Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to have another opportunity to join you as we sum up your intensive work of the last two days.

This symposium is part of a broader process of preparation for the Third UN LDC Conference in Brussels in May. The report of the symposium - which the Norwegian delegation will bring to New York next week - will be a substantive contribution to the 2 ^nd> Preparatory Committee.

My wish this afternoon is to summarise the work of the past two days in terms of the three key themes:

1. Globalisation
2. The enabling environment for enterprise, and
3. Partnership

All of us recognise that the private sector is playing an increasingly prominent role in development. Through globalisation the private sector in LDCs is linked with that in every other country, trading bloc and region of the world.

These global relationships can only be balanced and fair if they emerge from a process of open and forthright dialogue. This symposium is a small part of such a deepening dialogue. But we are seeking much more than dialogue. We are seeking to promote lasting partnerships – which are underpinned by on-going dialogue and in multiple networks.

In summing up we must ask ourselves if we have identified practical and proven mechanisms for putting partnership into practice .

I believe that we have heard many very useful ideas that we can use in preparing for Brussels and beyond.

I believe that we can report progress both in partnership and in identifying some of the practical mechanisms that will be needed to make partnership a reality.

This symposium set out to deepen dialogue and strengthen partnership in three key areas:

• Improving the investment climate and enhancing productive capacity in LDCs
• Strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and
• Improving the range and quality of financial services available to support business development in LDCs.

Let me turn to the three main themes of my summary:

I. Globalisation

In each of the main discussions there was broad acceptance that globalisation is irreversible. But it was also stressed that globalisation is not working as it should for poor countries and poor people.

• Hence, concern was expressed that the benefits of globalisation must be more broadly and equitably shared – globalisation must also work for the poor.
• Poverty alleviation remains the principal focus of our efforts.
• Poverty alleviation needs to be underpinned by economic growth – pro-poor growth.
• This growth must be within the framework of sustainable development .
• Furthermore, there is an urgent need for enhanced access – access of the poor to business opportunities as well as access of LDCs to global markets.
• The government and public policies will have a central role in establishing the framework that will allow these complex factors to interrelate effectively.

II. Enabling environment

An enabling environment is important. Broadly speaking, this is a question of ensuring a social, political and economic framework that is conducive to both domestic and foreign investment. The enabling environment refers to policies, measures and practices at national level, as well as to a broader international framework.

The broad conclusion of this symposium is that the "basics" include:

• Political and economic stability
• Good governance and anti-corruption policies
• A fair and efficient judicial system and adequate legal infrastructure
• Social protection and rights, including health
• Physical infrastructure (communications and transportation)
• More effective and targeted international support measures.

In addition, the enabling environment is increasingly understood to be one that demands and rewards corporate social responsibility.

III. Partnerships

This broadening of the concept of enabling environment directly addresses the issue of partnership.

The public and private sectors must work together. We think that the Nordic experience is a useful illustration of a balance of public and private responsibilities that reflects the best interests of broader society.

Speaking globally, we are all witness to – and indeed active participants in – an exciting and necessary process of redefining the balance of public and private sector roles and responsibilities. Through the Global Compact, launched two years ago, the Secretary General has shown the way. In Davos this weekend, he challenged world industrial leaders by pointing out that most of the developing world, and especially the LDCs, are missing out on the flow of investment.

Public sector responsibilities are being redefined. The role of the private sector in development and poverty alleviation is being expanded. The private sector is becoming increasingly active in areas previously viewed as public sector responsibilities.

Some of the most dramatic evidence is found in the telecommunications sector – not least because of the prominence of SMEs in delivering telephony services, particularly in LDCs.

The issues involved in empowering the private sector to carry out its new responsibilities include:

• Access to finance and innovative forms of financing,
• Business development services and inter-firm linkages, and
• Public-Private Partnerships.

The case was made that the multilateral institutions can – and should – be active in promoting and supporting such partnerships. I encourage the international financial institutions to make their own concrete and deliverable contributions to the LDC process.

IV. Summary and conclusion

All the issues we have addressed in the past two days are strongly influenced by the three broad themes of globalisation, enabling environment and partnership. If globalisation is to become truly and equitably global it must be reshaped to enable the capacities of the poor to be fully utilised.

It is in our common interest to do so. In facing globalisation, we need to achieve a much better distribution of its opportunities and risks. If we fail to do so, the legitimacy of globalisation will continue to be questioned.

Again, I would like to thank you for both your hard work and the usefulness of your findings. Your efforts have served to both intensify the dialogue between key development partners and to refine our collective understanding of the role of the private sector in national development.

It is my hope that we are now better prepared to jointly face the challenges of ensuring economic growth and promoting poverty alleviation in the Least Developed Countries.

Norway intends to present the results of this symposium to the Preparatory Committee in New York next week. We count on your support.

Thank you very much and I wish you all a safe journey home.