NEW YORK — An International Aid and Trade Exhibition, under the aegis of the United Nations provided the umbrella for international agencies to gather and discuss ways to enhance their roles in the changing global scenario.
The emphasis was on relief and socio-economic progress in developing countries. Apart from discussions on many subjects, the fair also provided a platform for many NGOs and relief organizations to showcase their work and also project their hopes for a better world.
The International Islamic Relief Organization, Saudi Arabia (IIROSA) and World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) also participated in this International Aid & Trade Exhibition and Conference held in New York annually. This year it was held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on June 20-21, 2001. The IIROSA delegation included top officials from governments, NGOs, as well as business leaders.
This year, as is the case every year, heads of UN agencies, NGO representatives, and major international CEOs gathered here to strengthen the partnership between the United Nations and the private sector. This one-of-a-kind event allows UN and business executives to review their joint projects on an annual basis, define future directions and draw lessons from their collaboration. Corporations showcase their goods and services to the community of UN and World Bank procurement officers and find out about upcoming contracts and trends. The conference held in conjunction with the fair, explored ways to bolster government procurement systems as well as debating the socio-economic aspects of the developing nations.
IIROSA and WAMY participated in the exhibition by establishing its own booths. Pictures and posters reflecting the work and activities of the organization throughout the world — including various kinds of assistance given to the poor, needy, displaced people, orphans and refugees worldwide — were arrayed to enlighten the visitors. The IIROSA and WAMY stands attracted many visitors from different countries. Important personalities from international organizations and members of NGOs, who enjoy close relations with IIROSA and WAMY visited the stands.
The displays, both pictures and publications, highlighted IIROSA and WAMY efforts and activities in humanitarian fields such as those of the urgent relief, social welfare, educational, health services, sustainable development, well-drilling, distribution of free meals and others.The wide range of relief activities carried out by both organizations impressed the visitors, who saw both displays for the first time. The participants at the exhibition too welcomed IIROSA and WAMY’s effective relief works all over the world.
Dr. Adnan Khalil Basha, secretary-general of IIROSA and Engineer Samir BaEisa of WAMY attended the conference on relief aid with the focus on the evolving role of global aid in the 21st century and the context of that aid, from the economic, political and social point of view. The conference explored future operational realities of relief approaches to development and economic growth amid crisis and the new humanitarian tools and technologies, from conflict prevention to communication.
Specifically, Aid and Trade 2001 included a special conference on Public Procurement Reform. The conference examined and discussed how governments could strategically use procurement programs to achieve environmental goals, enhance efficiency and transparency by taking advantage of e-commerce, respond more quickly and effectively to crises, promote the growth of local supplier communities through capacity building and financial help.
Participants in the Public Procurement Reform Conference included government procurement officials and suppliers from developing countries as well as recognized experts in the field of public procurement.
Every year, in the process of delivering on their multifaceted mandates, the United Nations, international financial institutions, governments and non-governmental organizations spend millions on provisions essential to their delivering emergency and development aid worldwide. The UN alone accounts for the procurement of relevant goods and services valued at just over $3 billion per annum. With an aim to introducing the business community to these important procurement opportunities, Aid and Trade 2001 also featured presentations by procurement specialists from the United Nations, international financial institutions and NGOs. A senior official from the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs provided guidance on the particularities of doing business with the various United Nations organizations while discussing “Legal Aspects of UN Procurement.”
Strengthening the alliance between the development community and the business community is the integral aim of International Aid and Trade. With so many decision-makers attending the exhibition, the exhibition’s primary aims were achieved. The conference provided opportunities to these officials to examine the options available to them, exchange ideas and discuss innovative solutions to increase efficiency in the delivery of disaster relief and development aid.
