Opinion Sur
The proposal does not move one iota the structures of the current development model, precisely those that are at the basis of these conflicts and that did not arise three years ago due to a series of simultaneous disturbances that have strained the countries as indicated. They have suffered in the twentieth century and of course with greater severity so far in the twenty-first century
The diagnosis carried out by the so-called New Global Financial Pact carried out at the end of June and which summoned a significant number of international figures in politics and finance (La Jornada 24/6/23) highlights that in the past three years some 120 million people have been thrown into extreme poverty. It is therefore urgent to reduce poverty, strengthen health, education, food security, overcome inequality and address climate change and biodiversity loss. To reduce the challenges faced by developing countries and meet our global agenda, we seek to use the Paris Summit to advance climate and development commitments. A set of actions to reduce poverty and protect the planet are proposed, focused on various forms of financing, such as prioritizing the use of grants and loans at preferential rates; long-term credit available to middle-income countries; strengthen instruments such as the trust funds of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as other international organizations; reform of the multilateral development bank system and increase financing capacity and private capital mobilization, among others.
A first problem is that the proposal does not move one iota the structures of the current development model, precisely those that are at the basis of these conflicts and that did not arise three years ago and because of a series of simultaneous disturbances that have stressed the countries as indicated. In fact, they have been suffered in the twentieth century and of course with greater severity so far in the twenty-first century. Making financial proposals while maintaining a model whose structures have generated deep inequalities is not the way to maintain the unfavorable terms of trade, the blockades to food self-sufficiency suffered by underdeveloped countries by the large global export agro-industries, the historical and excessive plundering of the powers of the North on natural and mineral resources, as well as transnational companies that settle in the global South because of the low wages of workers without paying the corresponding taxes and immersed in pollution. And, of course, global geopolitical conflicts that seek to align countries with Washington’s interests cannot be set aside, or they will receive the usual sanctions.
The proposed solution focuses mainly on financing of very different types and by different international organizations. However, if one thinks that one of the serious scenarios of the non-developed countries is the over-indebtedness, it would seem that the greater the flows of financing, the higher the debt ratios, by maintaining the same model that exercises budgetary restrictions. It is right that debt buybacks should be proposed as an innovative system, but under the same parameters the catastrophic cycle of indebtedness would restart.
It is true that the document states that new economic models are required that recognize the value of nature to humanity and a new global financial pact, which is important. However, if the axis is the transfer of technology, the free flow of scientific and technological talents to contribute to an inclusive, open and non-discriminatory economy, it means that underdeveloped countries will now have the financing to buy from developed countries the technology they produce, and yes, very generous accepting their talents. Reducing the cost of access to capital for sustainable development and generating very generous loans is not the way to face dependence, the deep economic asymmetries, because the same exclusionary model makes the development of these countries impossible.
It is regrettable that the migration issue was not even mentioned when the conflicts mentioned are, in large part, its generating causes. If, as indicated, we are working urgently to do more for people and for the planet, we must make the migratory phenomenon visible in all forums, summits, international assemblies and highlight the responsibility of all countries. Flows that are suffering migratory massacres of boats full of human beings who ask for help on the shores of rich Europe and simply leave them to die.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2030 will not be achieved if the need to discuss a new alternative development model is not put on the table, completely different from the current one characterized by the culture of privilege (ECLAC) with its enormous concentration of income, inequality, poverty and marginalization.
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Published in La Jornada, Mexico
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