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Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries 30 May - 3 June 2011, Turkey

Promoting Universal Access to Essential Services in LDCs March 10, 2011

The greatest asset of any country, including LDCs, is its women, men and children – its citizens. Human development is also at the essence of the MDGs where strong evidence suggests that while many developing countries are advancing steadily towards the attaining the MDGs, LDCs continue to fall further behind others on most indicators.

There is a need for increased investment in the human, physical, and institutional infrastructures including those in the health, education, water and energy sectors. The development and improvement of services in the aforementioned sectors are intrinsically linked to creating an enabling environment where economic growth, particularly among the poorest of the poor, can be nurtured.

Output: LDC specific studies and background notes on the subject matter could be prepared by relevant UN departments and entities as well.

Purpose and objective: The purpose and objective of the meeting will be to promote access to basic services in LDCs. This could involve a stock taking of the progress achieved and the identification of remaining gaps and challenges. The meeting could also point the way forward for all stakeholders on the subject matter. This is premised on the fact that the promotion of access to basic services in LDCs for their citizens will in-turn boosts the development prognosis of LDCs.

Issues: Are there any best practices and success stories on this matter? What are these successes and how were they obtained? Can they be replicated in others LDCs as well? What are the constraints and challenges faced by LDCs in providing universal access to essential services to their citizens? How can resources be mobilised to support the efforts of LDCs in achieving universal access to essential services for their populations? How can development partners, both governmental and corporations from the north and south, be encouraged to invest more in social entrepreneurial projects with promotion of access to basic services objectives? The possibility of special LDCs-wide initiative in specific areas like health, education, water and sanitation, energy and shelter infrastructures fund for LDCs could also be explored.

Outcome and way forward: It is envisaged that the outcome of the pre-conference event on promoting universal access to essential services would contribute to shape the global policy outcomes of the LDC IV Conference on this issue. It is also envisaged that the outcome of the pre-conference event would identify concrete deliverables that would contribute to can action oriented Istanbul Programme of Action for the 2011-2021 decade to be adopted at the Fourth UN LDC conference that in turn will contribute towards making a difference on the ground in the lives of the poorest of the poor in the LDCs.

Participation: Key policy makers from department of planning ministries, or other relevant ministries including up to 14 ministers from identified LDCs would be brought to New York. High level participation from UN departments and entities, including, ILO, DESA (incl. UN-Water and UN Energy), WHO, UNESCO/IBE, UNHabitat, UNIDO, UNCTAD, UNICEF, PR of LDCs and partner countries such as policy makers dealing with development cooperation. Resource persons who can share success stories and replicate their experiences from other countries, including developing countries would also participate.

Background Documents  

Energy

Water and Sanitation

Health

Education

Other Documents

 

For Further Information, Please contact:

Mr. Peter Kenilorea

Tel: +1 212 963 9460
Email: kenilorea@un.org