PROSPERITY TIED TO GOOD GOVERNANCE By Thalif DeenUNITED NATIONS - The economic success stories of the world's 50 poorest nations are also predicated on "good governance", including multi-party democracy, rule of law, gender empowerment, respect for human rights and transparency and accountability, according to the United Nations.
GLOBAL FUND LAUNCHED FOR LIFESAVING DRUGS By Alejandro KirkUNITED NATIONS - A global fund to purchase massive amounts of medicines for developing countries with money coming from "solidarity" flight taxes and other innovative financing systems was launched here Tuesday, sponsored by five countries.
DECLARATION HIGHLIGHTS FAILED COMMITMENTS By Mithre J. SandrasagraUNITED NATIONS - As a two-day High Level Meeting of the General Assembly to assess the progress of fighting poverty in the 50 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) came to a close here Tuesday, heads of State and delegates adopted a declaration recommitting themselves to a comprehensive poverty reduction programme.
A PARTNERSHIP AMONG EQUALS By Alejandro KirkUNITED NATIONS - Developed and developing countries should work together as equal partners in strengthening local resources and values, rather than trying to reproduce the "distorted" model of northern countries, Italy's Deputy Foreign Minister Patrizia Sentinelli told IPS.
WORLD'S POOREST NATIONS SLOWLY GET ONLINE By Thalif DeenUNITED NATIONS - An African diplomat from one of the world's 50 poorest nations, described as least developed countries (LDCs), once complained that it took about five to 10 years to get a landline telephone connection in his home country -- and an additional five years to get a dial tone on the new phone.
