TNAG-2752-FCO40-3967-Organisation-for-Economic-Co-operation-and-Development-(OECD-1994 — Page 121

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well as China. The Centre's programme of regional conferences still remained too focussed on Latin America and Asia; greater attention needed to be paid to Africa (a comment echoed by many others).

4.

The UK spoke as instructed. Our critical comments on proposed Activity 1.10 were echoed by some others (eg the Dutch, Belgians, Italians), but others (eg Danes, Swedes) saw value in an OECD Development Centre input to the Population Conference, although duplication should be avoided. The Netherlands thought the programme needed revision to take account of the new impetus to outreach activities given by the OECD's recent Ministerial Conference. The Centre should check the work programmes of other international bodies to ensure that there was no duplication of work. Finland thought there was too much focus on the economic problems of transition and not enough on the traditional concerns of developing countries eg in Africa. Denmark liked the proposal to organise an expert's meeting on water (following up the proposed 1994 DAC meeting on water management) which might lead to a short term study on water resource use in 1995.

5. The proposed short term study of 'The Economic Development of Guandong Province and the contributory role of Hong Kong' (Activity 1.8) was welcomed by Japan, Korea and Italy, but there was hesitancy on the part of some. Norway was uncertain whether the experience would be relevant to other parts of the developing world; a comment echoed by the United States which because of China's human rights/democratisation record and dissimilarities in economic policies with OECD countries tends to foot drag as regards development of closer relations between OECD and China; particularly any move which might lead to Chinese experience being projected as a rival to the OECD model for developing countries. Finland thought the China study should be broadened to include Taiwan and Chinese coastal provinces additional to Guandong. Portugal said they were sure the authorities in Macao would be willing to help with the study.

6. Love (DAC Chairman) and Carey (DCD) corroborated Bonvin's remarks about an improved working relationship between DCD/DAC and the Centre. Carey supported the retention of a population related short term study in the 1994 programme, although he agreed duplication should be avoided.

7 Bonvin (and researchers from the Centre) in response to the discussion gave assurances that heed would be paid to the comments in adjusting the work programme proposals (although as usual for every criticism there was somebody around the table to express a differing point of view which will give the Centre a considerable freedom of manoeuvre). Adjustments will be made; but we should expect the broad shape of the programme to be maintained.