A key recommendation of a recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which deals with trade, investment, and development issues, is for official development assistance to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to be channeled to the productive sector.
Although it is too early to know its full impact on ODA [Overseas Development Assistance] disbursements to LDCs, we hope that the health and wellbeing of the 1.1 billion people living in the world's most vulnerable countries is not severely affected.
The international community should aim to meet commitments made by many developed countries to achieve 0.7% of GNI [Gross National Income] for ODA and between 0.15% and 0.20% of GNI for ODA to LDCs.
Isn't it the case that donor countries usually tie ODA to specific sectors?
The important thing is to make sure that donor assistance goes to the right sectors, as identified by countries in their national development plans, as opposed to as desired by donors.
