This Sixth UN Review Conference marks the 30th anniversary of the multilateral Code on Restrictive Business Practices - an agreement which itself took thirty years to negotiate. This Conference therefore commemorates one of the great successes of the United Nations in the economic sphere.

But this anniversary is more than a ceremonial occasion. It is also a collective opportunity to reflect on the experience of the last decades and to look forward to the future.

The last three decades have demonstrated how far we have come towards constructing a truly global competition system: While in 1980, only 15 countries had a competition or anti-trust law, today UNCTAD counts 112 countries with competition laws, ranging from giants like China, India and Russia, to small island states. And a further 14 countries are in the process of preparing competition laws.

Even in the current period of significant change and economic uncertainty, no policy maker seriously questions the important role of competition policy in ensuring the efficient use of resources. Most countries see competition policy as indispensable to growth and stability in our interdependent world; even if they often have different perspectives on the right balance between markets and states, reflecting different backgrounds and historical experiences.

Why does this consensus exist? Because the history of the latter half of this century has taught us that there is really no rational alternative. The architects of the post-war economic institutions were guided by the central idea that durable international peace would be built on the foundations of progressive liberalization and economic interdependence. Removing barriers to trade and promoting competitive markets would lead to shared prosperity.

The point is not that the global economy and markets are somehow perfect - or that the widening range of public concerns is without substance or validity. The point, rather, is that the challenges we face can only realistically be addressed inside this global system - not outside of it.

Such considerations, have led to calls for placing competition policy on the international agenda. Progress in this direction would serve to reduce existing inconsistencies between international trade and competition regimes. Two complementary approaches could be adopted to bridge this gap between competition and trade policies: One would be for competition authorities worldwide to take mutually reinforcing cooperation measures to ensure that beneficial effects of liberalization of governmental border restraints on trade are not nullified by private restraints. The other would include measures to encourage trade regimes to draw upon competition principles to further the trade liberalization process. In view of its experience with the Set, its broad mandate in the field of development and its universal membership, UNCTAD could make an important contribution to this process.

Of course, it may be premature to elaborate international competition rules for enterprises to be enforced by a supra-national body. Indeed, countries need to continue to exercise their sovereignty over their domestic markets, and elaborate their own 'tailor-made' national competition laws and enforce them effectively.

At the same time, we need a broader global vision to address international cartels and monopolisation at the national as well as the international level. We must build up a consensus for more cooperation and concerted action across a wider front. UNCTAD can be an important cornerstone of this architecture, and stands ready to provide support to greater regional and international cooperation.

How, then, do we in UNCTAD move ahead? In one sense, our path is already set out. First, there is the task of implementing the commitments made in the UN Set. Second, we have an important responsibility to provide technical assistance to many developing countries and, in particular, to all the least-developed countries. And this, in turn, means we have a responsibility to provide the necessary human, technical and financial resources.

So this 30th anniversary of the UN Set is not simply an occasion to look to past successes. More importantly, it is an occasion to look to the future - and to grasp the huge opportunities that this future offers: To harness the potential benefits of competitive markets for billions of people around the world. Tailor-made competition policies can play a role in reducing inequalities and eradicating poverty and malnutrition in developing and developed countries alike.

Achieving this will require an enormous amount of effort and work. This conference represents one of the initial efforts in this area, and there is a long way to go in the future. I hope this conference will provide you all with an opportunity to begin to discuss and explore some of these critical issues.

In conclusion, may I wish this conference every success in laying the groundwork for Governments to develop competitive and dynamic markets that will promote economic prosperity for all.

Thank you very much.