Focusing international cooperation on climate change solely on the establishment of emission targets is not adequate: the latter does not adequately address developmental challenges or help achieve internationally agreed goals. The international development agenda needs to specify the actions and approaches required for ensuring economic behaviour that is compatible with environmental constraints in a way that minimizes aggregate costs, protects the vulnerable and maximizes economic growth. The integration of climate-change and development goals will require a fundamental reorientation of the current developmental trajectory so that the carbon intensity of production is reduced while…
Download
The publication addresses two themes. The first is unemployment in developing countries. Tackling this problem requires a more balanced and coordinated international strategy for sustainable global growth. At the national level, economic growth is important, but the quality of such growth also matters. It is also necessary to create fiscal space to ensure the availability of a skilled workforce that can meet the technological challenges posed by globalization. The second theme is that of economic vulnerability and instability. Required domestic policy measures include the promotion of good governance, sound fiscal and financial management and enhanced human and social development. The…
Download
Sub-Saharan Africa lags behind other regions in achieving the development goals. Success largely depends on countries themselves owning, planning and executing the necessary policies and programmes. Government's capacity needs to be enhanced, and support from the international community is required. Both the quantity and the quality of aid need to be improved. Countries recovering from conflict face additional challenges. The Committee proposes that a monitoring unit be established within the United Nations to identify those countries most at risk from conflict and that a UN post-conflict reconstruction facility be created to serve as a prompt-response instrument for donor coordination.
Download
Achieving poverty reduction in the least developed countries will require the mobilization of substantial financial resources. At the country level it will depend on (a) improved budgetary management and revenue collection and enhanced private savings and investment opportunities; (b) the generation of foreign exchange, through increased exports and remittances; (c) the ability, in partnership with donors, to reduce existing debt burdens while increasing the quantity, quality and effectiveness of new aid flows; and (d) the ability to attract private capital (investment and commercial inflows) and to reverse capital flight where it has occurred. In designing institutions for good governance…
Download
The attainment of international development goals requires addressing rural poverty. Rural development must reflect the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and must thus be multi-targeted. Policy measures include the expansion of education and health services, and the provision of incentives to rural populations to make use of such services. Also important is an increase in agricultural productivity and the removal of distortions and barriers to trade. Adequate provision of global public goods can contribute to effective poverty reduction by mitigating global risks and reducing public "bads". New institutional and financial arrangements need to be developed to help ensure the provision of…
Download
Sub-Saharan African countries continue to fall behind in terms of economic and social development. The persistence of conflict and post-conflict situations as well as the HIV/AIDS pandemic, calls for large additional transfers of resources. Aid needs to be better targeted towards countries with low incomes or special needs. It is only through the development of human and social capabilities that inequality and increased marginalization can be prevented. The creation of an African aid and development portal to provide a gateway to all development and aid projects in Africa, including those of non-governmental organizations, is proposed.
Download
Africa needs to take control over its own development strategy through a participatory and coordinated approach that involves a more effective mobilization and use of domestic financial and non-financial resources, the development of innovative and dynamic partnerships, and improved governance at both the national and multilateral levels. Better governance requires enhanced transparency, sound management of resources and a stable economic and regulatory environment.Recommendations on how to enhance the effectiveness of the UN system and multilateral institutions to support participatory development in Africa are discussed. These include the need to address coordination failures and the…
Download
The targets of international development strategies have not been met in the past. A different approach is needed. Implementation should be readily monitored, progress measured and, where necessary, supplementary actions identified. A revitalized flow of development finance through both official channels and private institutions is necessary. Democratic processes of good governance and increased trade openness are also required for a peaceful and prosperous world. More effective integration of the developing countries into the global trading system remains a major challenge. Enhanced access to and improvement of education, skills, infrastructure and new technologies are increasingly needed…
Download
The generation, quality and stability of employment are key strategic dimensions of development policy. Poverty is prominent among women; combating gender inequalities therefore forms an important component of poverty eradication. Policies for growth and job creation include support for labour-intensive sectors, self-employment and small and medium-sized enterprises. Macroeconomic stability and a consistent commitment to public investment in education, health, infrastructure and research are also required. In addition, new institutions are needed to improve the functioning of markets and countries' adaptability to globalization. Liberalization should be accompanied by actions, in both the…
Download
Welcome to the United Nations
