The outgoing management team is proud to have contributed to
increasing the delivery of services by over 80% in the last five
years and to have created programmes, tools and publications that
are in high demand throughout the developing world.
We are very pleased to have provided developing countries with a
platform where government trade negotiators and the business sector
can have a constructive dialogue on the Doha round and pleased to
have supported South-South trade and helped trade support
institutions provide better services to small firms. These are
powerful ways of using trade to alleviate poverty.
A massive external evaluation completed last year commented
favourably on ITC - as did reports by the United Nations Board of
Auditors and the Office of Internal Oversight Services.
There is still room for improvement. ITC is an organization
constantly in the making. We have already begun to implement the
evaluators' recommendations aimed at us. ITC management supports
strongly the recommendations concerning ITC stakeholders, related
to harmonizing donor support, creating a small and effective expert
group as a core element of ITC's governance structure, adapting
United Nations oversight mechanisms to ITC realities and making
greater use of multi-year advance funding contributed on a more
timely basis.
Senior management succession
A team of new managers has already started to arrive at ITC,
combining impressive work experience, considerable field knowledge,
a clear vision for the future and powerful drive.
My successor, Patricia Francis, has been President of JAMPRO (the
Jamaica Promotions Corporation) for the last ten years, making it
one of the most successful trade promotion organizations in the
developing world. In addition, she has been Chairperson of the
World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies and active in
the private sector.
Stephen Browne, a British economist, joined us as Deputy Executive
Director in March. He acquired technical cooperation and national
capacity-building experience during 21 years at the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), many spent in the developing world.
He has been responsible for UNDP's trade portfolio and for
collaboration with ITC and UNCTAD. He is a keen observer of
development issues and is the author of four books on the
subject.
The first new Director is Siphana Sok, who came to us from
Cambodia. He played a key role in his country's accession to WTO
and in masterminding the Integrated Framework programme for
Cambodia and other countries in Asia and Africa. His dynamism and
extensive experience will bring additional value to ITC
clients.
Eva Murray from Canada joins us as Director of the Programme
Support Division this summer. Sincere thanks are due to the
outgoing members of ITC's Senior Management Committee: Ramamurti
Badrinath, Director of the Trade Support Services Division; Gian
Piero Roz, Director of the Programme Support Division; and Peter
Walters, Director of the Product and Market Development Division.
All three have greatly contributed to shaping today's ITC.
 |
Incoming and outgoing members of ITC's senior management
together during ITC's annual meeting. |
© Photo Bianco
Challenges and opportunities ahead
- United Nations reform. Various reform
scenarios are under discussion. ITC's focus remains on helping
developing and transition economies bring about sustainable
development through trade. We hope ITC will continue to be given
the opportunity to contribute to the best of its ability under a
reformed United Nations, whatever form it takes.
- Trade-related technical assistance
(TRTA). Our role in providing practical advice to
small firms and helping business to interact with trade negotiators
was acknowledged in the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration. We spelt
out our views and commitment to WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy in
February.
ITC firmly believes that TRTA such as the enhanced Integrated
Framework is essential. We also believe that real progress is
necessary for the developing world to retain its confidence in the
multilateral trading system.
- A new business model for ITC. Having
increased delivery of technical assistance by more than 80% over
the last five years with only a small increase in regular budget
resources, ITC has reached a point where it needs to articulate a
new business model to grow further. To reach a significantly higher
level of delivery, ITC also needs additional permanent
resources.
Proactivity with donors
ITC has established excellent relations with a growing number of
donors, including some from the developing world. We look forward
to a new type of relationship, in line with the principles of the
Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.
ITC is already talking with donors to seek a more structured
approach to resource mobilization associated with a more
results-oriented approach to programming and reporting.
A promising future
Looking over the 12 years I have spent at ITC, I can say with
confidence that the future holds great promise for ITC and its
stakeholders. There will be more challenges and opportunities for
ITC.
Some will relate directly to its core business; others will be more
distant. It will be important for ITC not to lose sight of what it
does best, that is, putting trade to work for development in
practical ways. Staying away from the political debate and
resisting the temptation to do what some other organizations can do
better will not always be easy but should prevail. Some of our more
recent initiatives are showing great potential. They have to remain
at the heart of our action.
Let me conclude by thanking staff and stakeholders for their solid
and continued support throughout my 12 years at ITC. In the
Buddhist system, 12 years is a complete cycle. I have completed
mine and I am proud to hand over to my friend and successor,
Patricia Francis, a solid organization at a time when the world's
attention is turning to the greater development opportunities
provided by trade.
This article is based on Mr Bélisle's statement at the 39th
session of ITC's annual meeting, the Joint Advisory Group (April
2006). Mr Bélisle retired in June 2006.