Akhir 25, 1432, March 30, 2011, SPA -- 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, a U.N. report released on Tuesday said. The report by a panel appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said enduring marginalization of the world's 48 poorest country points to "a future we cannot afford." Botswana, Cape Verde and Maldives were the three countries that advanced enough in recent years to drop the "least-developed" tag. The panel co-chaired by former Mali President Alpha Oumar Konare and former World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn said the world's poorest nations could make more progress by assuming more responsibility for their own development. But outside aid remains important, and could be more effective if tied to goals that can be measured, the panel said. The report said that steps that wealthier countries and international organizations can take to help the poorer nations include providing adequate aid that is more focused on specific areas, such as farm productivity and school enrolment, and working with the countries on ways to improve development. --MORE
