UN Conference on Financing for Development

Gulp! I am shame-faced that I nearly forgot about this just-concluded UN-sponsored event at Doha, Qatar. As you've probably guessed by now, its main focus was on finding sources for LDC finance at a time when a global credit crunch is underway. Anyway, here is a smattering of largely self-explanatory press releases from the event on topics which have been covered in some detail at other times on this blog:

2 December 2008	Round table on systemic issues hears call for greater developing-world ‘voice’ in Bretton Woods system
2 December 2008	Conference succeeded in reaffirming need to continue development aid, says Secretary-General's envoy
2 December 2008	Final conference text to include plans for meeting on world financial crisis, Executive Secretary says
1 December 2008	Wealthy nations, others behind financial crisis must take responsibility, round table on debt told
1 December 2008	Round table moderator stresses need to reiterate calls for scaled-up aid in light of ‘changed global realities’
1 December 2008	UN officials call for ‘new global deal’ at press conference to launch report on world economy
1 December 2008	Continue struggle against pandemic, panellists urge at press conference to mark world aids day
1 December 2008	Coordinated, massive and swift economic stimulus required to counteract synchronized global downturn, new UN report asserts

Here is the event site and more releases like those above. Although I am largely sympathetic to the UN, why do their events garner so little publicity? The IMF and World Bank snub of the event certainly doesn't bode well. Pascal Lamy was there though, presumably to help drum up LDC support for a second term as WTO Director-General.