UNECA The Brussels Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries : Some lessons on the way forward

UNECA Overview Progress towards to human assets in African LDCs Equity in access Some general implications Policy implications Way Forward

UNECA Access to social services African LDCs enrolment rates increased by twenty percentage points to 70% by 2010 from a low 50% in The average U5 mortality rate reduced marginally from per 1,000 live births in 2000 to in 2007 but progress has been accelerated over the period Improvements in improved water supply and to a smaller extent improved sanitation has been driven by urban areas

UNECA Equity in access Completion rates vary across income gradients (highest/lowest ratio) form a high 47 to 4.6 in a selection of 11 African LDCs Under five mortality rates vary across the rural/urban divide from 1.7 to 1.3 and again the income gradient differs from 2.1 to 0.9 in the 11 African LDCs investigated The evidence on improved water provision shows that economic status and place of resident are discerning aspects of inequity of delivery, whilst gender inequalities seem to be rare. Access to improved sanitation also suffers from income gradient and location bias combined with a more marked gender difference than water.

UNECA Some general implication Progress towards building human capacity has been of three types –Domestic and international support and adequate resource allocation resulted in relatively fast progress –Large investment requirements and time lags resulted in slower progress –International and national commitment combined with income consistency problems combined with household income have progressed the slowest

UNECA Some general implications Wealth location and gender differences drag down averages towards building human capacitys Contribute to marginilization of the poorer, rural areas and women from access to services Reinforce an unbalanced growth with large swathes of the population that do not particpate in economic activities Disaggregation counts and targets should capture all society Universal access to social services must be real and effective

UNECA Tentaive Policy implications Policy frameworks for coherence inclusiveness and integration (adaptation of EU framework) to test equity concerns: –Integration in poverty reduction strategy favours greater equity –Vertical and horizontal coherence of line Ministries and Ministry of finance assist increased equity –Inclusiveness through equity targets are necessary

UNECA Uganda- Access to water and sanitation

UNECA Zambia Access to water and sanitation

UNECA Way forward A strong recognition and political leverage for LDCs is crucial for action at the international, regional and national level. Data used in most national reports relied on MDG data and a coherent data repository that allow for comparative regional analysis is vital. Knowledge sharing among LDCs would assist LDC policy makers in better informed peer learning The MDG consistent poverty reduction strategies/ national development plans that has served for improved coherence and alignment can serve as a model for an improved LDC Plan of Action

UNECA Way forward Equity surveillance systems with specific targets and indicators at the national and sub-national levels for effective monitoring need to be implemented it is critical to integrate equity concerns Economic growth strategies that ensure equitable and efficient allocation of national resources is vital An effective decentralization of public services Finally, regional institutions and processes can add impetus to efforts to mainstream equity concerns and to mainstream Plans of Action for LDCs within their institutional and policy fora