Poverty Reduction

Events

Inclusive Globalization

United Nations Ministerial Conference of the Least Developed Countries
“Making Globalization Work for the LDCs”
Istanbul, 9-11 July 2007

The Ministerial Conference “Making Globalization Work for the LDCs”, which took place from 9 to 11 July 2007 in Istanbul, Turkey, addressed global imbalances which exacerbate poverty in LDCs and prevent them from the full and effective implementation of the Programme of Action of the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010 and their beneficial integration in the world economy.

The Conference, hosted by the Government of Turkey, was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNDP’s Bureau for Development Policy was responsible for the substantive preparation of the conference background and issues papers, in close collaboration with UNCTAD, FAO and the Environment and Energy Group, BDP/UNDP.

The three-day Conference brought together ministers, Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, and national focal points from 50 LDCs, representatives of private sector and civil society, UN system, international and regional organizations and financial institutions.

The opening panel of the Conference featured distinguished speakers, including Mr. Abdullah Gül, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mr. Moussa Affolabi Okanla, Foreign Minister of Benin and Chairman of the Group of the Least Developed Countries, Ms. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, President of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary General of UNCTAD, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Ms. Valentine Rugwabiza, Deputy Director General of the WTO, and Ms. Harriet Schmidt, Director of UN-OHRLLS.

Former Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa and Kemal Derviş, UNDP Administrator, were the keynote speakers of the conference.

Mr. Derviş called on the LDCs to have a stronger voice and participate more in an overall reform of the international architecture, the international governance system, both within the United Nations and more broadly. He also addressed the need to redouble efforts for resource mobilization to the benefit of LDCs, including aid to development and debt relief. Mr. Derviş stressed the key role of trade and development and the need to address protectionist measures in rich countries which falsify the workings of the markets and reduce the opportunities for developing countries. Other key messages included the need to ensure policy space for the LDCs, the role of the international community in addressing issues relating to migration and development and the challenges faced by the LDCs in terms of climate change. Finally, Mr. Derviş highlighted the importance of building partnerships between middle income countries and the LDCs.

LINKS:

Keynote speech by Kemal Derviş, UNDP Administrator

Istanbul Declaration on Least Developed Countries: Time for Action

 

Permanent Mission of Turkey to the UN

UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)

UN-OHRLLS - Press releases