage both countries to adhere to that treaty.
72. We recognize that global security and stability are strengthened by promoting international responsibility in the transfer of arms and sensitive technologies, and to that end reaffirm our support for the Wassenaar Arrangement. We welcome the steady achievements under the UN Register of Conventional Arms in promoting transparency in armaments. We encourage the work of the UN Panel of Governmental Experts on Small Arms to identify the ways and means to prevent and reduce the excessive and destabilizing transfer of small arms and light weapons and we will continue to work together to curb illegal trafficking in firearms.
73. We underline our support for the arrangements that make up the international export control regimes. The Zangger Committee and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, and, for those who are members, the Australia Group export control regime, all contribute critically to the global application and enforcement of international export control norms.
74. Last year we committed ourselves to spare no effort in securing a global ban on anti-personnel landmines. To this end, we support the effective and complementary efforts in a variety of fora, including at the Conference on Disarmament and in formal negotiations to take place in Oslo in September through the Ottawa Process with the goal of achieving such a ban [as soon as possible][before the end of the year]. We welcome the restrictions on anti-personnel landmines unilaterally declared by States, including by the members of the EU. We reaffirm the UN General Assembly resolution, approved overwhelmingly, calling for concluding an effective, legally-binding international agreement to ban anti-personnel landmines as soon as possible. All States should adhere to the strengthened Protocol on Mines, Booby Traps and Other Devices. We encourage the international community to develop technological solutions to mine detection and clearance, and to strengthen its support for humanitarian demining and assistance to mine victims.
75. We recognize the historic nature of China's imminent resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong. Considering our durable interests in this financial and economic center, we welcome and place weight on China's commitments, contained in the 1984 UK-PRC Joint Declaration and in the 1990 PRC Basic Law. These include ensuring Hong Kong's continued stability and prosperity and preserving its way of life, its high degree of autonomy -- including an independent monetary and economic system -- its fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. These will provide the essential underpinnings for Hong Kong's future economic success. We look forward to democratic elections in Hong Kong for a new legislature as soon as possible. We take serious note of China's assurances in the Join Declaration and Basic Law that the provisions of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will continue to apply in Hong Kong.
76. The momentous changes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo highlight the importance of peaceful democratic transition and the establishment of a broadly-based interim administration. We believe it is important to assist the new authorities in the transition to an elected government, promote respect for human rights, address urgent humanitarian needs, and facilitate economic renewal. We look forward to close cooperation with other donor countries, the United Nations, OAU, international financial institutions, and regional leaders in these efforts. The willingness of our governments to assist in the rebuilding of national institutions will depend on the new authorities' demonstrating their commitment to democratic reform, including elections, sound economic policies, public accountability and respect for human rights.
77. The progress accomplished in Haiti as a result of the Untied Nations Support Mission in Haiti, underlines the necessity of continued international assistance to maintain stability and promote democratization, and economic development. We will take positive note of the Secretary General's new recommendations on the nature of the international presence in Haiti subsequent to the termination of the current UNSMIH mandate. We urge that Haiti press forward with implementing its economic modernization program.
78. The Peace Process faces a crisis, and we are determined to reinject momentum into it. Restoring the sense of security and confidence among Israelis and Palestinians is essential. We shall do our utmost to reinvigorate implementation of the Oslo Accords and to uphold the principles of Madrid, including the exchange of land for peace. All the problems need to be addressed peacefully through serious and credible negotiations. Both sides must refrain from actions that impede the peace process by preempting permanent status negotiations. We believe strongly in the importance of working with Israel, Syria and Lebanon to resume direct talks in order to achieve a comprehensive settlement in the region. We welcome the important role the Monitoring Group has played in strengthening the Understanding of April 26, 1996 and in reducing risks to civilians in southern Lebanon and in Israel. We affirm the importance of the activities within the multilateral framework of the peace process.
