SITUATION OF WORLD’S LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES NOT MUCH BETTER SINCE 2001

GENEVA, 17 July (UN Information Service) -- Halting progress in the world’s 49 least developed countries (LDC’s) was reported this week to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), along with a call to set their plight higher on the international agenda.

ECOSOC CONTINUES CONSIDERATION OF FOLLOW-UP TO MAJOR

UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCES, SUMMITS

Speakers Stress Need for Monitoring Mechanisms, Political

Will, Harmonization, and Increased Dialogue with Bretton Woods Institutions

(Reissued as received.)

ECOSOC ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON ITS ROLE IN IMPLEMENTATION

OF OUTCOMES OF MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

Begins Consideration of General Segment On Implementation of Monterrey Consensus and Brussels Programme of Action

(Reissued as received.)

ECOSOC ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON COORDINATION OF UN EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

AS IT CONCLUDES HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS SEGMENT

Text Addresses Humanitarian Developments,

Challenges; Transition from Relief to Development

(Reissued as received.)

ECOSOC CONTINUES GENERAL DISCUSSION UNDER ITS HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS SEGMENT

Importance of Increased, Balanced Funding for Humanitarian Assistance Stressed;

Praise for Incorporation of HIV/AIDS Programming in Humanitarian Strategies Voiced

(Reissued as received.)

ECOSOC HOLDS PANEL ON EFFECTS OF HIV/AIDS AND OTHER WIDESPREAD DISEASES

ON HUMANITARIAN RELIEF OPERATIONS

Panellists Stress That Prevention, Response to Disease Outbreak

Is Everyone’s Business And That Coordinated Relief Operations Save Lives

(Reissued as received.)

ECOSOC HOLDS PANEL DISCUSSION ON TRANSITION FROM RELIEF TO DEVELOPMENT

Discusses Transitions in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka,

And Angola; Notes Lack of Focus on Natural Disasters

(Reissued as received.)

ECOSOC ENDORSES DECISION TO ESTABLISH WORLD SOLIDARITY FUND

TO ERADICATE POVERTY AND PROMOTE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Panel Held on Financing and Effectiveness of Humanitarian Assistance

(Reissued as received.)

ECOSOC ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES;

MAKES RECOMMENDATION ON UNFPA PERSONNEL MATTERS

Begins Consideration of Special Economic,

Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Assistance

(Reissued as received.)

ECOSOC RECOMMENDS MAKING WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION

SPECIALIZED AGENCY OF UNITED NATIONS

Considers Economic and Environmental Questions, Including International

Cooperation in Tax Matters and Status of International Civil Defence Organization

(Reissued as received.)