Kathmandu, November 8:

Though it is the developed countries, which contribute more to the global climate change, food and fuel shortage and financial crisis, the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are the ones bearing the brunt of the crises, experts said here today.

To analyse the consequences of the global environmental, economic and other crises on LDCs as well as plan a way out of them, representatives of civil society organisations from 15 LDCs from Asia and the Pacific gathered here today for a two-day regional conference on ‘Asia Regional Consultation on Least Developed Country Issues’.

Dr Arjun Karki, chairperson of LDC Watch, said the fuel crisis and climate change were the most pressing issues for Nepal even as the country makes little or no contribution to these problems. “Participants in the conference will work out to find roles and responsibilities of the donor community, the UN and the LDCs to tackle the challenges.”

Dr Karki said the outcome would be submitted to a roundtable meeting at UN headquarters next week and the UN General Assembly to draw the donor community’s attention to the issues.

In 1971, the UN identified 24 countries as LDCs, recognising them as the most vulnerable countries and calling for LDCs-centred special measures incorporated into the global development strategies.

Three decades on, the number of LDCs rose to 49. The progress, if it is, is that the UN held three conferences on LDCs and formulated three specific Programmes of Action for the LDCs.

Addressing the inaugural session, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav said, “In spite of all these efforts, people’s overall socio-economic status in LDCs has not changed much.”

Yadav stressed on holistic approach both at national and international levels to address the widening gap between the rich and the poor. “The UN, Bretonwoods institutions and WTO should narrow down the income gaps,” he said.