Spring 2009 INSIDE THE FOOD CRISIS: A Global Challenge UN OFFICE OF THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, LANDLOCKED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES ■ The Outlook for LDCs, LLDCs & SIDS...2 ■ Fulfilling The Commitment: Interview with the High Representative...3 ■ The Food Crisis: A Global Challenge...4 ■ Seychelles: The Garden of Eden Interview with the Ambassador...5 ■ LLCDs Must Strengthen South-South Cooperation Interview with the Permanent Representative of Mali...6 ■ Happenings...7 ■ Newsworthy...8 A MEDIAGLOBAL PUBLICATION
Transcript
Spring 2009IN
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THE FOOD CRISIS:A Global Challenge
UN OFFICE OF THE HIGHREPRESENTATIVE FOR THE LEASTDEVELOPED COUNTRIES,LANDLOCKED DEVELOPINGCOUNTRIES AND SMALL ISLANDDEVELOPING STATES
■ The Outlook for LDCs, LLDCs & SIDS...2
■ Fulfilling The Commitment: Interview with the High Representative...3
■ The Food Crisis: A Global Challenge...4
■ Seychelles: The Garden of Eden Interview with the Ambassador...5
■ LLCDs Must Strengthen South-South Cooperation Interview with the Permanent Representative of Mali...6
■ Happenings...7 ■ Newsworthy...8 A MEDIAGLOBAL PUBLICATION
A local farmer harvests sorghum produced fromseeds donated by the Food and AgricultureOrganization (FAO) through the “ImprovingSeeds” project in Nyala, Sudan.
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Hans Winkler, State Secretary for European andInternational Affairs of Austria, addresses a high-level General Assembly meeting on the mid-term review of the Almaty Programme of Actionon the Special Needs of Landlocked DevelopingCountries at the United Nations in New York inOctober last year.
The Outlook forLDCs, LLDCs & SIDSFor Least Developed Countries, Landlocked DevelopingCountries and Small Island Developing States
According to the World Bank, theMillennium Development Goals may
be set back three years as a result of thecurrent financial crisis.
The Global Fund to Fight Aids,Tuberculosis, and Malaria is $5 billion shortof its target, as developed countries, such as the United States, are scrambling tostimulate domestic economies amiddeclined growth.
International investment, which hadbeen growing steadily since 2004 andreached a record high of $1.8 trillion in2007, has already begun to decline as aresult of the financial crisis. World trade isslowing, remittances to Least DevelopedCountries from overseas are down and the prices of commodities, which manydeveloping countries rely on, are falling.
Yet the news out of the Least DevelopedCountries isn’t all that bad. Earlier this yearJapanese Prime Minister Taro Aso pledgedat least $17 billion dollars in aid todeveloping countries in Asia, marking a 20 percent increase in the country’s OfficialDevelopment Assistance (ODA) over lastyear. Japan has also stated the need toincrease Official Development Assistance to Africa after 2010 in order to strengthenhealth systems, achieve universal primaryeducation, and solve water and sanitationissues on the Continent.
And the East African Submarine CableSystem (EASSy) is scheduled for completionin 2009, along with a number of projectsset to connect Landlocked Developing
Countries to the network, bringing low-cost, high-speed Internet access to anumber of countries. Information andCommunications Technology is an indicatorof social and economic development, andmany believe that it can allow poorercountries to leapfrog traditional stages of development.
In a similar vein, mobile technology,known as mHealth, is being used to helpcollect health data, support diagnosis andtreatment for patients, and advanceeducation and research, even in remote,Least Developed Countries.
Yet the constraints facing the world’spoorest countries, including Small IslandDeveloping States (SIDS) and LandlockedDeveloping Countries (LLDCs) are grave.
Due to constraints, such as high tariffsand poor infrastructure, LLDCs collectivelyaccount for only 2 percent of the world’stotal gross domestic product and theaverage GDP of LLDCs is roughly half of that of their maritime neighbours.
SIDS is heavily impacted by climatechange, despite the fact that they
contribute very little damage to theenvironment. They also tend to suffer fromfew natural resources, economic volatility,and high susceptibility to natural disasters.Because of rising sea levels, the Maldivesmay become uninhabitable within thiscentury.
