Develop further an open trading and financial system that is rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory, includes a commitment to good governance, development and poverty reduction— nationally and internationally.
Address the least developed countries' special needs. This includes tariff- and quota-free access for their exports; enhanced debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries; cancellation of official bilateral debt; and more generous official development assistance for countries committed to poverty reduction.
Address the special needs of landlocked and small island developing States.
Deal comprehensively with developing countries' debt problems through national and international measures to make debt sustainable in the long term.
In cooperation with the developing countries, develop decentand productive work for youth.
In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries.
In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies— especially information and communications technologies. Are we getting any closer to these goals in 2007? Have a look at this table.
The Problem
Developing countries need help in their development. They simply do not have the money or technology to develop by themselves. They will need some help to start this development. After that, with laws in the world that are more fair to all countries, life will be better for many people.
Some of the problems are explained below.
Debts
Many developing countries have very large debts that they cannot ever pay. They pay the interest on these debts instead of spending this money on developing their country.
Subsidies
The rules of developed countries do not help developing countries. Many governments of developed countries subsidise products made in their country. For example, they may pay their farmers extra money for their wheat so that wheat is cheaper when the people buy it in shops. Wheat from developing countries cannot be grown and transported to developed countries for these prices, which are artificially low.
High import tariffs
The rules of developed countries do not help developing countries. Many of these laws are about importing and exporting goods.
Some governments have rules for specific goods coming from other countries. For example, the person importing clothes from China into The Netherlands will have to pay an extra 25% in tariffs, which clothes made in The Netherlands do not have to pay. These types of laws are good for the people in the developed countries because they can sell their goods, but they are not good for developing countries because they have a disadvantage in this competition.
New technologies
Many of the world's new technologies, like computers and new medicine, are invented in the developed world. People in the developing world need to be able to use this technology. They can then use this to develop their countries.
Landlocked and Small Island States
Landlocked countries like Zambia, Nepal, Bolivia and Mali have no harbours. The cost of transporting goods over land is higher than over sea, and so landlocked countries are at a disadvantage. Small Island States like the Maldives, Jamaica and Singapore have special problems also. Much of what they need cannot be produced on their islands and so must be imported. And what will happen when the sea level rises?
The goals
Are we getting any closer to these goals in 2007? Have a look at this table.
The Problem
Developing countries need help in their development. They simply do not have the money or technology to develop by themselves. They will need some help to start this development. After that, with laws in the world that are more fair to all countries, life will be better for many people.
Some of the problems are explained below.
Debts
Many developing countries have very large debts that they cannot ever pay. They pay the interest on these debts instead of spending this money on developing their country.Subsidies
The rules of developed countries do not help developing countries. Many governments of developed countries subsidise products made in their country. For example, they may pay their farmers extra money for their wheat so that wheat is cheaper when the people buy it in shops. Wheat from developing countries cannot be grown and transported to developed countries for these prices, which are artificially low.High import tariffs
The rules of developed countries do not help developing countries. Many of these laws are about importing and exporting goods.Some governments have rules for specific goods coming from other countries. For example, the person importing clothes from China into The Netherlands will have to pay an extra 25% in tariffs, which clothes made in The Netherlands do not have to pay. These types of laws are good for the people in the developed countries because they can sell their goods, but they are not good for developing countries because they have a disadvantage in this competition.
New technologies
Many of the world's new technologies, like computers and new medicine, are invented in the developed world. People in the developing world need to be able to use this technology. They can then use this to develop their countries.Landlocked and Small Island States
Landlocked countries like Zambia, Nepal, Bolivia and Mali have no harbours. The cost of transporting goods over land is higher than over sea, and so landlocked countries are at a disadvantage. Small Island States like the Maldives, Jamaica and Singapore have special problems also. Much of what they need cannot be produced on their islands and so must be imported. And what will happen when the sea level rises?Links
IMF on debt relief
Digital Divide
AID for trade
Small Island States
The Millenium Development Goals
PovertyEducation
Gender Inequality
Child Mortality
Maternal Health
Combat Disease
Sustainability
Global Partnership