Political leaders must engage in a more dynamic and open exchange of ideas so that the benefits of global interdependence can be spread more fairly, Prime Minister Paul Martin told business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum.

January 23, 2004
Davos, Switzerland

Kofi Annan to visit Ottawa in March

Political leaders must engage in a more dynamic and open exchange of ideas so that the benefits of global interdependence can be spread more fairly, Prime Minister Paul Martin told business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum.

Speaking at the Forum on The Future of Global Interdependence, the Prime Minister said that leaders at world meetings must be better prepared to take concrete actions that move beyond the status quo. By consulting with a variety of stakeholders and putting original thinking into action, governments can begin to “break free from the briefing book” syndrome and get down to brass tacks, to thinking outside the box,” he said.

“The dialogue among nations is technocratic and indirect rather than open and free-ranging. It is often concerned more with preserving a process, than with breaking new ground. It is a dialogue that, in the great international meetings, too often proceeds from set pieces read aloud – meetings that are closed to consultation from the outside, and are far too frequently closed to new ideas,” said Mr. Martin.

“This is not to say progress doesn’t occur. It’s just that it is so painfully slow. Thus, I believe the time has come for us to examine not just the decisions we make, but the ones we don’t make, and then ask ourselves – why not?”

The PM outlined three areas where the international community must start making a real difference. Pointing to divisions among countries for their stand on the Iraqi war, Mr. Martin said that open discussions must lead to “clear agreement on principles to help determine when it is appropriate to use force in support of humanitarian objectives.”

Second, he said that countries from both industrialized nations and the developing world must have the opportunity to provide input on how to solve international problems.

“We have to broaden our traditional ideas about the responsibilities of sovereign states, not only the responsibilities of rich nations towards poor ones,
but of all countries to each other,” said the PM.

Finally, Mr. Martin said that states must be far more engaged in the world beyond their borders.

“All states today have, as well, a real and legitimate stake in the welfare of other countries, and that confers a special obligation on political leaders to make our international system work for the welfare of all,” he said.

While international bodies like the G-20 can help bridge divides between nations and drive a unified agenda, multilateral institutions are crucial so that nations do not shirk their responsibilities, said the prime minister. However, global relations will only be improved through the rejuvenation of some of the outdated “mandates, structures and voting procedures of the UN system,” he said.

“The United Nations has to work because it reminds us, like no other institution – that all nations have interests that demand recognition, and all nations have responsibilities towards each other that they cannot shirk.”

Speaking to reporters after his remarks at the forum, Mr. Martin announced that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has accepted his invitation to address the House of Commons. It will mark the first time a UN Secretary General has addressed parliamentarians in its 59-years of existence.

The prime minister also announced that Canada – in agreement with all G-7 countries – has forgiven most of Iraq’s debt, which totals about $750 billion CDN.

Click here for the full speech.