"Without Least Developed Countries there would be no MDGs"

In preparation for the Summit on Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV) which will take place in Turkey next year Social Watch is participating in a series of events at the regional level and international level.  Most recently Social Watch was invited to participate on May 19, 2010 in a Panel Event on Resource Mobilization for LDCs’ Sustainable Growth and Development at Columbia University.  

The Panel was organized by the Permanent Mission of Turkey in collaboration with UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS the coordinator of the LDC-IV process).

Natalia Cardona, Advocacy Coordinator at Social Watch, highlighted slow progress towards social inclusion and participation in many LDCs and stressed the need for better monitoring and follow-up mechanisms of commitments made by developed countries to move beyond business as usual.

Participants in the panel included: Prof. Sakiko Fukuda-Parr--International Affairs, New School, and Member of the UN Committee of Development Policy; Ms. Natalia Cardona--Advocacy Coordinator, Social Watch, Ms. Lakshmi Puri Ambassador--Director, UN-OHRLLS; Mr. Julius Kiiza Visiting Fellow, Center for Global Development; and Mr. Kemal Dervis, Vice-President of the Global Economy and Development at Brookings Institution and former UNDP administrator.  

To read the Social Watch presentation please click here.

To read more about the event please click here.