From left to right: Mr. Bader Al-Dafa (Executive Secretary, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)), H.E. Ms. Tarja Halonen (President of Finland), Mr. Heiner Flassbeck (Director, Division on Globalization and Development Strategies, UNCTAD), Mr. Joe Baidoe-Ansah (Minister of Trade, Ghana), Mr. Danny Leipziger (Vice-President for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management, World Bank), Ms. Rachel Mayanja (Assistant Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women, United Nations), Ms. Patricia R. Francis (Executive Director, International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO) and H.E. Mr. Albert Koenders (Minister for Development Cooperation, Netherlands - Photo Credit: D. Anobil / ISD

“Unless the world refocuses its policies to address the adverse impact of globalization and economic inequality on development and poverty reduction, the poor and the privileged will continue to live worlds apart,” said Rachel Mayanja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women. She was speaking during an interactive thematic roundtable on “Globalization, development and poverty reduction – their social and gender dimensions”.

The roundtable urged UNCTAD to help governments devise programmes that help promote social equity in an era of imbalanced globalization.

Ms. Mayanja warned that few countries, poor or rich, are immune to the rising tide of global inequality. This makes it imperative for economic and social policies and institutions to step up efforts to reduce widening social and gender disparities.

UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told the panel that “better managed” globalization requires a practical blend of market mechanisms and government direction. It is also necessary to promote the type of economic growth that empowers women to participate in labour forces and trade systems. Such growth should be accompanied by policies that create productive employment for all and enhance basic social protections and benefits. “It really is about ensuring inclusive growth,” he said.