Akhir 24, 1432 H/March 29, 2011, SPA -- A new U.N. report said the world's least-developed countries have made only incremental progress in overcoming poverty in recent decades, with just three of 51 poor nations advancing enough to leave the group, according to AP. A blue-ribbon panel appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that permanent marginalization of the world's 48 poorest country points to «a future we cannot afford.» The group co-chaired by former Mali President Alpha Oumar Konare and former World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn added the world's poorest nations could make more progress by taking more responsibility for their own development. The panel pointed out that outside aid is still important and should be tied to goals that can be measured.