79. Economic growth and prosperity are critical to peace. We urge regional parties to pursue economic cooperation among themselves and integration into the global economy. We welcome all efforts to promote the region's development, including assistance to the Palestinians, and urge donors to fulfill pledges made.
80. [We have noted with interest the results of the recent elections in Iran and renew our call upon the Government of Iran to play a constructive role in regional and world affairs. In this regard, while noting the role Iran played in inter-Tajik talks in conjunction with the United Nations and other regional parties, we call upon the Government of Iran to desist from material and political support for extremist groups that are seeking to destroy the Middle East peace process and to destabilize the region. We further call upon the Iranian Government to reject the use of terrorism, including against Iranian citizens living abroad, and, in that connection, to desist from endorsing the continued threat to the life of Mr. Salman Rushdie and other people associated with his work. We call on all States to avoid any cooperation with Iran that might contribute to efforts to acquire nuclear weapons capabilities, or to enhance chemical, biological, or missile capabilities in violation of international conventions or arrangements.]
81. We confirm our determination to obtain full compliance with all UN Security Council resolutions related to Iraq and Libya. Only full compliance with these resolutions could result in the lifting of sanctions. We are pleased to note that the distribution of food and medicine under UNSCR 986 is providing some humanitarian relief to the Iraqi people.
82. [In redraft.]
83. The Cyprus dispute has remained unresolved for far too long. We fully support the mission of good offices of the United Nations Secretary-General on Cyprus aimed at engaging the two Cypriot communities in negotiations to achieve a comprehensive settlement in accordance with relevant UN Resolutions and high- level agreements. We strongly endorse the Secretary-General's recent invitation to the leaders of both communities and call on them to approach negotiations constructively and in good faith.
84. Noting the situation in Albania and its implications for regional stability, we express our appreciation to those organizations and institutions, acting within the coordinating framework of the OSCE under the strong leadership of Franz Vranitzky -- especially the EU as well as the WEU, UNHCR and Red Cross -- that are working with the Government of National Reconciliation to restore normalcy in the country. We also applaud the deployment of the Multinational Protection Force under Italian leadership and the authority of the UN Security Council. We underscore the importance that the upcoming elections in Albania restore democratic legitimacy and urge that all parties work together to restore political order, resume economic reforms, create a sound financial system and reestablish public safety.
85. Noting the recent developments in Afghanistan, we call on all Afghan parties to stop the fighting and to work together towards the formation of a broadly representative central government that will protect the rights of all Afghans and abide by Afghanistan's international obligations. Taking into account risks of regional destabilization, peace and stability can best be attained through political negotiations under UN auspices with the active and coordinated assistance of all countries concerned and provided that all external interference ceases. All Afghan parties and concerned countries should abide by the provisions of recent resolutions on Afghanistan adopted by the UN Security Council and General Assembly.
86. We welcome the recent developments concerning the Four Party meeting proposal aimed at achieving permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, and we call upon the DPRK to agree to convene those talks without delay, as well as to engage seriously in North-South dialogue.
87. The recent political instability in Cambodia threatened to set back peace as well as the democratization process which Cambodian people established under the auspices of the UN in 1993. We strongly appeal to all Cambodian leaders to bring about political stability, civil order, and economic reconstruction through national reconciliation and good governance as well as through a free and fair election.
88. [We are concerned by the current situation in Myanmar and call on the government to make further efforts for democratization on the occasion of that nation's accession to ASEAN, particularly to enter into a meaningful political dialogue with leaders of the democratic opposition and ethnic minorities aimed at achieving a solution to the current situation.] [Concerned by the continuing widespread repression in Myanmar and the large-scale violations of human rights by the regime, we call on the SLORC to enter into a meaningful political dialogue with leaders of the democratic opposition and ethnic minorities aimed at achieving a solution to the current situation. We note the recent decision of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to admit Myanmar as a member of the organization in July and express the hope that the members of ASEAN will use their influence to encourage an early return to democracy in Myanmar.]
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