Summary: Workshop on Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
| Time: |
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19 July 2002, 09:00-12:30 vk |
| Location: |
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ICCG 2 |
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Moderator(s): | | • Mr. Arjun Karki, Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN)
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Presenters/ Participants: | | • Mr. Taoufik Ben Abdallah, Environnement et Développement du Tiers-Monde (ENDA)
• Ms. Huguette Bokpe Gnacadja, NGO-LDC Watch
• Mr. Mussie Delelelgn, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• Ms. Huguette Bokpe Gnacadja, NGO-LDC Watch
• H.E. HE Nathan Irumba, Permanent Mission of Uganda to the United Nations in Geneva
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| Reporter: |
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Marc Brightman (ICVolunteers) |
| Language: |
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English |
| Key words: |
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LDC, Least Developed Countries, NGOLDC Watch, LDC-III |
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A distinguished panel lead a fascinating discussion on one of the most fundamental subjects of the
Forum. However, a weak turnout even by the standards of this week put a damper on the proceedings, which, for the first time, finished early.
The category of Least Developed Countries (LDC) was invented in 1971 and originally comprised the world's 25 least developed countries. A measure of the success of international policy to develop these countries over the last 30 years is the fact that there are now 49 LDC members and only one country (Botswana) has managed to graduate out of the category. None of the recommendations made at the LDC's conferences in Paris in 1980 and 1990, or in Brussels in 2001, have been implemented by international institutions. The key issues are those basic demands that developing countries and NGOs have been drumming out for years: debt cancellation, access to the market, and an end to the protectionist economic policies of the US and other G8 countries.
Surprising issues
Some panelists countered a move to speak in terms of the 'poverty gap'. For remote rural dwellers in many countries, such as Iraq, low dollar income does not mean
mere poverty, and certain forms of 'development' may make things worse. The problem is a lack of freedom of movement, and a lack of political equality on the world stage. LDCs do not want to become clones of 'developed' countries, and they are proud of their cultures.
Interesting questions
One audience member asked if international law could be used to help. The response was one of bitter resignation: the World Trade Organisation is supposed to promote open markets, but works in favour of the richer countries. Some G7 and EU countries are sympathetic to the
needs of LDCs, but are eclipsed by the formidable lobbying power of, above all, the US, Japan and Australia. LDCs want an equal say in making international law. How can they use legal instruments that are designed to work against them?
Conclusions
NGOLDC Watch has a special committee for the follow-up of the commitments agreed at LDC-III in Brussels 2001, and plans to set up a permanent secretariat in Brussels. This can help
civil society, NGOs, academics, and LDC Governments to work more closely together to send coherent messages and organise major social movements. There seems to be no other way forward.
Presenters' Documents Available
  19.01_delelelgn_mussie_unctad.doc (41 K)
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