DECLARATION ADOPTED BY THE 10th ANNUAL MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE LDCs, HELD DURING THE 55th SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

TD//47/CRP.4 Page 1 Distr. RESTRICTED TD//47/CRP.4 6 October 2000 ENGLISH ONLY TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD Forty-seventh session Geneva, 9 October 2000 Agenda item 4 () Review status preparatory process United Nations Conference Developed Countries DECLARATION ADOPTED BY THE TENTH ANNUAL MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, HELD DURING THE FIFTY-FIFTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY York, 18 September 2000 attached text circulated request Coordinator developed countries (Bangladesh) form language received. GE.00- TD//47/CRP.4 Page 2 Declaration adopted Tenth Annual Ministerial Meeting Developed Countries, held fifty- session United Nations General Assembly York, 18 September 2000 , Ministers Developed Countries, met United Nations headquarters 55th session General Assembly, 18 September 2000, Recalling Ministerial Declaration adopted 29 September 1999 fifty- session General Assembly, recalling Declarations Developed Countries adopted WTO Ministerial meeting Seattle South Summit Havana 29 November 1999 14 April 2000 Communiqué Ministers Trade Developed Countries adopted UNCTAD Bangkok 13th February 2000, Stressing importance UN Conference LDCs (LDC III) held Brussels 14 24 2001, account outcome session Preparatory Committee United Nations Conference Developed Countries (LDC-III), Welcoming adoption United Nations Millennium declaration Heads State Government Millennium Summit York, assessed progress implementation Programme Action Developed Countries 1990s, solemnly declare : 1. LDCs, 1990s decade continuing poverty marginalization, time fundamental global economy resulting globalization, liberalization interdependence rapid advances science technology engendered unprecedented increases prosperity developed countries. background, matter grave concern vigorous political economic reform efforts, LDCs, group, benefit meaningfully global trends developments meet goals Paris Programme Action 1990s. telling LDC meet international targets set 2000 major global conferences. Globalization liberalization challenged capacity LDCs adjust competitive international environment. 2. United Nations Conference LDCs (LDC-III) opportunity redress plight world' vulnerable peoples adopting global deal, proposed Secretary-General United Nations UNCTAD , brings bear fruits human progress knowledge, required financial resources beneficial integration LDCs TD//47/CRP.4 Page 3 economy. Socio-economic progress LDCs achieved, genuine restoration partnership LDCs development partners, developed countries, basis human solidarity shared responsibility. 3. reaffirm commitment pursue macro-economic sectoral policies conducive promoting growth development eradicating poverty countries. underscore progress economic transformation LDCs 1990s, albeit inadequate, primarily due wide-ranging reforms undertaken countries difficult domestic external conditions. note grave concern numerous declarations, promises commitments favour LDCs , great extent, failed materialized. result, benefits national policy reforms adjustment programmes adopted LDCs - fully realized. cases, negative impact. situation aggravated adverse external circumstances facing LDCs. , continue efforts create conditions improved implementation national policies external support measures economic growth diversification social progress, sustainable development. 4. United Nations Millennium Declaration adopted Heads State Government Millennium Summit York, undertook address Special Developed Countries, , call industrialized countries specific actions areas market access, debt relief Official Development Assistance (ODA). 5. timely actions Secretary-General Conference convening preparatory process participation stakeholders, including representatives LDCs, Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee (IPC) LDC-III meeting York form 24 28 July 2000, fully endorse outcome. note appreciation progress continuing efforts preparations country, -regional regional inter-agency levels. call parts UN system relevant international organizations fully participate process formulating Programme Action implementation. 6. note numbers pending issues considered preparatory process examined fully preparatory session . , , support recommendation session Preparatory Committee convene additional meeting preparatory committee pending issues. request General Assembly endorse recommendation urge Assembly adequate resources participation representatives Developed Countries additional meeting Preparatory Committee final meeting April 2001. regard, urge Assembly Secretary-General adequate funding convening meeting. 7. reiterate effective participation LDCs preparatory process Conference connection note concern slow progress mobilization resources . express appreciation development partners resources LDC-III preparations, call bilateral multilateral development partners provide resources Secretary-General Conference purpose. TD//47/CRP.4 Page 4 8. stress importance strengthening linkages formulation implementation Programme Action adopted LDC-III activities related follow- implementation major United Nations conferences summits held convened future, including high- level international intergovernmental event financing development. strongly underline mobilization external resources LDCs, relating ODA, debts,, market access, FDI building productive capacitor beat forefront agenda Conference. 9. effectiveness LDC-III outcome addressing development concerns LDCs critically depend quality preparations, follow- implementation. regard, strongly stress provide adequate human capacity financial resources UNCTAD, focal point activities, provision regular budget resources United Nations. deeply regrettable level regular staff resources UNCTAD secretariat unit Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) slashed 39 16 1990s, deleterious effects monitoring follow- Paris Programme Action LDCs, internationally agreed programmes LLDCs SIDS. , , note appreciation interim measures undertaken Secretary-General context regular budget biennium 2000-2001, including deployment staff resources allocated 54th session General Assembly. order ensure continuity preparatory process effectiveness follow- implementation outcome LDC-III national, regional global levels, recommend 55th session General Assembly fully restore minimum, level resources allocated secretariat unit LDCs, LLDCs SIDS 45th session General Assembly LDC-III 1990, keeping high priority accorded LDCs. 10. express appreciation Executive Secretary United Nations Conference Developed Countries Special Coordinator Division LDCs, LLDCs SIDS (Ms. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka) contribution preparations leading LDC-III, regard, urge role filled matter urgency permanent basis order ensure continuity preparations LDC III. 11. review implementation commitments undertaken Programme Action 1990s major task LDC-III. , objective assessments commitments areas Official Development Assistance (ODA), debt, investment trade, implemented agreed. providing LDCs substantially increased external financial resources - committed Programme Action - meeting agreed targets ODA, donor assistance fallen historically levels years. resulting shrinkage resource availability aggravated rising debt overhang falling commodity prices. , turn, immensely complicated task eradicating poverty LDCs, remain poorest segment entire human society. donor countries, continued give high priority LDCs ODA allocation, meet exceed ODA targets, deserve deep appreciation. absence meaningful external private flows, increased availability adequate sustained levels external official financial resources critical LDCs' efforts jump-start sustain growth development. call TD//47/CRP.4 Page 5 development partners , meet commitments Programme Action substantially increasing level aggregate financial support LDCs. 12. heavy debt burden debt-servicing obligations continue negative impact social economic development LDCs undermine ability LDCs mobilize external private flows. debt cancellation, growth prospects development LDCs continue bleak. regard, commend initiatives significantly reduce debt HIPCs, majority LDCs. important step direction, marking clear improvement original HIPC framework. , efforts, substantial alleviation LDCs' debt burden sight. reiterate appeal creditor countries institutions expeditiously cancel outstanding debt owed LDCs. 13. urge urgent efforts collectively improve productive capacities address supply-side constraints, including development physical institutional infrastructure human resources enhanced competitiveness, faced LDCs order pave sustained sustainable development. regard, continue urge early effective implementation Integrated Framework Trade- Related Technical Assistance LDCs. 14. world trade, marginalization LDCs accelerated 1990s. Strengthening LDCs' capacity fully effectively participate multilateral trading system important part international efforts integrate LDCs world economy. Accession LDCs members WTO organization put simplified fast track complete process year application. special differential measures favour LDCs rendered binding making integral part rules disciplines governing multilateral trading system. call granting bound, duty-free quota- free market access products LDCs trading partners. stress implementing existing multilateral trade agreements future negotiations international community ensure obligations LDCs consistent level development capacity carry obligations. 15. note process globalization liberalization poses risks challenges Developed Countries, vulnerable , emphasise importance improvements LDC criteria reflective structural weakness, impediments human development, constraints integration world economy, vulnerability environmental ecological natural disasters, called General Assembly resolution 51/183 16 December 1996. stress give greater weight economic vulnerability index (EVI) determine qualification graduation LDC status necessity examining costs graduation implications sustainability development result exclusion list LDCs. urge question graduation LDC deferred refinement criteria completed. call LDC-III review matter. TD//47/CRP.4 Page 6 16. developing land-locked Small Island Developing States facing geographical constraints transit-transportation aspects integrating economies international -trading system. previous UN conferences LDCs, specific transit-transport issues land-locked LDCs adequately addressed preparatory process LDC-III. connection, express full support convening Ministerial-level Meeting Land-locked Transit Developing Countries Representatives Donor Countries Financial Development Institutions. 17. growing number humanitarian environmental emergencies, natural disasters, onslaught fatal diseases HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis communicable diseases continued ravage LDCs. stress addressing concerns form integral part sustainable development plans affected countries communities. International cooperation address emergency situations strengthen response capacity countries great importance. cases, dealing medical emergencies LDCs, implementation agreed Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regimes accomplished human face: LDCs flexible, differential supportive treatment IPR regimes. call bilateral, intergovernmental -governmental organizations continue genuine contribution supplementing national efforts tackling humanitarian emergencies natural disasters. 18. recognize information revolution widespread impact traditional economic social relations. technology gap developed developing countries, developed, important factor contributing increasing marginalization. exponential growth field information communication technology (ICT), Developed Countries remained periphery. Lack infrastructure, lack capital invest rapidly evolving, costly technology, lack human resources capacity absorb highly technical knowledge-intensive domain left lagging ICT revolution. recognized increased flow information improve peoples lives direct impact productivity, alleviation poverty, playing role education, health, nutrition, timely management disasters. international community special role bridging digital divide working universal access information knowledge global public goods. 19. express appreciation Prime Minister Bangladesh, Excellency Sheikh Hasina Government continued leadership coordination LDCs forums, request Prime Minister continue play important role, including Heads State Government international institutions, issues relating LDC III critical preparatory process. *****