The situation has not gone unnoticed.In April of 2008 the United Nations held ameeting to address providing disaster reliefto SIDS hit hard by natural disasters.
In October, UN-OHRLLS convened ameeting in New York to review the AlmatyProgramme of Action and assess how tomake progress in boosting trade andprivate sector development in LLDCs.
In an exclusive interview, theAmbassador of the Republic of Mali,Ambassador Oumar Daou, told THECOMMITMENT that, although theobstacles facing Landlocked DevelopingCountries present significant challenges,they are not, he said, insurmountable. ■
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Information and Communications Technology is anindicator of social and economic development, andmany believe that it can allow poorer countries toleapfrog traditional stages of development.
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Cheick Sidi Diarra, Under-Secretary-General and HighRepresentative for the Least Developed Countries,Landlocked Developing Countries and Small IslandDeveloping States.
Fulfilling The CommitmentInterview With the High RepresentativeCheick Sidi Diarra, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative forthe Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and SmallIsland Developing States, in conversation with Editor Nosh Nalavala
Mr. Diarra, the economic downturn isimpacting the world, but the Least DevelopedCountries (LDCs) are the worst hit. Do you seea tangible way for the LDCs to emerge fromthe current crisis?
It should not come as a surprise that theLDCs are quite possibly the most affected bythe economic crisis. We have seen, time andtime again, that the LDCs suffer the mostfrom any crisis because of their high levels ofpoverty and heavy dependence on externalresources. Whether one is talking aboutclimate change or the food crisis, the LDCs are always the worst hit. It is a reflection oftheir extreme economic weakness. Theeconomic crisis threatens to wipe out themodest gains a number of LDCs have madeover the last few years.
Do you see a tangible solution?I think a two-pronged approach is needed
to get the LDCs out of the crisis. The firstthing is for the international community toimmediately come to their aid to help themdeal with the current crisis. As the Secretary-General said in his message to the G-20Summit, a stimulus package of at least 1trillion dollars is needed to help developingcountries, especially the poorest and mostvulnerable, to weather the crisis (NOTE:
The leaders have agreed to mobilize $1.1trillion, in addition to $5 trillion for the global stimulus package). Secondly, the internationalcommunity needs to help the LDCs addresstheir underlying weaknesses in order toreverse the ever-worsening poverty crisis. Thefirst step is for the international community to
For the poorest nations, increased andsustained industrial development is the onlyway to move their people out of extremepoverty. While some of these nations areamong the 49 LDCs and enjoy preferentialmarket access, the developed world mustextend concessions and technical assistance toall of them. Without such concessions, thesecountries will not be able to create a viablemanufacturing base nor break into the globalmarkets. Would you, as the HighRepresentative for LDCs, call for defining“least developed manufacturing countries” asa category by the UN and for tradepreferences for these nations within the WTOframework?
The rationale of the category of the LeastDeveloped Countries is for the internationalcommunity to focus on its weakest members,the poorest of the poor, if you like. Certainly,there are a number of countries outside theLDC group that deserve internationalsupport, including trade concessions. Indeed,it could be said that all developing countriesneed support of one form or another. That iswhy the concept of special and differentiatedtreatment under the WTO process applies notonly to LDCs, but other developing countriesas well.
That, however, does not take anythingaway from the fact that the 49 LDCs are
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fulfill its current commitments, specificallyallocating 0.2 percent of their national incometo development assistance for LDCs.
Recently, at the Commission on the Status ofWomen, the issue of initiating policies topromote the equal sharing of responsibilitiesbetween women and men as an essentialcomponent of rural life was brought up. Doyou feel that due to lack of gender equalitywomen in rural areas are carrying a “doubleburden”; holding jobs and caring for theirfamilies at the same time?
