“They are expecting an effective implementation of previous promises,” said Jasim, right.

By Abdulhadi Ahmed, IOL Staff

DOHA , June 13, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad Bin Jasim criticized Monday, June 13, rich countries for failing to honor their promises to support development projects in the poor countries, though the latter made good on their obligations and pledges.

“We have thus kept our promises by meeting the requirements regarding the liberalization of our economies,” the minister told the Foreign Ministers meeting of the second summit of the Group of 77 and China due to kick off in Doha Wednesday, June 15.

“We have incorporated the social commitments into our national development strategy and adapted the management of our economy to the commitments we have taken,” he added.

The top Qatari diplomat said that the question now is “whether our partners have been up to their own commitment.”

“The answer is no, if we take into account the intensive discussions which took place in New York in the framework of preparations for the review of the implementation of the Millennium Declaration,” added Jasim.

He said that only a few developed countries have fulfilled the commitment they took several years ago to devote 0.7% of their GDP to official aid to development.

No More Pledges

Jasim said developing countries are in no need of any further unfulfilled pledges.

“They are expecting an effective implementation of previous promises,” he said.

Calling for a “clearly defined schedule for the implementation of these commitments,” the minister said the developing countries also have to make sure that the globalization process will comply with human values, justice and equity and promote prosperity for all peoples.

“We should spare no effort with a view to reaching an agreement on an effective agenda for development during the Summit to be organized next September within the framework of the UN General Assembly to examine the implementation of the provisions of the Millennium Declaration and of other summit meetings sponsored by the UN,” he said.

“We should also make sure that the interests of developing countries are fully taken into consideration in international and multilateral economic regulations.”

Weakening UN

The Qatari foreign minister further warned of “attempts” aimed at limiting the key role played by the United Nations regarding major economic issues and sidelining poor countries in the international decision-making process.

“The participation of developing countries in the decision-making process at international level is still pending,” he said.

“As a result, the influence of these countries on decisions regarding financial, monetary and commercial policies is all but significant,” he said.

The summit’s preparatory meetings began Sunday, June 12, at the experts’ level with the ultimate aim of changing its image of being no more than an aid seeker.

Bringing together heads of state and delegations from more than 132 countries, the summit and its fringe meetings discuss means of promoting South-South economic, social and political cooperation, North-South relations as well as UN reform.

Among world dignitaries who will attend the two-day summit are British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Luxembourg 's Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, whose country is holding the rotating EU presidency, and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Founded in 1964 to promote the collective economic interests of the developing world, the G77 and China constitutes the largest Third World voting bloc at the UN.

It eventually grew to encompass 132 countries, though the original name was retained.