Group of 15:

Happy marriage between idealism and pragmatism

Excerpts of the welcome statement by Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga at the opening of the High Level Task Force Meeting of the G 15 held on August 5, 2010 at the Central Bank, John Exeter International Conference Hall.

Group of Fifteen is of as much relevance today, as it was at its inception over 20 years ago. Its founding objectives of South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue have only become more critical in the current global economic environment.

We are looking ahead to recovering from the series of crises adversely affected especially the developing world, and to address new and long-standing challenges. Many have faced severe setbacks to our programs for economic and social advancement as a result of the past food, energy and economic crises. Some of us may have been derailed from our planned achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. New and emerging challenges in such areas as environment, health, trade and the global economy, require capacity and response, at a pace many of us may not be able to meet on our own. It is in this, at times adverse environment, that the Group can achieve its ultimate objectives- that of cooperation and mutual uplift amongst its Members. While our composition represents a diverse cross-section of the developing world, we have one thing in common - achievement of a better standard of life for the peoples of our countries.

A fitting vehicle

The spirit of mutual cooperation and unity embodied in the G 15 makes it a fitting vehicle to take these aspirations forward. However, we may acknowledge that the pace of the vehicle may have slowed down over the past years, so we must be encouraged that it has not yet come to a grinding halt. That it is still very much a roadworthy vehicle was clearly highlighted at the 14th Summit, from which this Task Force was born. Your presence at this meeting reinforces our collective belief this Group is absolutely capable of achieving its fullest, and yet untapped potential, and only requires a well-considered road map to place the Group back in the right direction.

This spirit of cooperation has already permeated the work of this Task Force. I congratulate you on the substantial progress that has been achieved in the preparation of this report. I am sure you would continue in this spirit, to fulfil the mandate given to us, to revitalize and take this Group forward.

I believe we are all agreed and committed to revitalizing and advancing the agenda and work of this Group. It is particularly encouraging to see the Task Force has achieved consensus on the Group’s direction - that achieving the development goals of its Members, and on the avenues of achieving these broad objectives, i.e. through practical forms of economics and other means of cooperation, through policy coordination and through increased dialogue with development partners. The achievement of consensus on this broad framework will go a long way to focusing our thoughts on how best these objectives can be achieved.

Identifying the gaps

It is not easy - to step back and examine ourselves critically to identify our gaps and weaknesses. Nevertheless, I believe this honest stocktaking allows us to identify lessons that we can learn, to prepare a practical and achievable blueprint for this Group based within the framework of its founding principles - in short, a happy marriage between idealism and pragmatism. Such a blueprint would ensure that this Group continues to fulfil its agenda and objectives to its maximum, and to prevent any discouragement from setting in.

It is evident from the preparatory work, that the Task Force will be fully committed to the presentation of recommendations which are workable and achievable. The area of projects is one of the most important mechanisms of cooperation in the Group. It is encouraging to note the framework emerging for clear guidelines and procedures for the identification and implementation of G15 projects, to ensure their long-term feasibility and success. This is an area, where we must learn from past mistakes and failures, as well as our successes. The diversity of experience, knowledge and development within this Group lends to a high level of successful cooperation amongst, and the empowerment of, all its Members, and should be exploited to the fullest.

Sri Lanka is also fully committed to contributing to this aspect of G15 cooperation, and is already in the process of identifying areas in which Sri Lanka has strengths which it can share with other members. A broad policy paper has been evolved, which would be made available to you today, to feed into the discussions on possible projects, would be undertaken after the consideration of the HLTF report by the Group’s Foreign Ministers.

A clear action plan

Enhancement of policy consultations and coordination is also an important role of the Group, which can benefit from a clear plan of action. As with technical cooperation, the diverse representation present within this Group provides an ideal environment for the formulation of common positions in key International fora, and the presentation of a collective voice on developing country concerns and challenges. The field is wide for areas of cooperation - the continuous shifting of the global dynamic means that we may not wish to pin down those areas in which the G15 can contribute its voice. This developing country voice continues to grow in strength and reach, and the group is well-placed to contribute to its continued growth and force.

In that same vein, the revitalization of the dialogue with development partners and other economic groupings is also an important avenue for the achievement of the Group’s objectives. Again, it is encouraging to note that the Group has achieved success in this dialogue exercise in the past.

We are extremely fortunate we have within our Group, a number of Members who are particularly visible on the global stage, and who have attained high levels of development. We look to them to lead the way in reinitiating this critical dialogue with our development partners.

We are a unique group. Many such groupings have come and gone, shifted boundaries, changed agendas. The G15 as a small but representative goal of developing countries has remained for 20 years, and has weathered both political and global economic storms of the greatest order. This exercise can only assure that the Group continues from strength to strength for many years to come.

[ G 15 objectives ]

* Cooperation
* Mutual uplift among members
* Achieving better living standard

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[ G15 countries]

Algeria
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Egypt
India
Indonesia
Iran
Jamaica
Kenya
Malaysia
Mexico
Nigeria
Senegal
Sri Lanka