First of all, it must be pointed out thatLDCs have made significant strides inempowering women economically andpolitically in recent years. A number of LDCs,for example, have some of the highestproportion of women in positions of decision-making. A good number of LDCs have alsonarrowed the gap between boys and girls inprimary education. So a lot of progress hasbeen made.That said, it is true that povertyaffects women the most. About 70 percent ofthe world’s poor are women. In most poorcountries, women bear the heaviest burden inboth production and reproduction. The lackof health services, for example, affectswomen and children more than the men.That is why child and maternal mortality is a
major problem in the Least DevelopedCountries. HIV/AIDS also affects women morethat the men. Therefore, the economic andpolitical empowerment of women is veryimportant to the achievement of the BrusselsProgramme of Action and the MillenniumDevelopment Goals.
“International community must fulfill its commitmentto the Least Developed Countries.”
– Cheick Sidi Diarra
In the past year, the population ofmalnourished has increased to over 960
million after fluctuations in food prices and acalamitous global recession. This numbercomprises nearly one-sixth of the world’spopulation, having risen some 40 millionfrom 2007 alone. Realizing the globalcommunity’s need for aid leadership, earlythis year Spain stepped up as one of theemerging providers of funds to meetemergency and long-term food aid.
It was noted that the global economyhas deteriorated and global growthprojections are nearly flat for the near-term,many of the Least Developed Countries(LDCs) are saddled with the greatesteconomic losses and their citizens have beenleft without any tangible or significantrecourse.
In commitment to preventing anotherfood crisis and solving the hunger crisis athand, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon andSpanish Prime Minister José Luis RodríguezZapatero co-hosted the High-Level Meetingon Food Security for All in Madrid. Thisyear’s two-day conference evaluatedprogress, prioritized immediate and long-term action and reaffirmed advancement
toward the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs), which are targeted for completionin 2015.
As a statement of Spain’s ongoingcommitment to ending hunger, the nationgenerously pledged €200 million per yearover the course of five years. In addition, atleast 15 other countries have statedintentions to provide monetary and technicalassistance as well as political support.
Speaking on behalf of Spain’s
commitment to the MDGs, SorayaRodriguez, Spain’s Secretary of State forInternational Co-operation, reported, “Spainremains firm in its commitment to reach the0.7 percent GDP goal for OfficialDevelopment Assistance (ODA) in 2012. Thistarget level should reach all countries by nolater than 2015 in fulfillment of the MDGs.”
At the Rome Summit last June, 181Heads of State and Government pledged to “use all means to alleviate the sufferingcaused by the current crisis, to stimulatefood production and to increase investmentin agriculture, to address obstacles to foodaccess, and to use the planet’s resourcessustainably, for present and futuregenerations.”
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The Food Crisis:A Global ChallengeDeveloped countries make a commitment in Madrid to resolve the food crisis affecting Least DevelopedCountriesBy Leslie Pariseau, MediaGlobal Correspondent
Despite exceptional and unprecedentedscale-ups in emergency hunger aid, this yearthe meeting resumed discussions andresolved to respond with even greaterefforts. Representatives from more than 120countries came together, including 62ministers, civil society leaders, and delegatesfrom UN agencies.
Dr. David Nabarro, the Coordinator ofthe United Nations High-Level Task Force onthe Global Food Security Crisis, said thatover the past 30 years, developmentassistance earmarked for agriculturaldevelopment had dropped significantly andwas now down, from 15 to 20 percent, tojust 2 or 3 percent of overall OfficialDevelopment Assistance (ODA). However, asthe international community had beenmade aware of the crisis, that trend hadstarted to shift. “It’s a tough time for all ofour work,” he added, noting that beforemaking commitments, donors wanted to besure that agencies were maximizingefficiency, coordinating better, and makingthe most of existing development assistance.
Several specific objectives wereaddressed in terms of policy and socialdevelopment. Though they agreed thatforeign assistance is integral to boostingLeast Developed Countries’ food security,participants also stressed the importance ofaffected countries leading their individualinitiatives to fight hunger by involving theirown parliaments, local governments, andcitizenship. ■
Dr. David Nabarro, the Coordinator of the UnitedNations High-Level Task Force on the Global FoodSecurity Crisis, at the Conference in Madrid.
“The Task Force on the Global FoodSecurity Crisis came up with aComprehensive Framework for Action,which was recognized in Rome last yearand Madrid this year as a goodfoundation for the world to addressfood needs, improve nutrition, anddecrease hunger.”
