UNCTAD, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, heldits first public symposium on 18-19 May 2009 on the global economiccrisis and development. Focused on three themes, the symposium broughttogether members of civil society, international organizations, MemberStates, other United Nations agencies, parliamentarians, members of theprivate sector, academia and the media.
Participants discussed the crisis' causes and impacts, assessedcurrent responses to the crisis at the international, regional andnational levels for any limitations or best practices, and madeproposals for the way forward, including possible obstacles andopportunities.
CESR made an oral statement to the discussion on ways forward,reminding fellow participants of the importance of action from a humanrights framework. Its contribution (delivered by Shira Stanton) can beheard here.
The Chairperson of the third Plenary Session, Martin Khor, theExecutive Director of South Centre, recognized the need for such ahuman rights framework in his summary remarks. His remarks can be heardhere.