Least Developed Countries Coordination Unit (LDCCU) Office of the Executive Secretary UNESCAP

Workshop for National Focal Points on the Implementation of BPOA for LDCs, New York, May 2004 OHRLLS Presentation on Role & Activities of Regional Organizations & Commissions in the Implementation of BPOA for LDCs Prepared by: Aynul Hasan Chief, LDC Coordination Unit

FORMAT REASONS FOR VULNERABLE ECONOMIES ROLE OF REGIONAL COMMISSIONS IN BPOA WORK PROGRAMME & ACTIVITIES OF UNESCAP FOR LDCs

REASONS FOR VULNERABLE ECONOMIES (LDCs, LLDCs & SIDS) If left alone can all countries, particularly the vulnerable ones (LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS) be able to converge towards similar per capita income?

LUCAS GROWTH MODEL (JEP;2000) LUCAS MADE SOME PROPHETIC PROGNOSTICATIONS DUE TO TECHNOLOGICAL DIFFUSION ALL ECONOMIES WILL JOIN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION INCOME GROWTH WILL CONVERGE INCOME INEQUALITY BETWEEN NATIONS WILL DISAPPEAR If you are reading this (article) in the year I ask you: Who else told you what the macroeconomics of your country would look like, in advance, with such accuracy and economy?

Country A Growth Rate = 2.0% Country B Growth Rate = 4.5% Country C Growth Rate = 7.0% Country D Growth Rate = 9.5%

LUCAS GROWTH MODEL -WE HOPE LUCAS OPTIMISTIC FORECAST BECOMES REALITY SOONER THAN LATER BUT THE EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE IS JUST THE OPPOSITE -PER CAPITA INCOME GAP HAS DIVERGED FROM 19 TIMES IN 1985 TO 24 TIMES IN 2000 (WORLD DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS, 2003) -MODERN ECONOMIC GROWTH IS NOT RANDOMLY DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE POOR COUNTRIES.

ADDITIONAL VULNARABILITIES OF SIDS

Criteria used in determining the least developed country status: A comparison

Resources Mobilization in the Implementation of POA for LDCs for the decade Key Issues Due to low PCGDP and relative high PCC the saving rates are very low in LDCs Brussels POA calls for LDCs 7 % GDP growth and Investments rates of 25% of GDP

LUCAS GROWTH MODEL - STRUCTURAL IMPEDIMENTS SUCH AS: -LAND MASS -SIZE OF THE POPULATION -NATURAL RESOURCES -HUMAN CAPITAL ASSETS -GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION -ENVIRONMENT

Role of Regional Commissions in the implementation of BPOA NEED FOR REGIONAL REVIEWS Country level Review & Monitoring Global Big Country (Bangladesh) Small Country (Tuvalu) Regional Reviews

Role of Regional Commissions in BPOA Mandates in BPOA The relevant UN regional economic commissions should continue to ensure that the needs & problems of the LDCs are addressed as part of their ongoing work … Attention should be given to any need for strengthening capacities of the regional commissions in undertaking subregional & regional follow-up activities. (para 107)

Role of Regional Commissions in BPOA Mandates in BPOA …regional economic commissions should undertake, in close coordination with global- level and country-level follow-up process… periodic subregional and regional monitoring and review of progress in the implementation of BPOA. They should offer an opportunity for LDCs… to exchange experiences and seek solutions to common development problems … (BPOA, para 105)

UNESCAP Institutional Framework LDC Coordination Unit Executive Secretary Deputy Executive Secretary LDC Coordination Unit/ MDG Centre UNIS Programme of WorkProgramme Support Poverty and Development UNESCAP Pacific Operations Centre Statistics Trade and Investment Transport and Tourism Environment and Sustainable Development Info., Com. and Space Technology Emerging Social Issues Programme Management Administrative Services

UNESCAP WORK PROGRAMME Thematic Work Programme Poverty Reduction Emerging Social Issues Managing Globalization Poverty and Development UNESCAP Pacific Operations Centre Statistics Trade & Investment Transport & Tourism Environment & Sustainable Development Info., Com. and Space Technology Emerging Social Issues

UNESCAP Conference Structure & Legislative Bodies COMMISSION Legislative Bodies Committees & Sub-Committees Special Body for LDCs & LLDCs (meet every 2 nd Year- 2003) Special Body for SIDS (meet every 2 nd Year- 2004) Poverty Globalization Emerging Social Issues

UNESCAP Legislative Bodies Special Body for LDCs & LLDCs Special Body 2001 Special Body 2003 Adopted the Regional Action Plan for the 3 rd LDC BPOA Adopted the Regional Action Plan for the Almaty Programme of Action

Least Developed (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,Cambodia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Timor Leste and Vanuatu Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan 14 Asia-Pacific 50 worldwide LDCs 30 worldwide 12 Asia-Pacific LLDCs 4 LDCs are also LLDCs 5 LDCs are also PICs

UNESCAPs FRAMEWORK OF IMPLEMENTATION OF BPOA Implementation Freamework (Resolution… Regional Review & Monitoring Exchange of Views & Knowledge Capacity Building Timor-Leste Cambodia Myanmar Advisory Services Training Workshops (WTO, ICT, Poverty reduction, statistics Needs Assessment Annual Economic Surveys Biennial Regional MDG Reports Periodic LDC Series, Development Papers EGM on Challenges facing LDCs (Sep 2003) Regular Working Group Meeting

FUTURE REGIONAL LEVEL LDC ACTIVITIES 1. LDC PANEL DISCUSSION AT THE 60 th COMMISSION, Shanghai, April 2004 (jointly organized by UNESCAP & OHRLLS) Achieving the MDGs in the LDCs through Regional Development Cooperation Key Conclusions Establish a MDG Fund for the LDCs Establish a facility at ESCAP to carry out feasibility studies in the LDCs for possible foreign direct investment Establish a human resources development bank for common use by the LDCs

by commitment (percentage) Activities implemented in line with the Programme of Action for the LDCs

by countries (percentage) Activities implemented in line with Programme of Action for the LDCs

FUTURE REGIONAL LEVEL LDC ACTIVITIES 1.SIDE EVENT DURING THE SUB COMMITTEE ON POVERTY REDUCTION, Bangkok, 29 June 2004 Implementing partnerships for development in LDCs of Asia and the Pacific 2. SIDE EVENT DURING THE SUB COMMITTEE ON TRADE & INVESTMENT, Bangkok, October 2004 Asia-Pacific LDC Position on Doha Development Agenda

FUTURE REGIONAL LEVEL LDC ACTIVITIES 3. SPECIAL BODY FOR LDCs AND LLDCs Bangkok, 29 April 2005 Mid-term review of BPOA for Asia-Pacific LDCs Asia-Pacific LDC Position on Doha Development Agenda

Possible recommendations Establish clear communication channels with member countries. Ensure that needs of countries are taken into account in the preparation of work programme and projects. Assess the level of our technical assistance and advise countries of its availability. Allocate appropriate financial and staff resources to activities in these countries. Provide support for technical and economic cooperation among developing countries. Ensure that the cost of implementing activities does not affect delivery of activities to selected countries.

LDCCU NEEDS YOUR COOPERATION & SUPPORT TO WORK FOR LDCs UNESCAP THANK YOU