Finding the resources to reduce poverty in least developed countries

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) convenes in New York from 28 June - 23 July 2004. The theme of the High-Level Segment of the meeting (28-30 June) is "Resources mobilization and enabling environment for poverty eradication in the context of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010".

Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are those that the United Nations considers the most vulnerable, both economically and socially. There are currently 50 nations that fall into this category, most of them in Africa.

ECOSOC is the second highest deliberative body in the UN system of member governments. The High-Level Segment will result in a Ministerial Declaration that will be presented to the UN General Assembly.

This year's meeting will examine ways to mobilize the resources required, both domestically and internationally, to carry out a set of seven commitments known as the Brussels Programme of Action. LDCs and their development partners agreed to this Programme at the Third UN Conference on the LDCs (Brussels 2001) as a way of reaffirming their commitment to reducing widespread poverty in these nations. Ranging from building human and institutional capacity to protecting the environment, the commitments are all areas where IFAD has field experience.

During the ECOSOC Coordination Segment on the theme “Coordinated and integrated United Nations system approach to promote rural development in developing countries with due consideration to least developed countries, for poverty eradication and sustainable development” (1-7 July), IFAD will participate in a panel discussion:

• "Working together to promote integrated rural development in developing countries, particularly LDCs";. Rural development was the focus of discussions at the High-Level segment at last year's ECOSOC meeting and panellists discuss ways for improving coordination at all levels.

Gender mainstreaming will also be discussed in a separate panel during the ECOSOC Coordination Segment as this is the second theme on the agenda. Participants will examine ways to more thoroughly implement gender mainstreaming and review progress made in implementing the ECOSOC Agreed Conclusions of 1997 to take into account a gender perspective when taking any planned action, including legislation, policies and programmes. (IFAD approved a Plan of Action for mainstreaming a gender perspective into its operations last year.)

Since 1978, IFAD has financed more than 300 projects in 44 LDCs for a commitment of more than USD 3.2 billion.