27 May 2016 – Only a handful of countries are likely to graduate out of the ‘least developed’ category despite a 10-year, internationally-agreed plan to halve the number by 2020. Lack of “21st century solutions”, weak international cooperation and failure to address the trade challenges of the world’s poorest countries are reasons why they continue to lag behind, states a joint report released today.
A group of seven development partners (LDC IV Monitor), including the Commonwealth, conducted a mid-term review of the Istanbul Programme of Action (2011–2020) – the global 10-year strategy designed to boost economic growth in the poorest countries. Their findings reveal that with existing support mechanisms only ten countries are likely to move up from being least developed by 2020, rather than the 24 envisaged in the strategy.
The report notes the number of least developed countries (LDCs) has doubled, not fallen since the United Nations (UN) introduced the categorisation in 1971. It warns that unless the international community steps up efforts to improve the trade prospects of LDCs, they are unlikely to reach development targets.
“Trade is a crucial mechanism to sustain economic growth and must play a central role in alleviating poverty. Our analysis shows that while the IPoA provides important guidelines to address the developmental challenges, we need more targeted policies and actions focused on the improvement of productive capacities to boost export performance and diversification,” said Dr Mohammad Razzaque, Commonwealth Secretariat’s Head of International Trade Policy.
Every ten years since 1981 the UN has convened a special conference to consider global action programmes and to support development in LDCs, currently a group numbering 48 countries. This grouping is deemed the most disadvantaged in the development process and faces the greatest risk of failing to overcome poverty. The Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) is a global policy agenda for LDCs, including targets to help them progress from this ranking.
The LDC IV Monitor was established to provide independent and objective monitoring of the programme. In 2014, the group produced their first report to track progress. The group’s recent mid-term review focuses on four themes: structural transformation, export diversification, prospects for countries’ graduation from LDC classification and implications of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The report finds that many objectives set out in the IPoA are unlikely to be achieved. “The LDCs face a set of interconnected global challenges – economic, technological, demographic, environmental, security and governance-wise – with the potential to seriously undermine their prospects of achieving the SDGs, as well as IPoA goals,” it states.
However, there are some reasons for optimism, the report notes, which include rising agricultural yields, reduction in infant mortality rates and growing capital formation. But if LDCs are to advance, more targeted policies and actions are needed particularly in the areas of capacity building and economic diversification says the report.
The report will be launched at a global, high-level event in Antalya, Turkey on 29 May. The event will be attended by political figures, international organisations, the private sector and civil society to review progress on the IPoA. Trade experts from the Commonwealth will present their findings.
Dominica is NOT ready let alone positioned to be elevated to higherranking as long as this corrupt, deceptive Labour government is in power. We are not getting anywhere let alone to know where we heading. This PM and his corrupt government cannot, unable to hold a by election on their merit for fear of losing, but has to resort to a flush of borrowed money from our taxes and Gods knows where from to waste money, as a ole woman say to buy us and all of a sudden money to put up projects by election.
The report noted: “But if LDCs are to advance, more targeted policies and actions are needed particularly in the areas of capacity building and economic diversification says the report”.
Does anyone see Dominica under this questionable leader will aim to achieve this, let alone to understand what it is, where to start in absent of the Red Clinic that has created and increased poverty and low production in Dominica. The induction now is begging, bobol, and false hopes for poor people.
Whether we have educated, qualified or non educated people; in Dominica the root cause of poverty is laziness, there is always something for everyone to do from all walks of life, while we will always have need to have quality jobs for qualified educated individuals, too many people want to sit back expect to eat and drink without making the effort to eat through the sweat of thy brow, to make it worse, the government is wasting hard earned tax money on these lazy people to give them comfort at the expense of those who toil hard to make it in life.
Imagine 70k people we all should be filthy rich, just look at areas that ought to be employing Dominicans, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, service industries, construction, public service support, music and entertainment,among others
Can any one tell me after 16 years of this lazy corrupt government what have they done to support any of the above to ensure success in any of those revenue generating areas and to alleviate poverty?
You are so right and if Dominicans are lazy it is because of the Red Clinic, money sealed in envelops given to special couriers to deliver to people, wherever. If our people are lazy, which I do not believe, it is because of political distractions and buying of peoples` minds and also the lack of work, employment, markets to drive one to be engaged in meaningful employment. Who is to blame…..? GO ask Skerrit and all those engage in political deception. Go ask the President who that is.
