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Multinational Fora

World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10)

The Role of Export Credit Agencies in Sustainable Development
September 1, 2002 - 2-4pm
[download the pdf flyer here]

Heinrich Boll Forum
At the Civil Society Global Forum, Johannesburg Expo Centre,
NASREC, Johannesburg, South Africa

Export Credit and Investment Insurance Agencies (ECAs) play a critical role in promoting international trade and investments in large infrastructure projects in developing countries, providing financial and political support to corporations of their home countries. Thus have great impact on sustainable development, and indeed they hold the largest fraction of developing country debt.

Yet these bilateral, public or publicly mandated agencies are largely managed in secrecy and take little account of their support's impacts on the local communities and their environment. Safeguard policies and standards for ECA activities are in the process of being developed by various national governments and under the auspices of the Organization on Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). However, a host of issues, including transparency and accountability, require further discussion. The World Summit on Sustainable Development represents an excellent opportunity for governments and civil society to share their experience and discuss ways to reform ECAs in a manner, which takes into account social, environmental and economic aspects.

The speakers will present their perspective and answer questions on the need for reforms of Export Credit Agencies around the world, focusing on the need to increase transparency, accountability of the institutions and participation of project-affected people in the decision-making processes. Speakers include:

-James Mahoney, Vice President for Engineering and Environment, US Export Import Bank, United States
-Mothusi Seqhe, Transformation Resource Centre, Lesotho
-Ernst von Weizsaecker, Member of Parliament, Social Democratic Party, Germany
-Representative of the Japanese Government

Chair: Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder, Center for International Environmental Law

For more information, contact: Emilie Thenard, ethenard@ciel.org