– Timothy Wall, Media Officer for the UN Department of Public Information
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By Christina Madden, Assistant Editor
Situated in the Indian Ocean with a totallandmass of 455 sq km spread over 115
islands, Seychelles is known for its coralbeaches and rich biodiversity. Some even callit the Garden of Eden.
The Small Island Developing State (SIDS)is home to a number of indigenous species,including the heaviest land tortoise and theworld's smallest frog. Seychelles has beenindependent since 29 June, 1976 and isheaded by President James Michel.
It should come as no surprise that themajority of Seychelles’ revenue is brought inby its high-end tourism industry, accounting
for roughly 50 percent of its foreignexchange earnings and 20 percent of grossdomestic product (GDP). Tourism is followedby the fishing industry, tuna in particular,which comprises about 97 percent of thecountry's exports.
Seychelles ranked 50 out of 177 countrieson the most recent Human DevelopmentIndex. The middle income SIDS has apopulation of 82,247 people, and a percapita GDP of over USD 8,700.
In an exclusive interview with THECOMMITMENT, Ambassador Ronny Jumeauof the Republic of Seychelles said, “We havealways had a history of putting people at thecentre of development. The biggest parts ofour budget still are and have always beenhealth and education.” Seychelles has aliteracy rate of approximately 92 percent forboth sexes over 15 years of age, and a lifespan at birth of 72 years.
Yet, according to the Ambassador,Seychelles “may have done too well for itsown good.” Seychelles owes its relativelyhigh level of economic and socialdevelopment in large part to borrowedmoney, and now faces external debt inexcess of USD 800 million. No differentiationis drawn between development policiestowards middle income countries (MICs) to account for country-specific constraints.Beyond unsustainable debt, Seychelles lacksmineral wealth compared to some low-income countries, and just over 2 percent of the total land mass is arable.
The Ambassador noted that SIDS likeSeychelles would have to come up withinnovative approaches to socio-economicdevelopment. The country is currentlyexploring for oil in its waters and hasconsidered establishing a university to drawin foreign students and develop advancedresearch on marine life.
Seychelles also made the decision tomarket itself only to high-end tourists. Theislands’ five-star hotel rooms start at about
Seychelles: The Garden of EdenInterview with the Ambassador
P R O F I L E O F A S M A L L I S L A N D D E V E L O P I N G S T A T E
USD 1500 per night, according to theAmbassador. The economic barrier put inplace ensures that, while the environmentalimpact of tourists is limited, the tourists whodo come to the islands bring a great deal ofrevenue with them.
But Seychelles, like most countries, isfeeling the effects of the current financialturmoil. “We're finding it, especially nowwith the financial crisis, increasingly difficultto maintain the current level [of socio-economic development],” AmbassadorJumeau told THE COMMITMENT. Thetourism industry has experienced a fifteenpercent drop in visitors from abroad since the start of the year, and according to theInternational Monetary Fund that maydecline 25 percent by the end of 2009.
The Government of Seychelles iscommitted to weathering the economicstorm and has implemented a reformprogramme designed to double thecountry’s GDP by the year 2017.TheSeychelles’ government is also trying tointensify domestic agriculture, and isplanning to launch a training programme to encourage the country's citizens to growtheir own food.
Seychelles is taking a multi-stakeholderapproach to positioning itself as a globalleader in sustainable development. TheAmbassador and the Government ofSeychelles, after all, are well aware of thecountry's vulnerability to climate change. “All of our infrastructure is on the coast,” saidthe Ambassador. If a rise in sea levels were tooccur, the country’s airports, power stations,schools, ports, and hotels would be destroyed.
The Ambassador cautioned, “We willdisappear economically before we disappearphysically.” He emphasized the need formiddle income small developing states to begiven special consideration in internationalclimate change negotiations regardingOfficial Development Assistance related toadaptation and mitigation. ■
Ambassador Ronny Jumeau of the Republic ofSeychelles.
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Trade can be a powerful engine of growth inLandlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).Yet, collectively LLDCs only account for 2percent of the world’s total gross domesticproduct and the average GDP of LLDCs isroughly half of that of their maritimeneighbours. How do you see trade as anengine of growth for the LLDCs?
