Ending the hypocrisy and finally acting: The United Nations secretary-general lashed out on Saturday at the global economic system, which he said only benefits rich countries, at the opening of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) summit in Doha.
Antonio Guterres asked the developed countries for aid of some 500,000 million dollars a year for the poorest countries on the planet, “trapped in vicious circles” that prevent the reform of their economies and the refloating of their education and health systems.
“Economic development is difficult when countries lack resources, are crippled by debt and are still grappling with the historical injustice of an unequal response to Covid-19,” he said as poorer countries have repeatedly denounced unfair distribution of vaccines. , concentrated in Europe. and North America.
“A system designed by the rich”
“Fighting a climate catastrophe that you have in no way caused is a challenge when the cost of capital skyrockets” and the financial aid received is “a drop in the ocean”, added Antonio Guterres.
“Our global financial system was designed by rich countries, largely for their benefit,” he said. “Without cash, many of you are being driven out of the capital markets by predatory interest rates.”
Leaders and representatives from 33 African countries, 12 Asia-Pacific countries and Haiti met in Doha five decades after the UN created the category of LDCs to provide special international support to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members.
Last year, the UN General Assembly adopted an action plan for these countries. But no major financial pledges are expected during the summit, which has been postponed twice due to the coronavirus.
Afghanistan and Burma are not present, their governments are not recognized by the members of the UN.
“Food on the Table”
And no head of state or government of a rich country was expected in the Qatari capital, based on a colossal reserve of gasoline and whose wide avenues are traveled by luxurious air-conditioned 4x4s.
“Fossil energy giants make huge profits when millions of people in their countries cannot put food on the table,” denounced the Secretary General.
Rich countries have not followed through on their promises to give between 0.15 and 0.20% of their gross domestic product to LDCs, caught “in the perfect storm to perpetuate poverty and injustice”, according to Antonio Guterres.
Their situation was further exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which pitted two essential food producers against the planet and disrupted international distribution channels.
“Broken promises”
Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera, who is chairing the summit, also denounced “broken promises” by the international community. The aid “is not a favor or an act of charity” but a “moral responsibility,” he said.
According to the World Bank, the median salary in Afghanistan is estimated at a few hundred dollars a year, compared to $65,000 in the United States. Barely half of the poorest have electricity and only one in five people can connect to the internet, according to the UN.
Since 1971, the number of LDCs, 24 at the beginning, has nearly doubled. Thanks to their designation among the most disadvantaged countries, they benefit from trade privileges and easier access to aid and other financing.
Tiny Bhutan is expected to “graduate” from PMA status this year. Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Angola, Sao Tome and Principe, and the Solomon Islands are expected to follow by 2026.
Source: BFM TV
