Lack of technological advancement marginalised LCDs: Gurung

Parshuram Meghi Gurung, a member of the Nepal delegation at the 62 nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, said that underdevelopment, weak capacity, unemployment, shrinking economic activities, lack of access to modern technology and absence of enabling international environment have pushed the Least Developed Countries towards marginalisation.

Making a statement at the Second Committee on agenda item concerning countries in special situations, he highlighted the special needs of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) on Tuesday in New York, He emphasised the importance
of effective implementation of the Brussels Program of Action for the LDCs and the Almaty Program of Actions for LLDCs and their transit neighbors.

Gurung said the UN system can play critical role in advancement of the interest of the countries with special needs by highlighting the progress and identifying implementation gaps in the respective programmes.

He said free and unhindered access to and from the Sea is an inherent right to landlocked countries that needs to be respected by all. He also informed the Committee about Nepal's new democratic political transformation process, which has focused on fostering sustained peace and promoting conditions for sustainable and inclusive development.

Similarly, member of the delegation Bamadev Dhungana addressing the session on eradication of poverty and other development issues, highlighted widespread poverty, especially in least developed countries, continues to undermine global efforts for socio-economic development and the achievement of the Millenniums Development Goals (MDGs).

He emphasised on the value of technological advancement, human resource development and the role of science and technology in stimulating innovation as well as in underpinning a culture of
knowledge and learning for development.

Likewise, Chitra Bahadur K C, speaking at the Fourth Committee under agenda item "Assistance to Mine Action" said that the proliferation and use of mines had been the most horrendous aspects of many conflicts in various parts of the world, adding that in many situations, the landmines had adversely affected the rural economy heavily dependent on agriculture, shattered socio-economic development and torn the fabric of societies.

Stating that as a country emerging from an armed conflict spanning over a decade, he observed that Nepal remained alive to the effects of the mines and other explosives.

He mentioned that mine clearance was among the various aspects of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal Maoists (CPN-M) last year. nepalnews.com ia Nov 07 07