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NEW YORK, Monday, July 14, 2014 – Lunte Member of Parliament Felix Mutati has urged donor countries and development partners to deliver on their commitments to Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
The Zambian parliamentarian was speaking at a panel discussion organized by the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
Mr Mutati expressed concern that the official development assistance delivered to LDCs was lower than the commitments pledged.
“For LDCs in general, we are not seeking for compassion in terms of support, it is the delivery of commitments such as the Montreal Commitment that were made…those commitments compelled us to behave and change our mindset in a particular way in terms of approaching our development agenda,” Mr Mutati said. “Post-2015, let us do what we commit and that is what is required by the rules of decency.”
The parliamentarian urged LDCs to tap into local entrepreneurship talent, which he said was in abundance.
“We have internal capacity which we should not overlook. Let us convert the informal sector into formal sector,” said Mr Mutati, adding that LDCs should foster regional integration.
He called for elimination of bureaucracy at borders to enhance trade.
Mr Mutati said improving the taxation systems and establishing facilities like One-Border-Posts would reduce transaction costs for LDCs.
Other panelists at this discussion held at UN Headquarters in New York were Bangladesh Minister of Finance Mr Abul Maal Muhith, Rwanda’s Finance and Economic Planning Minister Mr Claver Gatete and Bond for International Development head of policy and public affairs Ms Joanna Rea.
The panelists emphasized the need to strengthen effectiveness of development cooperation and delivery of development results in LDCs.
UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), Mr Gyan Chandra Acharya and Swiss Agency for Development assistant director general Ambassador Pio Wennubst highlighted the importance of support to LDCs, the need for increased mobilization of different types of resources and strengthening policy coherence at all levels.
Issued by:
CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA (Mr.)
First Secretary for Press and Public Relations
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations
Yes the better honor their responsibility