"We must follow up our UN commitments and promote measures to reduce poverty and improve the daily lives of people in the least developed countries (LDCs). In order to do this we must increase development assistance, improve market access, provide debt relief and cooperate on the promotion of good governance in these countries. These measures are all inter-related," said the Minister. She also pointed out that this will require measures on the part of both the international community and the LDCs themselves.

"The least developed countries must themselves continue and intensify their efforts to improve the internal operating parameters – they must combat corruption and the spread of AIDS and establish good governance," said Ms Sydnes.

Norway will chair a working group in Brussels that is negotiating the new programme of action for LDCs for the next 10 years.

The Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries is being opened today in Brussels by Kofi Annan. Minister of International Development Anne Kristin Sydnes is chairing the session on governance, peace and social stability. Norway attaches great importance to international cooperation in the efforts to improve the situation of the LDCs.

More information can be obtained from www.unctad.org.

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