Preparations for UN Conference on Least Developed Countries Gain Momentum

Momentum is building for the adoption of concrete measures to help bolster the world's poorest economies, as the second preparatory meeting for this May's United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries wrapped up its recent session in New York.

Initiatives to cancel debt, promote foreign direct investment and open markets to goods from least developed countries, known as LDCs, were advocated by a number of participants at the session, which drew representatives from over 115 countries as well as several key UN agencies.

Much of the week-long session, which concluded last Friday, was devoted to a reading of the draft program of action for the least developed countries for the decade 2001-2010.

That draft, which is being prepared for adoption by the Brussels Conference in May, aims to significantly improve conditions in the LDCs during the present decade. It provides a framework for a strong global partnership to accelerate growth and sustainable development in the least developed countries, fight poverty, inequality and deprivation in these countries, and enable them to beneficially integrate into the global economy.

The next preparatory session will be held in April, while the Conference itself will convene May 14-20.