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Mr. Chairman,
Let me at the outset thank the Secretary-General for his detailed report on
the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries.
We would also like to thank Under- Secretary- General Mr. Anwarul Karim
Chowdhury, for his presentation.
2. We would like to associate ourselves with the statement made by Morocco on
behalf of G-77 and China.
3. The Third United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries was held at
a time when the process of globalization was widening income, social and
technological gaps and increasing the vulnerabilities of the Least Developed
Countries. The Conference provided an opportunity to analyze the negative
consequences of globalization on LDCs; and device ways and means to create and
promote an international economic environment which is supportive of their
development.
4. Since the adoption of the Brussels Programme of Action, the objectives of
achieving development in Least Developed Countries have been on the priority
list of the international community. A number of steps have been taken by the
international community as well as by the LDCs themselves in order to attain
these objectives. In certain cases, there have been successes but the overall
condition of LDCs has remained precarious. In many cases, the situation has even
worsened. Poverty, disease, famine, lack of human resource development, external
debt burden, conflicts and strife have remained as the major obstacles to their
development.
Mr. Chairman,
5. To achieve the goals and objectives of the Programme of Action, urgent action
is need on a number of fronts. It would need the improvement of the economic and
social development indicators of the LDCs and creation of an international
climate supportive of LDCs development, so that they could break the vicious
circle of poverty, hunger and under-development. This would require consorted
efforts by all relevant stakeholders, particularly in the following areas:
One; enhancement of Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Second; finding durable solutions to the crippling external debt burden of LDCs.
Third; improving market access for products of export interest to LDCs. and;
Fourth, establishing an enabling economic environment, which fully supports the
domestic policy framework, adopted by these countries.
6. Official Development assistance is critical to the development needs of the
least developed countries. In majority of these countries, it is the bedrock of
their developmental projects. Unlike private flows which are profit driven, ODA
helps governments of the LDCs invest in sectors that are crucial for
development. Regrettably, there has been a consistent and continuous decline in
ODA flows. With the exception of few countries, the target of 0.7 percent has
not been met by donors. If the agreed target could be met, this alone would
yield around 100 billion, most of which would be going to LDCs.
7. The deteriorating economic situation of least developing countries is further
complicated by the crippling debt burden which is a continuous drain on their
meager and depleting resources. Even IMF has admitted that the external debt
situation for a number of low-income countries, mostly in Africa has become
extremely difficult. For these countries, even full use of traditional
mechanisms of rescheduling and debt reduction, may not be sufficient to attain
sustainable levels. There is, therefore, a definite need to develop a
comprehensive approach including new initiatives to provide debt relief to these
countries. New initiatives should include debt moratorium, debt swap and
outright debt cancellation. In this regard, the proposal to divert the money
spent on debt servicing towards social development budget merits serious
consideration.
8. Trade is yet another area which could boost economic growth, generate
employment, and reduce poverty in developing countries. It is also the single
most important external source of financing development. Increased market access
is an effective way for developing countries to reach sustainability. Every
extra dollar of exports feeds a poor family and builds a better future for them.
We have however noted with concern that the share of Least Developed Countries
in international trade has fallen from 3 percent in 1960s to 0.4 percent in
2002. Improved market access to the export products of the developing countries,
especially in those areas where they have comparative advantage will be
essential for their development. In this context, an early agreement on the
“cotton” initiative proposed by some African least developed countries should be
explored as a priority.
9. The biggest challenge for LDCs remains “poverty eradication”. This would need
adopting a multi-dimensional approach. It would also necessitates a greater
synergy among efforts by all stakeholders i.e. states, civil societies and
international community. The Least Developed Countries must get the required
support from the international community to eradicate poverty and reach the
internationally development goals including those contained in the Millennium
Declaration.
Mr. Chairman,
10. Despite domestic financial constraints, Pakistan has continued to provide
technical, economic and humanitarian assistance to the LDCs. Under the Pakistan
Technical Assistance Programme and Special Technical Assistance Programme for
Africa, fifty seats are reserved for students from LDCs in our professional
colleges. More than one thousand participants from LDCs have, so far, benefited
from our training programmes in the fields of banking, diplomacy, language
skills, railways and accounting. The Government of Pakistan has also been
extending trade credits and substantial humanitarian assistance to some LDCs. We
would continue with our modest efforts in future as well.
11. In order to ensure the fulfillment of the objectives of the Brussels
Programme of Action, it is important that the international community not takes
on concrete and tangible measures but also musters the political will to achieve
these goals.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.