The least developed countries report 2010: towards a new international development architecture for LDCs
This report focuses on the boombust cycle of the past decade in the least developed countries (LDCs) and offers alternatives for the coming decade, while they will be disproportionately affected by changing climatic conditions. It highlights that LDCs are particularly vulnerable to climate change and its catastrophic effects (e.g. droughts, extreme temperature and floods) due to their economic weaknesses, including low levels of economic and human development, strong dependence on natural resources and climate-sensitive sectors as a source of local livelihoods and national income. It calls for a significant injection of financial resources to respond to the challenges of climate change in LDCs, including reorienting their economies towards more climate-resilient and ecologically sustainable growth paths.
The overall report calls for the creation of a new international development architecture (NIDA) for the LDCs aimed at: a) reversing their marginalization in the global economy and helping them in their catch-up efforts; (b) supporting a pattern of accelerated economic growth and diversification which would improve the general welfare and well-being of all their people; and (c) helping these countries graduate from LDC status. It shows, through alternative policy scenarios, that accelerated growth and poverty reduction are achievable through policy changes. It proposes five major pillars of the NIDA: finance, trade, commodities, technology, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. It identifies a forward-looking agenda for action in the NIDA for LDCs in all five areas. It is intended to serve as a major input to the policy debate for the fourth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries to be held in Turkey in 2011.