Voices of the Least Developed countries of Asia and the Pacific : achieving the Millennium Development Goals through a global partnership

Abstract

Asia-Pacific is a region of contrasts. It has some of the fastest-growing economies of the world while, at the same time, the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) continue to face persistent challenges. As a whole,the region has made significant inroads into poverty reduction with progress toward the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). China and India, together accounting for nearly 40 percent of the world's population and ranking among the fastest-growing countries, account for most of this progress, along with the "tiger" economies of East and South-East Asia. Due to the tyranny of averages, the relatively poor performance of the Asia-Pacific LDCs gets overshadowed. Only a more disaggregated appraisal reveals the far more limited gains in the LDCs1. Thus, the dynamism of Asia represents both a challenge and an opportunity. It could increase inequalities that contribute to growing tensions. It also could generate resources and opportunities. Attainment of the MDGs in Asia and the Pacific as a whole will be marked by the far more limited progress made by the 14 LDCs of the region.