and not opposition, mutual commitments and not entitlement, shared responsibility in development and not rivalry. That was the spirit that must continue to guide the international community as it proceeded with preparations for the 2005 World Summit.

ICHIRO AISAWA, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, said that to secure sufficient financing for development, and to be effective, a comprehensive approach was needed. In order to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, Japan would continue its efforts towards the goal of providing ODA equal to 0.7 per cent of its gross national income. Part of its strategy was the doubling of ODA to Africa over the next three years.

Among his Government’s efforts to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Goals was promoting the TICAD (Tokyowidely acknowledged. The World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization called for a reform of global governance to ensure that globalization benefited all. The Helsinki Process, led jointly by the Governments of Finland and the United Republic of Tanzania, was also searching for new approaches to global problem solving. While there were no easy answers, the broad-based discussion involving governments, international organizations and civil society would contribute to a more coherent and equitable global system.

Welcoming the progress made in strengthening the multilateral system to promote development, she said that the annual spring meetings of the Economic and Social Council with the Bretton Woods institutions, the WTO and UNCTAD had played an important role in maintaining the political momentum on financing for development and in providing a forum