The reason is that LLDCs are secluded.Although they have natural resources, theLLDCs remain confronted with serioushandicaps, such as a lack of infrastructureand customs barriers that hinder trade. Inorder to make trade a powerful engine ofgrowth and development, the LLDCs mustnot only invest in infrastructure — toimprove the access routes to the sea, whilealso creating conditions for opening updomestically — but also raise the regulatoryconstraints and the customs barriers,modernize customs procedures in order to stimulate commercial transactions, andpromote the private sector. The LLDCs andtheir neighbours, the transit countries, mustwork in partnership and find adequatesolutions to numerous transit problems.
Ten of the 20 countries ranking lowest on thehuman development index are landlocked,according to UNDP’s Human DevelopmentReport 2007/8. The recent volatility of theglobal economy has the potential tocompound the situation further with sharpincreases in food and fuel prices that severelyaffect LLDCs. If the world is to meet theMillennium Development Goals by 2015 thepotential of trade for human development inlandlocked and transit countries mustbecome a reality. Where do you see the LLDCsfalling short of reaching the MDGs?
Growth and socio-economicdevelopment of the LLDCs suffer thecombined effect of crises currently affectingall countries of the world; whether it is a crisisof food, energy, finance, or the effects ofclimate change. Their vulnerability toexternal shocks constitutes a serioushandicap to the efforts that they deploy in order to achieve the MillenniumDevelopment Goals. During the midtermreview of the Almaty Programme of Action,held in New York in October 2008, theLLDCs reaffirmed their commitment toachieving the MDGs. A drastic cut in foreigndirect investment or Official DevelopmentAssistance to LLDCs would be prejudicial totheir already fragile economies. From thisperspective, the LLDCs should give priority to the strengthening of South-SouthCooperation and of partnerships withindustrialized countries. Putting in place theAlmaty Programme of Action with the activesupport of technical and financial partnerswill contribute to accelerating theachievement of the MDGs by the LLDCs.
According to the MDG Gap Task Force report,the proportion of Official DevelopmentAssistance (ODA) for Landlocked DevelopingCountries has not changed much since 1990;in 2006 LLDCs received 6.3 percent of theirGNI in ODA. When it comes to trade, in 2000
world leaders set the goal of developing anopen, rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory trading and financial situation,including special attention for LDCs, LLDCsand Small Island Developing States.Unfortunately the “failure to conclude theDoha Round constitutes the largest imple -mentation gap in the areas of trade”. Do youfeel that increased ODA will fill the gap intrade and generate growth for the LLDCs?
Yes, Official Development Assistancemust be considered as a supplement tonational and collective efforts being deployedby the LLDCs to assure continued growthand sustainable development. Reducing thegap between rich and poor countries cannotbe conceived without supporting measuresof ODA, such as debt cancellation, thecreation of a true partnership allowing LLDCsto diversify their exports, and above all toaccess markets for agricultural products. Asubstantial growth in ODA is necessary toassure the well being of populations. Theobjective we're aiming for is to obtain 0.7percent of the GDP of developed countries.
Trade capacity development work is alreadygeared towards accelerating the integrationof the Almaty Programme of Action prioritiesinto areas of work in the participating LLDCs.As the Chair of LLDCs, have you made anytangible suggestions towards narrowing thetrade divide?
I believe that a real partnership must beput in place between the LLDCs, transitcountries, financial and developmentorganisms, and developed countries. Such apartnership could set essential goals to carryout the Almaty Programme of Action, whichis the expression of the firm will of theinternational community to respond to thespecific needs of the LLDCs. One of theprincipal objectives of the Programme ofAction is to assure a better participation ofLLDCs in global trade. ■
Ambassador Oumar Dao, Permanent Representativeof the Republic of Mali to the United Nations.
LLDCs Must StrengthenSouth-South CooperationInterview with Ambassador Oumar Dao, PermanentRepresentative of the Republic of Mali to the United Nations
L A N D L O C K E D D E V E L O P I N G C O U N T R Y
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universally recognized as the most deservingof special measures, be it in terms of trade orofficial development assistance. Not only doLDCs lack a manufacturing base, but theyalso suffer from other constraints, such aswidespread poverty and weak technical,human and institutional capacities.
