Developed countries should provide more financial and
technological aid to developing countries as a way to help the
world's poverty reduction efforts, a senior Chinese diplomat said
on Wednesday.
"Poverty elimination is on top of the agenda of the Millenium
Development Goals (MDGs). However, there are still one billion
people living in extreme poverty. We have a long way to go to
eliminate poverty," said Li Baodong, Chinese ambassador to the
United Nations Office in Geneva.
Addressing a high-level meeting of the UN Economic and Social
Council, Li said efficient financial and technological support to
developing countries were essential for the realization of the MDGs
before the 2015 deadline.
"Lack of capital and technology has long hindered the
poverty-alleviation efforts and economic growth of developing
nations," L isaid.
To address the huge funding shortfall, developed countries
should fulfill their commitment of devoting 0.7 percent of Gross
National Income to Official Development Assistance, he added.
Li also called on industrial nations to "rise above the
short-sighted commercial interests, ease technology monopoly and
step up transfer of technology so that some key technologies can be
affordable and applicable to developing countries."
The ambassador said that the world needs a true global
partnership for development, the core of which lies in common
responsibility and cooperation.
While developing countries have the primary responsibility for
their own development, the international community should reform
the existing international economic system and allow developing
countries greater voice and participation.
That is to "ensure sound economic globalization and create an
enabling external environment for poverty elimination and economic
growth of developing countries," Li said.
Li also called on developed countries to show greater political
goodwill to push forward the long-stalled Doha Round of trade
negotiations.
As the purpose of the Doha Round is to promote development, "the
negotiations should see to it that the developing members get
tangible benefits and that the global economy grows in a balanced
and harmonious manner," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2007)
