(Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 13 June 2008) With the approval of 13 final resolutions, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) closed its Thirty-second Session, the most important biennial meeting of this United Nations regional body.
ECLAC Executive Secretary José Luis Machinea and the Minister of Economy, Planning and Development of the Dominican Republic, Juan Temístocles Montás, presided over the closing ceremony.
During four days, delegates from 39 countries discussed issues related to the economic, social and environmental development of the region, examined ECLAC activities in the preceding biennium, and set the priorities of its work programme for the following two years.
Participants also analysed the document Structural Change and Productivity Growth, 20 Years Later. Old problems, new opportunities, in which the Commission proposes a medium and long-term strategy to foment development in Latin America and the Caribbean through productive diversification, innovation and public-private alliances.
In the "Santo Domingo Resolution", delegates valued this document and its comprehensive approach to development, which has characterized ECLAC's theoretical vision since its creation. They also acknowledged the relevance of the issues addressed in the document and shared its conclusions.
The delegates especially requested ECLAC to undertake efforts to examine the challenges posed to the region in face of the current world energy and food crisis, through specialized research. They also asked the Commission to convene a government experts meeting on the issue promptly.
In addition, participants requested that the Commission's Executive Secretary carry out research and set forth proposals for public and scientific-technological policies in order to strengthen national capabilities and identify successful public-private initiatives that may be adapted and applied in other national or regional contexts.
Delegates resolved to hold the next session in 2010 in Brazil, and that it include a meeting to review progress in productive development policies and innovation, with emphasis on national systems.
Country delegates resolved to approve ECLAC's work programme for the 2010-2011 biennium and extended its legal mandate to implement programmes, projects and technical cooperation activities, as well as put out periodic publications.
See also:
The document Structural Change and Productivity Growth, 20 Years Later. Old problems, new opportunities, and information on the Commission's Thirty-second Session are available on the ECLAC website, following this link. For further information, please contact Pilar Bascuñán, Officer-in-charge of ECLAC's Information Services Unit. Tel +56 9 3376207 or +56 2 2102380; Email: pilar.bascunan cepal.org |
