A Global Role For Dervis

BY DERYA SAZAK
MILLIYET- A few days ago, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan submitted the name of Kemal Dervis as his preferred candidate for the post of UNDP administrator. If the UN General Assembly approves his candidacy, Dervis will resign from his position in our Parliament and take on the responsibility for ‘global development programs’ within the UN. Back in February 2001, when he was called to Turkey to help it recover from a financial crisis, Dervis had been working as vice president of the World Bank.
While globalization creates opportunities in the fields of technology and free trade, it also spreads poverty and inequality throughout the world. A believer in social democracy, Dervis is most appropriate for the position of UNDP administrator. He is experienced in dealing with poverty, inequality and unequal income distribution. As the head of the UNDP, he will likely be able to aid Turkey’s future strategies.
Unless we make sure that our national income is distributed fairly, our European Union membership will be nothing but a pipe dream. We wish Dervis the best of luck in his new assignment.