It is refreshing to note that for four yearsAfrica has experienced record economicgrowth with the Continent registering 5.7percent GDP growth and a per capita increaseof 3.7 percent in 2007. Do you feel thatdespite this growth, countries of the South will not be able to meet the MillenniumDevelopment Goals, specially since the currentfood crises is disproportionately affecting theAfrican continent?
The 5 to 6 percent annual growth of thelast few years is an important achievement. Itreflects the necessary, if sometimes painful,economic and political reforms that the LDCshave undertaken, and the support of theinternational community. The LDCs and thedevelopment partners must commendthemselves for this achievement. It shows thatwith the right mix of policies andinternational support, a lot can be achieved.
Do you feel that the LDCs will reach theirMDG targets?
Given the situation the LDCs are in, thisrate of growth is insufficient to meet theMDGs. This is a point recognized by theBrussels Programme itself, which sets a targetof a sustained annual growth rate of at least 7 percent in order to meet its goals. Weshouldn’t forget that the impact of the 5 to 6percent annual growth rate on poverty andhunger reduction has been limited due toincome inequalities and continuing high ratesof population growth. Moreover, thiseconomic growth has not been even acrossLDCs, it has tended to concentrate in a fewnatural resource-rich LDCs.
And the food crisis has added to this burden...Yes, the food and economic crises have
also shown that the little gains that have beenmade over the last few years can be wiped out overnight. Greater efforts are thereforeneeded to meet and sustain the 7 percentannual growth target of the BrusselsProgramme while, at the same time,addressing the challenges of income
inequalities and high population growth rates.
Recently it was pointed out that 22 of the 49Least Developed Countries deep in debt wereMuslim. Do you support a fund be set up byoil-exporting Islamic countries to support thepoorer least developed Muslim states?
Really, LDCs suffer in nearly equalmeasure, whether they are Muslim or not. Of course, a number of Arab Muslimcountries have a significant amount of notonly financial resources, but also technicalexpertise in a number of fields that couldsupport LDCs in general. I must add that anumber of these Muslim countries alreadyprovide support to the LDCs. While I dosupport the idea of a fund by oil-exportingMuslim countries, I don’t think that such afund should benefit only the Muslim LDCs.Rather; it should cover all the 49 LDCs.
In October last year you said that five LLDCs accounted for about two-thirds of theLLDC total FDI flow, while 15 LLDCs, or half of all LLDCs, received less than 12 percent in FDI. Have the LLDCs considered strategiesto mitigate factors that make LLDCsunattractive for investment?
FULFILLING THE COMMITMENTcontinued from page 3
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A P R I L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 APRIL: Special high-level meetings of the Economic and Social Council with
the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Trade Organization andUNCTAD
23-29 APRIL: ESCAP Commission, 65th session Special Body on LDCs and LLDCsUNESCAP, Bangkok
29-30 APRIL: Economic and Social Council, Resumed Organizational Session
M A Y4-15 MAY: Commission on Sustainable Development, Seventeenth Session
United Nations, New York
26 MAY-5 JUNE: UNDP and UNFPA, Executive Board, Annual Session
J U N E1-4 JUNE: High-level UN Conference on the World financial and economic
crisis and its impact on development
2 JUNE: OSAA/OHRLLS/UNU, Impact of Financial Crisis on LDCs and Africa
25-26 JUNE: Third Meeting of Trade Ministers of LLDCs Gaborone, Botswana
J U L Y7-8 JULY: UNOP/OSAA/OHRLLS - "Digital Health and Development
Cooperation in Africa and the LDCs" - Ministerial RoundtableBreakfast, ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review, Geneva
8 JULY: Matching Health Outcomes with Human Development Needs inAfrica and the LDCs - Roundtable session of the ECOSOC AnnualMinisterial Review (AMR)
8-10 JULY: G-8 Summit La Maddalena, Italy
In recent years, many LLDCs haveliberalized their economies and opened up new sectors for private investors. This has stimulated both local and foreigninvestment, creating new business venturesand helping to turn around loss-making orinefficient state enterprises.
