Preparations for the Special High-Level Meeting of the Economic and Social Council

with the Bretton Woods institutions and the World Trade Organization

ECOSOC Hearings and Dialogue with Representatives of the Business Sector

United Nations Headquarters, ECOSOC Chamber, 21 March 2003

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME

Theme: “Increased coherence, coordination and cooperation for the implementation of

the Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for
Development at all levels one year after the Conference”(ECOSOC decision
2003/209)

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Opening of the meeting and organization of work

Welcome address by H.E. Mr. Gert Rosenthal, President of ECOSOC, and

introduction of business representatives/panellists

Statement by the Chairperson and Moderator of the Panels, Mr. Moeen

Qureshi, Chairman, Emerging Markets Partnership

Opening statements by Ms. Maria Livanos Cattaui, Secretary-General of the

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and Mr. Paul Underwood,
Executive Director of the Business Council for the United Nations

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Panel discussions *

Panellists
Mr. William Chew, Managing Director, Corporate & Government Ratings, S&P
Ms. Clare Cowan, Chief Executive Officer, Venture Exchange Network
Mr. Frank Fernandez, Chief Economist, Securities Industries Association
Mr. James Mutande , Manager (former), Uganda Commercial Bank
Mr. Ron Nechemia, Chairman, EurOrient Financial Group
Mr. Robert Sheppard, Managing Director, J.R. Sheppard & Co. LLC

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Panel 1: “Identifying and eliminating business environment impediments to
private investment”

Coordinator: Ms. Maria Livanos Cattaui, Secretary-General, ICC

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Panel 2: “Enhancing information, analysis and communication of country
opportunities, risks and investment transaction services”

Coordinator: Ms. Barbara Samuels , President, Samuels Associates

*
Each panel will consist of a presentation by business representatives (10 minutes) followed by a discussion with
ECOSOC delegates, including questions from the audience (35 minutes).
 2

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Panel 3: “Improving developing country access to long-term finance for
infrastructure development and domestic companies”

Coordinator: Mr. Crocker Snow Jr., President, Money Matters Institute

12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Panel 4: “Establishing frameworks for collaboration and coordination between
the public and private sectors in the implementation of the Monterrey
Consensus”

Coordinator: Mr. Paul Underwood, Executive Director, Business Council for

the United Nations

1:00 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. Summing up by the Moderator and the Chairperson, Mr. Moeen Qureshi

1:10 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Closing remarks by the President of ECOSOC

1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. LUNCH BREAK

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Briefing by business representatives on the status of private sector initiatives in
the area of financing for development

Topic: Progress reports on specific initiatives and projects set forth by

the business community at the Monterrey Conference, as well as
new ventures.

The above initiatives include those relating to sovereign debt;

capital market financing of infrastructure projects; venture
capital; the development of a global information clearing house
to strengthen information and analysis on developing countries,
including the establishment of government-investor networks
and expert groups on critical issues; the NEPAD business group,
the Investment Advisory Council for Least Developed Countries
and Investment Guides.

Main sponsors: International Chamber of Commerce

Business Council for the United Nations
World Economic Forum
Money Matters Institute
Samuels Associates

Participants: Representatives of the above institutions and leading

practitioners