[asia-apec 1082] ECOSOC meets with BWIs on 29 April

[UN-NGLS (NY Office)]

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) will hold a special
high-level meeting with the Bretton Woods institutions, next Thursday,
29 April at UN Headquarters in New York from 9:30 to 1:30 in the 
ECOSOC chamber.  

Background: 

According to Council President Ambassador Francesco Paolo Fulci
(Italy), part of ECOSOC's revitalised role includes increased
cooperation with the BWIs.  In February 1999, James Wolfensohn,
President, and the Executive Directors of the World Bank came to New
York to meet with the Council.  At Mr. Wolfensohn's invitation, ECOSOC
members will meet with the Bank in Washington, DC at a future date. 
ECOSOC initiated this on-going process with the BWIs in 1998 in a
high-level dialogue which included discussion on the Asian financial
crisis; effects of financial crises on vulnerable groups and other
countries; poverty eradication and globalisation; liberalisation of
capital flows and the need to safeguard against speculation and
volatility; and debt relief  (see NGLS Go-Between #69).