Despite these efforts, the LLDC share of global FDI inflows over the last 8 years has been a mere 0.8 per cent, with majorconcentration in the oil and natural gassectors.
Do you suggest a pragmatic solution to this issue?
I think a two-pronged strategy needs to be adopted by LLDCs to make theireconomies more attractive to FDI. First, they need to mitigate the disadvantagesassociated with being landlocked throughnational and regional measures to improveinfrastructure, investment climate, and accessto markets. Greater regional integration andprivate-public partnerships are very importantin this regard. Second, they need to refocustheir economies on goods and services thatare of higher value, lower bulk, and moretradable, irrespective of location. ■
TAX HAVENS HARMPOORER NATIONS. Daysbefore G-20 leaders werescheduled to meet at thehighly anticipated Londonsummit, a study conductedby Oxfam Internationaldetermined that the LeastDeveloped Countries lose upto $124 billion dollars a yeardue to offshore assets held intax havens. In recent weeksBritish Prime MinisterGordon Brown and other G-20 leaders have joinedthose in civil society who arecalling for a serious crackdown on tax havens “thatsiphon off money fromdeveloping countries…thatcould otherwise be spent on bed nets, vaccinations,economic development and jobs.” While majoreconomies lose money to tax evasion, theconsequences in developingnations are much moresevere. Upon launching theirStolen Asset Recovery (STAR)programme last year, theWorld Bank and the UNOffice of Drugs and Crimereported that up to $1.6trillion of annual illicitfinancial flows from criminalactivity, corruption and tax evasion. Without theresources or capacity tochallenge tax evaders,poorer countries mustreplace that lost revenuewith aid or debt.
VICIOUS CYCLE OF WATER-BORNE DISEASES. InSouthern Sudan, wherewater is not just a basicsurvival need, but a game of risk, children fall victim to preventable water-bornediseases caused bycontaminated water andpoor sanitary conditions.Diarrhea prominentlyimpacts developing regionsand hits young childrenswiftly. The “vicious cycle,”as identified by the WorldHealth Organization (WHO),of ongoing exposure tounsafe water which leads todiarrhea can render youngchildren seriously ill and insevere cases lead to death.UNICEF has undertakenseveral initiatives specificallyin Southern Sudan to ensuremore awareness for children.
DEMAND FOR SAFEDRINKING WATER. Neverbefore has the demand forsafe, drinking water been as great as it is today, cites the recent United Nations World Water Development Report. The report is acomprehensive assessmentof the planet’s freshwaterresources and urges forintensification in efforts toimprove sustainable watermanagement. There areseveral factors that create“widespread shortages,”which include increases in energy production,population growth, andconsumption habits. The
impact of climate changeexacerbates the situationeven further. According to the report, the world is currently on track inreaching the drinking watertarget of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDG).It highlights sub-SaharanAfrica as an area that is farfrom reaching its target withabout 340 million peoplelacking access to safe,drinking water. In addition,the report projected thatbetween 75 and 250 millionpeople in Africa couldexperience increased waterstress because of climatechange by 2020.
BIOTECHNOLOGY MAYHELP ALLEVIATE FOODINSECURITY AND CLIMATECHANGE. The Times ofZambia reported thatrecently government officialshave been urged by theZambia Agriculture ResearchInstitute to speed up theprocess of establishing aBiological TechnologyAuthority to approve and
supervise research anddevelopment for the good of Zambia’s people.Biotechnology is hoped tohelp alleviate some of thegrowing dilemmas wroughtby food insecurity andclimate change by creatingalternative energy sources,such as ethanol; improvingcrop yields to feed morepeople and reduce foodprices; and developingvaccines to eradicate certaindiseases. In March 31,Zimbabwe’s government-run The Herald reported on similar agriculturaltechnology programsunderway in other parts ofsouthern Africa. RegionalAgricultural andEnvironment InitiativesNetwork–Africa is putting $5 million worth offinancing into local researchinstitutions specifically todevelop agricultural andenvironmental technologiesto aid rural farmers inZimbabwe. ■
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