At the national level, the development of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) has been constrained by shortcomings in physical infrastructure and human resources development; low levels of domestic resource mobilization; shortcomings in macroeconomic policy design and management; severe socio-economic consequences of armed conflicts and conflict situations afflicting a significant number of LDCs; a high rate of population growth; a generally disappointing performance in the agricultural and rural sector; an inability to integrate women adequately as full agents and beneficiaries of development; and a lack of appropriate policies and of legal and institutional frameworks for the promotion of private entrepreneurship.
The development of LDCs has also been limited by their continued vulnerability to natural disasters, and where natural disasters have occurred, efforts have often concentrated on immediate disaster relief, without always fully addressing the requirements of mitigating the adverse impact of natural disasters and of long-term reconstruction.
The "Partnership for Growth and Development" adopted by UNCTAD IX defined LDCs as a cross-cutting issue in UNCTAD's work and stated that LDCs should have priority in the assistance provided by UNCTAD. UNCTAD is also the focal point for LDCs of the United Nations system. Regrettably, the results have not been up to expectations. The LDCs' specific problems have not been addressed in a sufficiently integrated manner or received adequate priority.
The Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, to be hosted by the European Union in Brussels in the year 2001, will be a major event and an important occasion to renew the collective commitment of the international community to assist LDCs in their efforts to improve their socio-economic conditions and promote their progressive integration into the world economy.