In this life time…..wishful thinking…..
There is no doubt that people should be careful about how many children they make and limit the number to how many they can care for, based on their income and time available to spend with the children. Gone are the days when some low income families could make many children and say: “once their mouths split, they must eat…”
Even wealthy people, who can afford many children these days, make only two or three. So, what’s with poor people’s attitude of making more children than they can take care of?
At least over the years, women in Dominica have began to see the wisdom in birth control and have been keeping poverty at bay by being responsible with their sexual health and activities.
Education is Freedom! So until the UN and the rest of the super powers do not seriously tackle that educational gap we have in the least developed countries , the cycle of poverty and under development will last way beyond 100 years. Because uneducated people will continue to sing for their plate of food, thus the Gov\’t will keep them that way just to remain in power. There is enough for everyone\’s need but not for his greed.
By nature , every people needs someone to look down on, so the richer countries will not elevate the plight of the poorer ones just to be, \”up there!\”
People have to learn to be responsible for themselves. UN dont run these countries. Government leaders, community leaders and parents need to ensure kids get education they need to develop in this new world.
The poor has been with us since Jesus was a little boy. Poverty was not invented by the Labor Party; matter of fact, the degree of poverty and worker frustration in the colonies during the 1930’s reached such a disastrous level that it motivated a study by the Moyne Commission which hastened the creation of trade unions and eventually the formation of Labor Paries through out the Caribbean. Can education replace the vital function of farm production in unforgiving terrains of 2 acre plots or construction labor in an underpopulated under mechanized country? The Trade Unions in developed countries have taken total responsibility for worker training, safety and old age security so that even without education the underprivileged might function as useful members of society. Those who hold the politician responsible for all the ills of the country need to assist in job creation instead of fighting to rule. “Ill fares the land……”
Winston. How would you determine the ones who will get educated and the ones who will not and thus go onto work construction and farming?
But you has a good point
After the 30`s we have the Labour Party of the 90`s and 2016`s….for over ten years brought poverty to us while their bank books, Panama papers are flying high with interest.
People get jobs and well paid brings security and more jobs. The jobs are only created by some few who knows a lot few, with big cash
I just hope Dominica is not included in one of these poorest
Countries cause we are very rich in natural resources
I agree. You know the saying, “God help those who help themselves” to acquire an education and obtain a good paying job. They must not be laissez-faire. There really is no place in this world, no exception in D/ca for lazy people. If they are, they are dead ducks or sitting ducks doing nothing.
A tropical country as D/ca, some of those people could do a lot for their livelihood.
These people must be taught from childhood and as students, as nationals they are responsible for their livelihood and to contribute to the revenue of the country.
Some people assume that they are here solely for themselves and that the government should consistently help them. Not so!
What they are also ignorant of, God will hold them accountable for living mainly for themselves and while He gave them his God-given precious allotted time, they are to make the most of it and contribute their fair share also to their nation. No one is exonerated and no will be exonerated.
…yes, true, but not converted in actual cash and salaries……because our leaders appears to be corrupt and taking good care of themselves. They are not in poverty, their homes and pockets and families nice….nice indeed.
There is an old saying you can bring a donkey to the water but cannot make it drink. When policy makers put thier goal of prime minister for life before that of thier country. What do you expect. Winning elections is about keeping people in poverty and feeding on thier ignorance.
Shaka can’t you make a valid point without dwelling on the injustices that afflict Dominicans. Dominica has a population problem; the population is about the same as it was 50 years ago – and it’s not for lack of activity. Migrants build commerce and communities, but in Dominica they are not made welcome and they leave. The private sector is what builds a country – not government! When we reduce government to a distribution center we must replenish the stock. Records show that less than 20% of Dominicans pay taxes, meaning that14,000 people are responsible for providing you a lifestyle like that of the US while you heap abuse upon them. The Greeks built Rome, the French built England, Africans, Poles, Irish built America. Dominicans will never build Dominica.
Tell me where above i mentioned Dominica. Is it only Dominica that has a prime minister? What i was eluding to is the fact that UN spent all this money on the poor coutries to reduce poverty and it is not reaching its desired effect. The reason being the leaders in most of these countries are not concerned about doing what is best. Some use money to play politics to get re elected. Staying in power is more important than fixing the real problems. If what i said above brought Dominica to mind then you said it. You agree it a valid point. So you know the common denominator in all poor countries. I am quite aware Dominica has a population problem.
