How can the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs) overcome the development challenges they face and meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015? This report by UNDP and UN-OHRLLS argues that good governance, whilst not sufficient on its own, is indespensable for countries to sustain progress over the longer term. It identifies and examines some of the key issues around improving national and international governance.
LDCs have seen substantial improvements in human development, despite severe capacity constraints and a limited role in global trading and financial systems. Nevertheless, they continue to face important development and governance challenges. The Brussels Programme of Action (BPoA) 2001-2010, adopted by the UN, set out policies to promote the long-term economic growth, sustainable human development and successful integration of LDCs into the global economy. Open and transparent development cooperation, underpinned by strong political will, can support substantial transformation in LDCs. Success will depend on effective follow-up and implementation, monitoring and review at national, regional and global levels.
Governance issues remain crucial to all development strategies. Some of the key messages of this report are that:
- Democratic governance expands the range of options for human development. A central challenge for deepening democracy is building and strengthening the key institutions of democratic governance.
- The challenges to state capacity in LDCs are both quantatively and qualitatively different from the challenges faced by governments in other countries. Corruption has a uniquely corrosive effect on state capacity and governance in general.
- Development challenges cannot be addressed by the state alone. Other, non-state agents, including civil society organisations and the private sector, are key stakeholders for sustainable development and democratic governance.
- Most LDCs are now multiparty democracies and have made important advances in electoral processes. However, effective checks and balances between the different powers of the state still need to be strengthened. The lack of balance between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary limits the ability of each to use its authority effectively.
- LDCs face an unfavourable global governance structure. In areas of trade there are significant tariff and non-tariff barriers. The rules and tools of global governance are decided by richer countries.
There is still much work to be done at national and international levels to help improve the lives of people living in LDCs:
- Capacity development needs to be oriented to create a public administration that embodies core values of democratic governance: transparency, accountability, predictability, responsiveness and participation.
- Dialogue and cooperation between state and non-state actors are essential for promoting development and democratic governance.
- The rule of law is crucial for governance and sustainable development. This means that all persons and institutions, including non-state actors, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated. The rule of law should be consistent with and informed by international human rights norms and standards.
- Democratic governance in LDCs does not occur in isolation; it requires good international governance.