Some of us will not always agree on certain topics. Possessing our individual character and personality traits this is the reason we view matters differently and differ in some cases. I consider this no problem for if we are matured adults we should comprehend this and agree to disagree amicably.
You made some excellent points. In discussing taxes, I became aware there are some D/cans who do not pay taxes, land/property taxes. I do think it is high time the government do something about that. I could elaborate more on this.
I reside in Canada. Everyone pays taxes with the exception of those whose income is below the poverty line. They must not own a house and other property otherwise they will be taxed.
I hope in time and soon enough this will change. The government needs money. Overseas organizations will not be able to keep up with assisting those countries for every country is experiencing financial hardships. So much more could be stated about that.
winston , you making a walid point also, but dominica do not only have a population problem, for dominica main problem is bad governance,looking at how moneys are being wasted ,here in dominica on unnecessary things,thinking of the recent release of the corruption in the panama papers ,where government and its cronies is selling thousand of dominica passport and instead of putting the monies in the treasury ,they are hiding it in offshore banks for themselves,
so as we see , the country is making alot of moneys ,but our main problem is bad governance
we were striving in the 80`s,,,why..? because we had disciplined government….honest government, sincere government, no hand voleur in the kitty…….So our current government is leaderless, morelorless corrupt big time and are the ones killing this country
Stop corruption first in every country,those involved should be imprisoned ,seize their property, make them refund every missing cent. Every country where the majority of the population remains poor has corruption to at the highest level and Dominica is one of them.Sad to say that Dominica went through hurricane David ,even after life was much better,Dominica is improving in the reverse.build plants or factories that can produce first necessities for the population and for exportation.When politician fill their pockets and the pockets of their own family ,friends and accomplices they don’t care about the poor people,they make them believe that they care only before elections by giving a few dollars ,cement ,galvanize sheets ,toilets and a few drinks which cannot be sustainable for the future.
No such thing as “21st” century solutions… The only solution to this is too stop making so much damn children.
Dominica has already stopped “making “children which is our current biggest challenge. The lack of youth and the ageing of the population.
I could not help notice only 1086 students sitting the grade six exams. Gone are the days when schools had hudreds of kids. We are facing a major population problem in Dominica that is going to affect everything from taxes, to social security, to housing, to economics. Our communities have primsry schools thst are practically empty. Our policy makers are oblivious to the fact and doing absolutely nothing. It is going to be a real problem very soon. Not enough is considered on the importance of our main resource, population, in the Caribbean.
Well you and the 11 geniuses that upvoted you should go and make some more, you must not be in Dominica because is me that seeing them making. Dominica biggest challenge is lack of brains, judging by the amount of down votes I received it just further proves my point!
@shaka zulu Our population is roughly 70k how much children do you expect to do exams? If you send back all the Dominicans that left home our population would probably spike from 70k to 700k. I’m a young person under 30 and I well ready to leave like everybody else in the country because it’s stagnant and Non-progressive.
Shaka zula
so in the hard economical time i going make children?
i have three already
and its not an easy road
the work is on me their father disappear/ missing for years now
Education and empowerment of women. Give them control over their birth cycles. Remove all elements that oppose this. End of
In this present-day of ideologies, you may have your own and varied opinion.
It depends how many children and with whom. Married people have all the right to pro-create. Their license is “marriage” in a consecrated Church to God.
Would love to say more about that; probably in a book.
In case your ignorant mind, be it inexperienced and not well-learned does not know it, the world must continue as long as God wants it to continue. Therefore, human beings will procreate. They should do so legally as previously mentioned.
Our Almighty Father said to Adam and Eve, “Go and multiply.” If people cease having children, consider that humanity will eliminate themselves. This is a topic which could be elaborated on.
No one tells the animals to cease having animals. Do you want the world to be overrun by animals rather than human beings?
Why don’t you Face the Facts and one day open your mind to the reality in Dominica that we are occupied, hooked on a corrupt leader and a corrupt DLP government. Go investigate for yourself and see Dominica of this corrupt incompetent government. Even the civil servants in there know that.
So go tell us what God say about the abuse of his poor and deprived people. You recall why Jesus protested and throw down the stands in the market place? well it was because the government was corrupt, they had too much power and could not be trusted. Same scenario over 2000 years now in Dominica,
The only point you have proven so far is to be an id10t, it exposes u on practically every comment you make, We can see why u get so defensive.